St Marys Saints will be aiming to become only the second club to claim both the Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield in the same season when they take the field for their respective Grand Finals at Campbelltown Stadium tomorrow (Saturday 5 September).
Saints, who will take on Mounties in the Sydney Shield and Ryde-Eastwood Hawks in the Ron Massey Cup, will be looking to add more premierships to their trophy cabinet. They won the Ron Massey Cup last year and in 2023, and the Sydney Shield in 2017 and 2022.
The last club to win both titles in the same season was Wenty Magpies in 2012 - which was also the inaugural season for the Sydney Shield.
“It would be a massive achievement if we do end up winning both grades, it'll be a big day for the club,” Ron Massey Cup St Marys captain Joe Vaegaau said.
“To repay ‘Ads’ (St Marys Rugby League Manager Adam Przybyla), who's our management there and the people on the board as well. It would mean a great deal to them, but it will also mean a great deal to us as well to try and get the two.”
Saints claimed the Minor Premiership from 2023-25 but relinquished the title to the Hawks this season. They still had the best attack (590) and the best defence (382) of all teams and dropped only four games all season.
The Hawks were on a roll heading into the finals after winning nine consecutive games before losing the Major Semi-final 44-16 to the Saints. They regrouped in the Preliminary Final to beat Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20-16 to earn their place in the decider and will be looking to turn the tables to claim the club’s maiden premiership.
In the Sydney Shield, Saints have been a dominant force in the competition after going through the regular season undefeated with their worst result being a 22-all draw against Hills Bulls back in Round One in April.
They amassed 628 points in attack whilst conceding only 234 points in defence. The next best was their Grand Final opponents, with Mounties scoring 590 points in attack and only conceding 366.
Saints will be hoping to add to their collection of Sydney Shield premierships after winning the competition in 2022 and 2017 while Mounties are chasing their first title.
They will need to find a way to overcome the Minor Premiers after losing twice to them in the regular season – 40-26 in Round Nine and 48-22 in Round 18 – but they bring strong form into the decider after scoring a decisive 66-18 win over Wenty in the Preliminary Final.
Mounties captain Ryan Jeffery, who was named Sydney Shield Player of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal on Monday night, said they had been working on improving areas of their game but added they would need to be at their best to topple Saints.
“They’re the team to beat, they’ve been undefeated all year,” Jeffery said.
“We’re going to have our work cut out but I’m sure the boys will be ready to go.”
Click here to purchase tickets for the 2026 Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield Grand Final Day.
