FULL TIME: Warringah Rats have defeated Eastern Suburbs 37-24 in an enthralling Charter Hall Shute Shield decider at Leichardt Oval.
Beasties were looking to back up last year's drought-breaking Shield victory after downing Eastwood 33-19 in last week's preliminary final while the Rats were chasing their first grand final win since 2017 after seeing off Northern Suburbs 38-22.
Watch the 2025 Charter Hall Shute Shield decider live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Ultimately, it would be Warringah's day with backrower Chlayton Frans scoring a matchwinning double in the 13-point victory
Re-live the action below via our live blog:
Warringah 37 Eastern Suburbs 24
The Shield is Warringah's as Chlayton Frans streaks away against the run of play and scores his second try!
Warringah 37 Eastern Suburbs 24
The Shield is Warringah's as Chlayton Frans streaks away against the run of play and scores his second try!
The Hillbillies know it's coming home - we'll have a restart but there's nothing Beasties can do from here.
Warringah 32 Eastern Suburbs 24
Replacement prop Tevita Alatini might just have won the Shute Shield for Warringah!
The big man powered his way over after a kick error from Chris Bell cost the Beasties crucial field position and the Rat army can taste winners' beers on the Leichardt Oval sidelines!
Warringah 27 Eastern Suburbs 24
Every moment's a big one from here.
Rats had a golden chance deep in Beasties' 22 after forcing a wonky exit but Miln's pass to Marr from the ensuing attack is forward and the defending champs earn a scrum.
They pump it downfield for a midfield lineout but Beasties need that pill back to find an equalising penalty or a go-ahead try.
Warringah 27 Eastern Suburbs 24
Archie Gavin dots down and Beasties aren't done yet!
It was only a matter of time before the defending premiers found pay at the maul and it's Gavin with the choccies to keep Beasties in the contest.
Whiteside's conversion is a peach and we've got a three-point game on our hands!
Warringah 27 Eastern Suburbs 17
Beasties are hot on the attack deep in Rats territory after a pinpoint Cooper Whiteside penalty touchfinder.
Warringah will need to watch their discipline here following another set piece penalty - Beasties go to the corner again and will chance their arm at the maul.
Warringah 27 Eastern Suburbs 17
That's a big injury for Beasties to manage with Aussie Sevens star Michael Icely leaving the field with a busted shoulder.
Rats have already enjoyed ruck dominance this afternoon and Icely's departure is swiftly followed by yet another Zac Barnabas turnover - Rats can smell the Shield from here and Beasties need a quick score to stay alive.
Warringah 27 Eastern Suburbs 17
What a passage of play for the Rats!
Beasties looked set to press their advantage with an attacking lineout deep in Warringah's 22m but an errant carry sees the Rats back upfield with Ben Marr sparking a 70m counter.
A thrilling 12-phase attack eventually sees replacement forward Malachi Ti'a smash over for Warringah's third try and Miln's conversion makes it a 10-point game!
Warringah 20 Eastern Suburbs 17
Beasties are hammering the Rats' line but centurion Sam Thomson isn't giving them an inch.
The veteran lock produces a crucial maul turnover and Warringah turn the screws at the ensuing scrum to get out of trouble - for now.
Warringah 20 Eastern Suburbs 17
You just can't keep Coby Miln out of the game.
Beasties had all the momentum but an errant ruck penalty gives the sharpshooter another chance at poles and Miln doesn't miss often.
It's a three-point game and this Shute Shield final is heating up!
Warringah 17 Eastern Suburbs 17
Warringah weathered an early Beasties storm with boom hooker Moli Sooaemalelagi held up over the chalk after multiple raids - but the Rats couldn't hold them out forever.
It's been all Eastern Suburbs since halftime and big Reon Lowry eventually scores under the sticks to square things up - that's Lowry's 11th try of the season!
HALF TIME: Warringah 17 Eastern Suburbs 10
Coby Miln slots an easy three on the stroke of halftime and it's Warringah with a seven-point lead at oranges.
Jackson Ropata was key to that opportunity and created space for another Coombes break that lead to the penalty.
Stay tuned for a massive second half to come!
Warringah 14 Eastern Suburbs 10
Eastern Suburbs score their first try through Darby Lancaster and this game has sprung alive!
The one-cap Wallaby opened Beasties' account down the left wing following a Henry Palmer break from inside their own 22.
Palmer found Lancaster in support, who then played the ball from his own tackle and raced away to score untouched - Whiteside's conversion is on the money and the margin closes to four!
Warringah 14 Eastern Suburbs 3
Rats winger Liam Coombes has been busy in the first half and almost had his side's third with a sneaky chip and chase down the left wing before coughing up his lollies five from home.
Warringah's ruck pressure has been immense with Zac Barnabas (three turnovers) having a field day so far.
Beasties under huge pressure right now and momentum well and truly with Warringah, who force a lineout inside their attacking 22m.
Warringah 14 Eastern Suburbs 3
What a passage from the Rats!
Warringah lock Keelan Whitman bangs in down after a patient pick-and-drive build up but put this one down to fullback and skipper Ben Marr, who sliced open the Beasties defence to get his side prime attacking position.
Miln's conversion sails over and the Rat Army are finding their voice on the hill.
Warringah 7 Eastern Suburbs 3
Eastern Suburbs will want those seven minutes over again.
The defending champs had two prime opportunities - once from an attacking lineout and another following an Archie Gavin break - but the Rats are finding ways to turn them away.
Massive turnover from Sateki Latu was the highlight of that passage and now the Rats are starting to counterpunch.
Warringah 7 Eastern Suburbs 3
But the Rats could've been up a second try after failing to capitalise on a Liam Coombes break!
The winger sliced straight through Beasties' line but couldn't link up with Miln on his left and Beasties escape a sticky situation.
Play resumes with a Rats' scrum on their defensive 10m line.
Warringah 7 Eastern Suburbs 3
We have the first try - and it's Warringah backrower Chlayton Frans!
Rats flyhalf Coby Miln put his side on the front foot with a pinpoint 50-22 catching Darby Lancaster out of position to send Warringah deep in the Beasties' red zone.
The lineout went awry but a poor Beasties exit gave the Rats key counterattacking pill and Frans finishes off a slick interplay to open the tryscoring here at Leichardt Oval!
Miln curls in the extras and it's a four-point lead to Warringah!
Eastern Suburbs 3 Warringah 0
The defending Shield holders take the early lead following sustained lineout pressure and a pair of powerful Henry Palmer carries.
Cooper Whiteside slots the easy three from in front and Beasties are up by three!
That's a near miss for the Beasties against the run of play.
Warringah's ruck pressure forced another penalty and their first attacking lineout in Beasties territory but an overthrow saw the defending champions streak out of their own 22 on the counter.
Darby Lancaster's decision to carry rather than shift probably saved the Rats' blushes there - play continues midfield with Beasties in possession.
It's the defending champions with the early advantage here in Sydney.
A ruck penalty saw Beasties plug the corner and march upfield with Teddy Wilson adding plenty of spark with his running game but the Rats' pilfering backrow gets them out of trouble.
Good afternoon rugby fans and welcome to rugby.com.au's live coverage of the 2025 Charter Hall Shute Shield grand final between Eastern Suburbs and Warringah Rats.
The teams have just run out onto the turf and we're in the hands of veteran referee Angus Gardner, who blows his whistle and gets us underway!
