We’re into the backend of the Shute Shield regular season and as the race towards this year’s finals series heats up, we asked the Shute Shield coaches who the most influential player in the competition was.

Here’s what they had to say:

David Telfer – Eastwood 

“Outside of our own players, Teddy Wilson. At this level he is guaranteed to score or set up at least two tries a game.”

Ben Batger – Eastern Suburbs

“I’d like to think a couple of our boys are pretty hand. Guys like Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen are hugely influential.

“Then looking around at the rest of the comp, I think Coby Miln at Warringah, Harry Burey at Norths and Ben Houston at Randwick are very important to their teams.

Harry Fehily – Gordon

“The Suesue brothers at the Two Blues. They make that team tick.”

Scott Coleman – Hunter

“Kurtley Beale was by far. He only got to play one Shute Shield game and unfortunately it was against us,” Coleman said.

“But it was an amazing learning experience for our players.

“Now it would have to be Teddy Wilson. He adds at least easy 14 to 21 points for Eastern Suburbs when he plays.”

Zak Beer – Norths

“The Suesue brothers from the Two Blues. When they’re on their game they’re a great side to watch.”

Steve Hoiles – Randwick

“I honestly can’t single one player out. There is a lot of quality right across the competition.”

Todd Louden – Sydney Uni

“Like the NFL, rugby quarterbacks (Coby) Miln, (Jack) Bowen, and (Andrew) Deegan are the most influential players as they direct their teams around the field.

“I don’t look past the work and influence upfront of the forwards though and there are some very influential forwards in the Shute Shield this year.”

Joe Barakat – Southern Districts

“Coby Miln has kept the scoreboard ticking over at Warringah so far this season and is a big reason why they are leading the competition.”

Josh Holmes – Warringah 

“I think Jack Bowen is having a good season and has been pretty influential in Easts being one of the tops teams this year. He has a good balance between his running and kicking game.”

Cam Treloar – West Harbour

“I think Milan Basson is huge for his team and a massive presence in the competition. There isn’t much that he doesn’t do really well and he’s also a good leader.

“The other obvious answer is Coby Miln, that boot gets the Rats in the right area and he can attack well too.”

Reece Suesue – Western Sydney (captain)

“Mali Manukia at Manly is a seriously underrated flanker. He is very good over the ball and a very strong carrier.”

Total Mentions:

Coby Miln (Warringah) – 3

Teddy Wilson (Easts) – 3

Jack Bowen (Easts) – 3

Reece and Rilloy Suesue (Western Sydney) – 2

Milan Basson (Gordon) – 1

Mali Manukia (Manly) – 1

Andrew Deegan (Randwick) – 1

Harry Burey (Norths) – 1

Ben Houston (Randwick) – 1

Kurtley Beale (Randwick) – 1