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.

Flankers

Michael Icely – Eastwood

The 2023 Catchpole Medal winner scored 11 tries and ranked in the top 10 for carries, dominant tackles and line breaks. He looks destined to play more professional rugby sometime soon. 

Zac Barnabas – Manly

The 2023 Rookie of the Year probably would have won the Catchpole Medal in most other seasons based on his performances this year. Barnabas finished the season with 39 pilfers. Milan Basson was second on that list with 19.  

Chlayton Frans – Hunter Wildfires

Another player who featured in every regular season match in 2023, Wildfires No.6 Chlayton Frans was one of the best recruits of the season across the competition. 

Jack McCalman – Sydney Uni

Uni skipper Jack McCalman rarely has a bad performance and that continued in 2023, despite the fact the Students missed out on the playoffs.

Archie Gavin – Eastern Suburbs 

The heart and soul of the Beasties, Easts skipped and No.7 Archie Gavin made eight more dominant tackles than any other player in the Shute Shield this year. 

Archie Hosking – Southern Districts

Towards the backend of the season, Souths backrower Archie Hosking was one of the form players of the competition. The English import is still only 22 and will only keep getting better. Ranked high in tackle breaks, carries and dominant tackles.