Southern Districts were the form team heading into the 2017 Shute Shield finals after winning nine straight matches, before their season was cut short by Northern Suburbs who ambushed the Rebels at Forshaw for the second straight season. Despite finishing second, the loss saw the Rebels eliminated in the opening week of the playoffs ending any hope of an illusive first premiership for the club. Overview with Matt Barr:  “It was certainly disappointing to go out the way we did. We had won nine straight going into that game and we had a lot of confidence but unfortunately, we were beaten on the day by a far better side,” Barr reflected. “We had a slow start to the season and were 4-5 at the halfway mark. It took us a bit of time to get some of the parts of the game that we introduced right but eventually it all clicked and we had a great second half to the season. “In the semi final against Norths, we lacked urgency at the breakdown and Norths defended really well