Just over seven month since Sam Ward and Warringah claimed the 2017 Shute Shield premiership in emphatic style at North Sydney Oval, the 2018 season will kick off this weekend.

Rugby News spoke to all 12 coaches to find out how they’ve spent the summer months and what we can expect from their side this season.

Eastern Suburbs – 2017 result: 9th 

After missing the finals again in 2017, Eastern Suburbs have appointed their third coach in three years with colts mentor Pauli Taumoepeau set to take the reigns in 2018.

The Beasties will return to Woollahra Oval after what can only be described as a disastrous season both on and off the field last year and want to play finals footy in 2018 after several seasons of rebuilding.

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Eastwood – 2017 result: Preliminary finalists

After a rollercoaster season, Eastwood shocked many in the playoffs last year when they beat minor premiers Manly, then almost knocked off Norths to book a spot in the grand final.

The Woodies blooded plenty of young talent over the past two seasons and have welcomed back some big names from representative duties, while premiership winning coach John Manenti has also returned as head coach.

Manenti is currently the interim head coach of the Australian women’s sevens side and will likely be given the full time role after the Commonwealth Games if common sense prevails.

But he’ll stay with Eastwood regardless and coach a side that is starting to look scarily like the team that claimed back to back premierships in 2014 and 2015.

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Gordon – 2017 result: 10th

Led by the competition’s leading try scorer Paula Balakena, Gordon showed glimpses of their best in 2017 but struggled towards the back end of the season as their injury list grew.

Coach Mark Philp has spent the summer building his squad’s resilience, both physically and mentally, and he’s hopeful that might be the different this season.

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Manly – 2017 result: Minor premiers and preliminary finalists

After leading the competition for almost the entire season and claiming the minor premiership, the wheels came off for Manly in the playoffs after being ambushed by Eastwood in the opening 20 minutes of the finals.

Several injuries in that match were too much to overcome for the competition favourites, who lost again a week later to Warringah and missed another opportunity to claim an illusive premiership.

But 2018 presents a new challenge for Billy Melrose’s side and Marlins fans will be hopeful that the addition of some new and returning talent will be enough to bring the Shute Shield trophy back to Manly Oval.

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Northern Suburbs – 2017 result: Grand finalists

Norths came close to winning back to back premierships last year but still did enough to help coach Simon Cron and a number of his stars pick up contracts at the Waratahs.

While there will be a few new faces at North Sydney Oval this year, former Randwick coach Shannon Fraser has inherited one of the most experienced and talented, albeit new look, squads in the competition and expectations for the Shoreman are as high as ever.

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Parramatta – 2017 result: 11th

Despite heading into the 2017 season with plenty of momentum on and off the field, Parramatta were unable to find their best last year and finished the season with just three wins.

But Paul Hardwick’s side have regrouped over summer, added some new and old faces to their squad and altered their playing style to suit a young group who are hungry for more success.

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Penrith – 2017 result: 12th

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding Penrith’s future in the Shute Shield competition and the Sydney Rugby Union is expected to reevaluate their involvement based on playing numbers in the opening rounds.

However inside the club, new coaches Chip Carroll and Peter Niumata are working hard to not just get teams on the field, but to produce competitive sides week in, week out this season.

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Randwick – 2017 result: Semi finalists

After falling short in the playoffs two years in a row, former Wallaby Owen Finegan has taken the reigns at Randwick in 2018, after assisting Shannon Fraser last season.

The abrasive backrower will be without some big names in 2018, but he seems confident his maturing squad are ready to take the next step on the back of a restructured and constructive preseason.

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Southern Districts – 2017 result: Semi finalists

Southern Districts were the form side of the competition at the back end of last season but came undone in the opening week of the playoffs, losing to Norths 47-18.

Manly’s loss to Eastwood a day earlier meant that Souths’ season was over, despite finishing second, and the Rebels had let another premiership opportunity slip through their fingers.

The majority of Matt Barr’s squad have returned in 2018 and a few key recruits could help the Rebels find what they’ve been looking for over a number of years.

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Sydney University – 2017 result: 7th

Just a year after losing to Norths in the 2016 decider, Sydney Uni were uncharacteristically inconsistent in 2017 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

Club stalwarts Tim Davidson and Tom Carter stood down at the end of the season, giving new coach Rob Taylor a chance to inherit a young Students squad with plenty of up and coming talent.

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Warringah – 2017 result: Premiers

Warringah experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as a club in 2017. In his first year at the club, coach Darren Coleman transformed the perennial underachievers into a premiership side, all while mourning the tragic loss of lower grade player Lachie Ward.

In 2018, the hunters will become the hunted and Coleman is well aware that his side will have a target on their back all season.

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West Harbour – 2017 result: 8th

After starting the 2017 season with just one win from their first five matches, West Harbour found their groove towards the end of the season and fell just short of a long awaited finals berth, after winning their final seven matches.

Star playmaker and Catchpole Medal winner Tayler Adams’ form was good enough to earn him Super Rugby contract but coach Todd Louden seems to have found a more than adequate replacement, who will lead a fitter, tougher and stronger Pirates outfit around Concord Oval this year.

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