The Shute Shield has been run and won for another year, with Randwick claiming the 2023 final after holding off Norths in a thrilling grand final at Leichhardt Oval late last month. 

Not it’s time to select the Shute Shield team of the year and we’d like the fans and our Rugby News readers to help. 

Over the coming weeks, all readers will be able to vote for one player in each position. If an individual votes more than once (in each position category), their votes will not be counted. 

To be eligible to be nominated for the Shute Shield team of the year, players must have: 

• Polled at last 7 Catchpole Medal votes in 2023, as voted by Shute Shield coaches after each regular season match
• Scored eight or more tries this in the regular season

In certain positions, the top six or seven players that met this criteria were nominated. 

Use the form at the bottom of the article to enter your vote before the end of September. The votes will then be tallied and the Shute Shield team of the year will be announced in early October.

Centres

Bayley Kuenzle – Southern Districts

Despite only playing six matches for Southern Districts after returning from the Western Force, utility back Bayley Kuenzle received 10 Catchpole Medal votes. 

Ben Pollack – Gordon

Gordon centre Ben Pollack made the Stags No.13 jersey his own this year. He scored seven tries this season and ranked highly for running metres, line breaks and carries. 

Ofa Manuofetoa – Manly

When Ofa Manuofetoa got Manly over the advantage line, Manly played well and typically won. In the top five for running metres and total carries and in the top 10 for offloads, Manuofetoa was a standout this season. 

Jackson Ropata – Southern Districts

Ropata was the find of the season for the Rebels. Last year, Ropata could have been playing schoolboy rugby. This year, he earned Junior Wallabies selection after starring for the Rebels in the opening few rounds of the season. 

Tyson Davis – Warringah

Another player who performed well in an underperforming team, Tyson Davis finished the season ranked first for total carries, second for total metres and eighth for line breaks.