Team of the season
Tried my luck at a team of the season from Colts. I watched a lot of games this year. Keep an eye out for these players over the next two years in the Shute Shield. Some of them already got a taste of first grade this season.
1. Sione Fotuaika – Warringah
Brother of Titans and QLD origin player Moeaki Fotuaika, Sione is a physical and an imposing figure. The best scrummager easily in the competition. Would have had at least 30 tightheads for the season. Also scored the winning try in the grand final as well.
2. Oniti Finau – Eastwood
Arguably player of the season. He can do it all, run, tackle, pilfer and all at a high level whilst often leaving devastation in his wake.
3. Tevita Alatini – Warringah
What a find for the Rats. A big bruising carrier who started off at number 8 and found his way to tighthead prop after a few rounds. Out scrummed many of his more fancied rivals and was aptly rewarded with a late call up to the Australian 20s and still has another year left of eligibility.
4. Kaia Gate – Warringah
The mullet man from Warringah finished the season with an incredible 15 tries, outstanding for a forward. Speed to burn on the edge for Warringah and safe as houses in the lineouts.
5. Miles Ball – Eastwood
Huge work rate, quick across the ground, a reliable defender and capable over the ball. A large part of Eastwoods success was due to this man.
6. Ben Di Staso – Eastern Suburbs
If one word sums up this man, it is beast. Strong in all contact areas and dominated the breakdown frequently. Got a taste of first grade this year, big future ahead of him.
7. Hayden Maher – Randwick
Mr consistent! Great leadership and seldomly misses tackles. Doesn’t have a bad game and was extremely reliable every game.
8. Joel Kardash – Warringah
In a competition with many great number 8s this man stood above and beyond. Wide shoulders and bleached blonde hair that you cannot miss. Constantly got go forward and was a large reason for Warringah’s success.
9. Lachie Cruickshank – Warringah
Tough choice between Cruickshank, Nelson and Goddard. All 3 are classy halfbacks but went with Cruickshank as the most robust and aggressive of the 3. Super quick ball and always a danger sniping at the back of that ruck.
10. Angus Mawson – Warringah
The leading point scorer in the competition with 8 tries, 68 conversations and 7 penalty goals. Including kicking 5/5 in the GF. Big boot and very reliable.
11. Brendan Palmer – Hunter
The silky winger from Hunter despite their position on the ladder scored an amazing 13 tries this season, nearly 30% of all of Hunter’s tries. Still with two years of colts left, he will be lining up on the wing for NSW 18s with a strong chance of making Aussie 18s.
12. Luke McCready – Warringah
The captain of the premiership winning side! Skilful with ball in hand and a reliable defender. One to watch in grade next season.
13. Sonny Meleisea – Warringah
An intimidating presence in the centres for Warringah. Got a handful of starts in grade this year and still managed 8 tries in colts. Left some of his opponents having nightmares.
14. Nacani Batidravu – Sydney Uni
The competitions leading try scorer with 21. Speed to burn and an excellent finisher. Can whack as well!
15. James McGregor – Eastwood
Don’t kick to this man without a good kick chase. Lighting at the back for Woods, 10 tries for the season and would have set up or played a role in countless others. There is a reason he is floating around the Aussie 7s training sessions.
Finishers
16. Sam Tougher Wells – Eastern Suburbs
The converted backrower was super reliable, tough and aggressive. Easts had one of the better scrums in the competition and a big part of that was due to this man.
17. Dante Fatuleai – Warringah
If it wasn’t for the class of Finau this man would have completed an all Warringah Starting front row. Devastating ball carrier and scrummager!
18. Joseph Morris – Sydney Uni
Safe, tough and big. A big part of universities set piece success was this man. A bright future ahead of him.
19. Aden Ekanayake – Gordon
Unlucky not to be starting. A back in a forward’s body. Impressively is still under 18s. Super quick and very reliable in the lineout. He surely must be close to getting a debut for the Aussie 7’s.
20. Jake Barnabas – Warringah
Younger brother of the leading pilferer in the Shute Shield Zac Barnabas, Jake is a carbon copy of his brother. This young man leaves an impression on every match. The best pilferer in the colts competition. Would have been in starting side if he played more games.
21. Dan Nelson – Sydney Uni
Unlucky not to be starting, the Uni captain oozes class. 10 tries for the season, Dan possesses the best pass in the competition and a high rugby IQ.
22. Manus Bailey – Gordon
Extremely versatile for the Stags, playing five eight, centre and fullback. A real triple threat with his running, passing and kicking game. Still has another year of colts left, one to watch.
23. Kai Vincent – Manly – 11 tries
The lone pick for last year’s beaten grand finalists. Overall, a disappointing season for the Marlins (with missing out on finals) but this man constantly impressed and is cause for optimism for 2024. Glides through holes and made countless line breaks. Rightly rewarded with selection in NSW 19s.
Honourable Mentions
Clem Halaholo – Sydney University
Didn’t play many colts games and this is why he doesn’t feature in the 23. But boy did he make an impact in the games that he did play. A big body and uses it to great effect. Causing lots of disruptions at the ruck and gets a lot of go forward and often with 3-4 men needed to get him down way past the advantage line.
Angus Butcher – Warringah
Another bleached hair surfie for Warringah built like a brick shit house. Tough as nails and an excellent defender, left lots of people sore after the game.
William Yates – West Harbour
Capable of playing in the second row or in the back row. The fiery red head was always one of Wests best. Jack of all trades can run, line out jump, tackle and possesses a super high work rate.
Riley Burden – Southern Districts
The big number 8 was Souths best player. Plays a lot like Duane Vermeulan. Tough, aggressive and always putting his hand up to carry and get his team over the advantage line.
Tom Goddard – Eastwood
The Eastwood captain had a terrific season. 19 tries showcase his excellent support play. Unlucky not to get a jersey but says a lot about the other two halfbacks who did.
Connor McMullen – Eastern Suburbs
The Easts captain scored the second most points in the competition. Excellent kicking game and always a danger with ball in hand.
Jackob Sisia – Sydney University
Huge work rate in the centres and delivered his side constant front foot ball. Extremely reliable and Jackob had himself a great season.
