Grand Final Preview: Righting Last Year’s Wrong
- Easts Rugby
- 59 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Angus Hayman
There is something fitting about the Shute Shield season coming full circle for Eastern Suburbs.
Twelve months ago, the Beasties walked away from the grand final at Leichhardt Oval with a painful 37-24 loss to Warringah, beaten by a devastating display of running rugby that denied Easts back-to-back premierships.
The opponent is the same. The venue is the same. But Easts captain Josh Bokser insists the opportunity is not one to fear.
It comes after a hard-fought preliminary final victory over Sydney Uni, a win that carried its own sense of redemption after the students had stolen a late victory at Woollahra Oval earlier in the season.
“We knew we probably weren't near our best when they beat us at home, and yeah, it did sting a little bit,” Bokser said.
“It really did upset us, I suppose, and I guess that gave us a little bit more fire in the belly to prove it right the second time.”
The stakes were certainly higher the second time around.
With a place in the grand final on the line, Easts produced when it mattered most, securing their spot in the decider and another shot at the premiership.
“Finals footy is a different beast on its own,” Bokser said.
“So, I guess it's just how you prepare during the week and get excited for it.”
That preparation has been built on a season in which Easts have once again set the standard, claiming their third consecutive minor premiership and putting themselves in position to challenge for the competition’s biggest prize.
For Bokser, there is no secret formula to navigate the pressure.
“You've got to back your instincts and back that you've done the work for the last 18 rounds to put yourself in a position to play there,” he said.
“I feel like there's a lot of confidence within the group on how we play and the way we want to play, and the coaches give us a lot of confidence in that as well.”
But it would be rude to not address the opponent that waits this Saturday afternoon.
Warringah have been one of the competition’s standout sides throughout 2026, finishing second on the ladder and earning their own path back to the grand final.
For all the familiarity between the two squads, though, the weight of last year’s defeat has not dominated Easts’ preparation.
“It hasn't been talked about,” Bokser said.
“But it doesn't get much better than that, to be honest. You get to play a repeat of the grand final that you lost the year before, and you get to try and make those wrongs right.”
Bokser made it clear he has no intention of referring to last year’s decider.
“I haven't actually watched the 2025 grand final back yet, and I don't plan on watching it”.
Among the most exciting parts of those learnings has been the emergence of a new generation of Beasties.
Bokser singled out two in particular: winger Ollie Dawkins and forward Tom Girle.
“I've been impressed with all the young guys that have come in, they've both had crazy good years.”
Girle has been one of the season’s most impressive revelations, stepping into a gap in the forward pack and making it his own.
“Girle's come in and filled a gap, and he's probably proved himself to be one of the better forwards in our pack at the moment,” Bokser said.
“He's taking every opportunity in his stride.”
Dawkins, meanwhile, has provided another glimpse of the future, emerging as one of the young attacking weapons capable of changing a game in an instant.
But Easts are not the only side arriving at Leichhardt with youthful star power.
Warringah have plenty of young talent of their own, with Archie Saunders on the wing and Riley Whitfeld and LeBron Paramore-Naea among the players capable of causing plenty of damage. Breakaway Paramore-Naea showed just how dangerous he can be in last year’s grand final, making a name for himself on the biggest stage.
That familiarity means neither side will be walking into the unknown.
“It's probably a good thing reviewing and previewing this sort of stuff because we've got knowledge on how they play and who they are,” Bokser said.
But ultimately, the Easts skipper knows all of that preparation only takes you so far.
“Finals is a different beast,” he repeated.
“It honestly all depends on how you turn up on the day. It doesn't really matter who you've got or who you're against.”
One team will put its best foot forward. One will get the right end of the stick.
And for Easts, they hope the final ingredient comes from behind the fence.
Bokser has never been shy about acknowledging the Beasties Faithful, whose support has carried the side through countless moments at Woollahra Oval.
“We wouldn't be where we are without them,” he said.
“They've got us home many games before when they're giving it beans on the hill up there.”
Now, they get another chance to make their voices heard.
The pain of 2025 remains. The opportunity to correct it has arrived.
Only 80 minutes remain in the 2026 Shute Shield season.
Purchase your tickets to the Grand Final here.
Comments