North Shore Champions

Shore prepared for ‘dark places’ – departing skipper

North Shore’s Captain Fantastic Alex Woonton announced his retirement after Shore’s epic premiership win in its 150th year.

“That’s enough for me,” he told the Flagstaff, after notching 132 games for the club.

It was his fourth North Harbour championship for Shore.

“I could not ask for a better way to go out – apart from a call-up from the All Blacks,” he laughed.

“It’s a pretty cool way to finish.”

Fitness played a huge part in Shore’s success, he said.

“We prided ourselves on breaking down teams in the second half.”

He noted Shore had come back from 12-0 down against Northcote in its semi-final and had a torrid tussle with Takapuna in the first half of the final.

“A lot of credit needs to go [fitness coach] Dean Rice for helping make us comfortable when we go to the dark places in matches.”

Rice emphasised quality training rather than quantity, an approach that suited older players with families as well as younger team members, Woonton said.

He plans to continue on in some capacity with the club, “which has given me so much”, and may look at coaching in the future.

In the meantime, the Woonton name will continue on the field with his five-year-old son Archer playing rippa rugby.