Well, well, well. Look what the calendar dragged in.

Eighteen rounds, one ladder, and now the part that actually counts. No more form guides, no more "what it means for the run home." Six teams left, three battlegrounds, and a bracket that gets torn up and reseeded the second the last whistle blows.

The minor premiers open their finals account at Woollahra. Third and fourth run it back at Chatswood, both sides swearing the regular season meant sweet nothing the moment they crossed the white line. And out at Pittwater, the Rats and the Wicks settle it in the Sunday sun.

This is the stuff that gives you the fizz. No second chances from here on, no next week to make it right - just three results that reshuffle the deck for what comes next.

Do yourself a favour and be there in the flesh - Finals tickets are on sale on the Shute Shield website. 5 September, Leichhardt Oval. Finals footy hits different from the hill. Clip every trip - let’s go.

Before we get stuck in, our thoughts are with Wes Thomas, who suffered a serious neck injury the other weekend. Wes, the entire Shute Shield community is right behind you, mate. If you are able to, please get around the GoFundMe and chip in whatever you can.

Gordon v Sydney University
Stags def Students 40-35

Third took on fourth at Chatswood Oval and despite both teams’ recent history, this was a clean slate. Everything till now means sweet f-a. Ollie (heelflip) Harvey razzled and dazzled his way over the line for the Students, inside 10 minutes. Joey Fowler converted. I think we’re at the point now where it’s well established what I am going to say next. When are you most vulnerable? Minutes after Uni crossed, the bugle blared and the Stags commenced the hunt. Great interchange between forwards and backs, Uni couldn’t scramble quick enough and eventually Connor Hickey was over. Cole Spinks converted. Offt, tell you what – Uni’s next one was pretty yummy. Stripped the ball in contact, offload-to-offload and away went Ben (Benjy) Joseland – he loves being called Ben by the way – who streamed home for his first. Fowler converted. Gordon hit back immediately. Siketi Tevao closed the gap off the back of the maul. With five to play it was anyone’s game. Two points the difference, Uni seemed like they were edging in front. Before you knew it Joseland had a double. Ball back on the inside and he went straight through under the pointy things. Fowler converted. 60 seconds to go, Stags overthrew the lineout. Ball went wide, and after a bit of to me, to you, Joseland had a hat-trick. Yup, 14 minutes between the first and third. Someone call me the (waaa)ambulance – I feel faint. Fowler converted. Halftime.

Someone or something clearly happened at halftime because Father Ted - was the second half the opposite. Uni seemed to lose their edge, forcing too many passes and subsequently turning it over too easily. Case in point in the 50th minute. Great momentum but slack decisions in key areas, Gordon got the ball back on their line. Harry Snook shifted to Hickey, chipped and chased and went the length. Clearly frustrated with the fact he had to run 70 metres, everyone’s favourite brick – Rico Richard Nicholas Champion de Crespigny gave Hickey a congratulatory head rub. We love, love. Spinks converted. And just like that the game turned. I’ll be the first to admit – mostly because I said this on a public platform and so I am covering my behind – Gordon did what the stats said they couldn’t. They came back. Minutes later Ronan Kelly crashed over. Spinks converted. Back to two the difference, Uni strung together some good phases and Joseland got a fourth. What’s the ETA on that ambo? Fowler converted. Staggies replied immediately. Milan Basson stepped up and plopped over. Spinks converted. 13 to go and Stags put the nail in the coffin. A short ball put Jack Hardy over the line and Gordon in front. Spinks converted. Fulltime.

Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood
Beasties def Woods 59-22

This was always an uphill battle for Woods and Easts proved why. Six minutes in Teddy (bear) Wilson took off from the scrum, ball went wide and Sid (the sloth) Harvey went into the corner. Minutes later, Ollie (Kickflip) Dawkins streamed in from 60 metres. Tell you what, I hate to say it, but these English wingers know how to find the chalk. Harvey converted. Brad Roderick-Evans slotted a three-pointer to narrow the gap for Woods. Easts showed why they’re minor premiers, 1-15 class with ball in hand and eventually Wilson finished off some lovely catch-pass. Harvey converted. Two minutes later (you may take our lives, but you will never take our) Freedom Vahaakolo bounced his way into the corner. Harvey converted. The gravy train kept a rollin for Beasties. Jimmy Hokafonu the next to score. Two minutes to go Woods finally crossed the paint. Penalty try and a slice of the Gouda given to the barrel with legs, Reon Lowery, from the maul. Whatever the hell happened, it’s above my paygrade. Naughty boy. Halftime.

It took all but two minutes and (The Man From) Otto Serforntein raced home. Harvey converted. Woods next points came from a sexy little line-break, finished off by the resident hot stepper, Isaac (Sheryl) Crowe. 20 to go and Easts went over again. Wilson bagged his second as he caught Woods napping. Harvey converted. Final points for Eastwood came through Tom Goddard, sniping at scrum time. Roderick-Evans converted. Six to play and Easts went in again. Silky offloading put Sam (Paul) Walker over the line. Harvey converted. Andrew (Cameron) Smith capped off an easy day for Easts. Harvey converted. Fulltime.

Warringah v Randwick
Rats def Wicks 31-26

It was close when they met the other day, Uni and Randwick’s fate on the line. Oh baby! Wicks were desperately defending but first blood to the home side – Sateki (steam train) Latu finished off some relentless Warringah attack. Byron Smith converted. Neither side is big kickers of the ball but failing to play in the right areas was working against Wicks. Rats went back-to-back. Naughty offload from (BIG) Ben Marr to (Mike) Tyson Davis to score. Smith converted. Still Wicks refusing to kick the ball, Rats managed to dominate in defence. Momentum in their favour – Rats won consecutive penalties – they went to the maul. Tom Gee (whizz bang) burrowed over. With 10 to go Wicks struck back. Finally putting together some good phase play, Isi Naisarani poked through the defence and offloaded to Alex Molloy who raced home. Felix Turinui converted. I am honestly sick of saying it. You are most vulnerable after you score. Wicks spill the ball, Rats get the scrum. Several phases and some silky hands later – Gee, of all people – raced into the corner with six to play. Holy Moses – you won’t believe it. The bobcat, Oniti Finau, found himself with ball in hand 40 metres out. Props in space may panic but not the hookers. This man took off and never looked back. Unmatched prowess. Randwick’s scrum was sending Rats backwards and managed to win a penalty right on the half. Maul, knock on, halftime.

Red hot start for Wicks in the second – makes you wonder just how passionate that halftime spray was #realmencry. Wicks continued to dominate at scrum time but unable to capitalise early doors. Fortunately, the lineout provided go forward ball. Finau flew around the corner and scored right next to the pointy things. Turinui converted. Rats looked stunned but we know how they come home. Five the difference and neither team were able to hold the ball for extended periods. Rats kept giving away penalties, gifting Wicks constant possession. The dam eventually cracked and Jonny (Cash) Chan barged over. Turinui converted. Wicks in the lead for the first time. Eventually Rats got some phases together and Luke (Vader) Reimer went in untouched. Smith converted. Give them a sniff and Rats will make you pay. The final 20 is where they come alive. 15 to go and Rats won a penalty in front, an easy three points for Smith but to no avail. A nervy kick that one. A huge Andrew Kellaway 80-22 kick gave them possession inside Rats' 22. Right in front of the sticks - opting for the scrum but Rats had other ideas. A huge turnover penalty. You couldn't write the final 10 minutes. Rats' naughty boy, Archie Saunders, was sent for repeated infringements. Turinui almost scored under the sticks but was held up. Gifted another penalty, Wicks went for the tap. Still giving away penalties Rats were in serious trouble. WOWEE. Talk about championship defence. Phase after phase and eventual counter-ruck denied a desperate Randwick. Game, set, match. Fulltime. Game of the round.