It’s been a long time between drinks down at Woollahra Oval. This year sees the 40th anniversary of Eastern Suburbs’ last 1st Grade Premiership in 1969, and there’s no greater reminder of that than the club’s current head coach Murray Cox, whose father John was a part of that title-winning side.

A long overdue visit to one of the most picturesque grounds in the competition – North Sydney Oval, saw Northern Suburbs with the tough task of knocking over high-flying Randwick.

We’re just over halfway through this years Shute Shield competition, and it’s a time for many of the coaches to take stock, analyse, deconstruct, and plan for the remaining games that will ultimately define their season.