With the regular season now done and dusted for 2024, we turn our attention to the top-five clubs in the Sydney Shield competition heading into this year’s finals series.
1. Wentworthville United – 33 points
The Magpies have bounced back from a disappointing 2023 campaign to finish at the top of the table heading into the finals. Finishing the regular season seven points clear from second position, Wentworthville won 14 games, had a draw and three losses to claim the Minor Premiership – the clubs first since 2015.
Over 18 rounds, the Magpies have scored 556 points, the most in the competition – averaging 31 points a game. Winger Isikeli Iaqekoro has had no issue finding the line this season scoring 18 tries, including a hat-trick and five doubles in 16 appearances.
The Minor Premiers will enjoy the first week off in the finals series to prepare for their Week 2 clash in the Major Semi-final, where the winner locks in a spot in this year’s grand final on 14 September.
2. Ryde-Eastwood Hawks – 27 points
Finishing fifth last year, Ryde-Eastwood Hawks have climbed the ladder in 2024 to finish second. Having 10 wins, three draws, and five loses throughout the regular season, Ryde-Eastwood scored 530 points – averaging 29 points a game.
Outside back Josh Rizk has been a regular in the Hawks squad covering multiple positions across the season including fullback, wing, and centre. Featuring in 14 of the 18 games, Rizk has recorded a personal tally of 122 points with eight tries and 45 goals.
The Hawks will come head-to-head with Mounties on Saturday (24 August) with the winner moving forward to play Wentworthville United for a spot in the grand final.
3. Mounties – 26 points
Similar to the Hawks, Mounties have bounced back in 2024 to finish third on the ladder after missing the finals in 2023. Finishing the regular season with 11 wins and seven losses, Mounties scored a total of 500 points across 18 games – averaging 27 points a game.
Being only one of three teams to have defeated ladder-leaders the Magpies, Mounties head into the finals series chasing the club’s first premiership since joining the league.
Since coming into the team in Round Eight, five-eighth Kaylem Falaniko has been a mainstay in the starting 13. Taking over the goal-kicking duties he has successfully converted 37 along with scoring four tries including one double.
4. St Marys Saints – 25 points
The 2023 runners-up will be looking to do one better this year as the club aims to win their fourth premiership since entering the competition eight years ago. Finishing fourth on the ladder, Saints have won 10 games, one draw and seven losses – sitting only two points behind Hawks and one point behind Mounties.
In 18 games, the Saints have scored 579 points – averaging 32 points a game – the best attack in the competition. The Saints have scored more than 40 points eight times across the 2024 season. Prop forward McCann Livingston has featured in all 18 games for the Saints, scoring 12 tries including three doubles and is currently the Saints leading try scorer this year.
St Marys will face Penrith Brothers in the opening week of the finals in the Elimination final with the winner continuing to Week Two.
5. Penrith Brothers - 23 points
A strong 50-6 win over Mounties in the final round of the regular season sealed a finals spot for Brothers. Playing in their third consecutive finals series, Brothers will need to win every game if they are to win the club’s inaugural Sydney Shield Premiership.
Brothers have won nine games, had one draw and eight losses for the season scoring 467 points – averaging 25 points a game. Donovan Boney has been a key part of the Brothers squad playing fullback, five-eighth and halfback throughout the year, kicking 41 goals for the club including a field goal in Brothers Round Nine win against the Moorebank Rams.
With Penrith Brothers to face Saints this Saturday in the Elimination final, Brothers are nonetheless determined to go one better in 2024 after being knocked out last year in Week Three of the finals.
