Shute Shield’s 50 most influential players: 30-21
The June long weekend comes just over halfway through the 2023 Shute Shield regular season and we’ve now had plenty of time to take a look at all 12 sides.
So with no matches over the weekend, we thought we’d pull together a list of the 50 most influential players in the Shute Shield, based solely off their performances so far this season.
The list was compiled based on conversations with all 12 Shute Shield coaches and a number of key competition statistics.
To be eligible for the list, players must have played at least five of the 10 competition games so far this season.
- Yool Yool – Manly
Few players can create something out of nothing quite like Manly winger Yool Yool. On top of having the best name in the Shute Shield, Yool also leads the competition in linebreaks with 15 from 10 matches so far this year.
- Chlayton Frans – Hunter
Former Auckland Blues academy player Chlayton Frans is one of a number of Hunter forwards that have had a big impact since arriving in Newcastle over summer. Frans is a big body, he’s strong at lineout time and he’s made more linebreaks than any other No.6 in the competition so far this season.
- Harrison Goddard – Gordon
Limited time in the Shute Shield so far this season has robbed Harrison Goddard of a spot far higher up this list. Goddard can spark the Stags attack from the base of the ruck, or provide quick service and allow his outside backs to play with front foot ball. He’ll have a big impact at the back end of this season.
- Seb Cameron – Northern Suburbs
Arguably the best finisher in the competition, while Seb Cameron is playing on the end of a very, very good backline, he rarely fails to finish when given the opportunity. In 10 games so far this year, he’s made 13 linebreaks and scored seven tries.
- Teddy Wilson – Eastern Suburbs
Like Goddard, Wilson would likely be a lot higher on this list if he wasn’t splitting his time before the Beasties, Tahs and Junior Wallabies. Wilson is a future Wallaby, there’s little doubt about it at this stage. He can speed up a game almost as well as he can control it and plays with maturity well beyond his years. Look out if Wilson and the Beasties sneak into the finals.
- Ben Houston – Randwick
Back at Coogee after a stint on the dark side, Houston is one of the most consistent performers in the competition. The Randwick backrower ranks in the top five for tackles made and lineouts stolen and just outside the top 10 for linebreaks. He rarely has a bad game.
- Justin Marsters – West Harbour
West Harbour outside back Justin Marsters is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the competition. He leads the competition in offloads, by quite some way, ranks in the top three for carries and metres gained and in defence, averages just under one pilfer per match.
- Justin Mataele – Manly
One of, if not the biggest improver in the competition this year and extremely underrated. Manly have the best lineout in the competition and Mataele is their No.1 target. He leads the competition in lineout takes and is second for lineout steals. He’s also extremely mobile and valuable around the park and at 24, is probably a year or two off his prime playing years as a lock. Based on that, he should be a sniff at higher honours.
- Tiueti Asi – Hunter
31-year old club rugby journeyman Tiueti Asi is in career best form in Newcastle this season. The No.8 ranks in the top three for offloads and the top 10 for carries. He seems to break teams open in defence and swing momentum Hunter’s way in close to every match he plays.
- Max Clementson – West Harbour
Former England 7s player Max Clementon has set new standards at West Harbour both on and off the field since arriving over summer and the talented forwards around him have taken a big step forward with him. The super fit backrower, along with coach Cam Treloar, have turned the Pirates into the most improved side this year. They are in the fight every week and they are going to cause more upsets in the remaining rounds.