Easts and Manly extended their unbeaten starts to the 2024 Shute Shield season in round three and both head into local derbies across Anzac Round full of confidence.
Here’s a few things we noticed from round three and a few things to look forward to across round four, which starts on Thursday, with a massive Anzac Day local derby between the Marlins and Warringah at Manly Oval.
Three bonus point wins from three matches under new coach Ben Batger. There’s not a whole lot more you could ask for from an Eastern Suburbs’ side trying to play their way into premiership contention.
In saying that, things will lift a little on Saturday when they travel to Coogee Oval for the first Eastern Suburbs’ derby of the year.
Wins by the Beasties over West Harbour, Gordon and Western Sydney have all been impressive. But the defending premiers present a different challenge and it will be interesting to see how Ben Batger’s side performs.
There are some pretty excited rugby fans floating about the Northern Beaches this week and they’ve got every right to be.
A local derby between two in-form rivals at Manly Oval on Anzac Day. It’s going to be massive and if you haven’t purchased tickets yet, make sure you jump online and do so quickly to avoid disappointment.
As for the result, it’s hard to pick. Warringah were far from their best last weekend against Eastwood but will be up for the challenge on Thursday.
Manly have won four of the past six ‘Battle of the Beaches’ but despite that, both sets of fans will head to Manly Oval on Anzac Day fairly confident of leaving later that afternoon with bragging rights.
Regardless, it’s going to be a cracking day of rugby. Head to the link below to secure your tickets now:
While Warringah weren’t at their best in a 20-17 loss to Eastwood at TG Millner last Saturday, the result was extremely important for a fairly young Woodies squad still finding their feet under new coach Dave Telfer.
On a wet, heavy track, Eastwood defended their line like their season depended on it at the backend of Saturday’s victory and while a loss wouldn’t of been terminal for the home side, a win will give them plenty of confidence heading into important matches against Hunter, Easts and West Harbour in the coming weeks.
Gordon’s 29-9 win over Hunter at Chatswood Oval on Saturday was anything but pretty. But it showed that the new look Highlanders, under rookie coach Harry Fehily, have a tough, gritty side that could prove hugely beneficial across the season.
Gordon found a way to get it done and take maximum points from a soggy Saturday afternoon.
Hunter on the other hand, will be hugely disappointed with their performance, which was very un-Wildfires like, based on last season.
There have been plenty of new recruits that have impressed in the opening rounds, but new Norths’ winger Carrick McDonough was the pick of them in round three.
The former Welsh 7s flyer, who is still only 21, showed his pace on a heavy track to set up Norths’ fourth try in a bonus point win over Souths.
If he’s that quick in the wet, imagine what he could do on a sunny Saturday at North Sydney Oval.
