Eastwood were right in the mix at the pointy end of the 2019 season but fell just short in the preliminary final against Warringah.

The Woodies have lost some big names from that campaign but also have one of the better recruiting classes heading into the season ahead.

It doesn’t seem like a trip to TG Millner will be any easier in 2020 as the Woodies look to add some more silverware to their already busy trophy cabinet.

Rugby News spoke to Eastwood head coach BEN BATGER earlier this week.

WHAT LIES AHEAD: 

“Publicly we’ll say the last few months have been easy but privately it’s been pretty tough to be honest,” Batger said. 

“The boys have been really good and have managed to stay positive throughout the past few months. There has been some highs and some lows but certainly over the last month or two since we’ve known the season was starting, we’ve been able to build some momentum and get excited for what is to come. 

“We had to make a few small tweaks to how we would usually prepare for a season and had to speed up a lot of the learning over the past few weeks but we’ve adapted on the run and we’re all really looking forward to the season ahead.”

2019: 12 wins and five losses to finish second. Knocked out in the preliminary final.

“Last year was good. Finishing second and then being knocked out in the preliminary final, you’d say that was a fair result but at the same time I think we could have easily won that game and then gone on to give Sydney Uni a real run for their money in the grand final. 

“We did well, but we also missed a great opportunity.”

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Ins: Tane Edmed (Randwick), Harry Wilson (Sydney Uni), Chris Bell (England), Tim Simona (NRL), Devan Stoltz (Norths), Josh Noonan (Norths), Ratu Tuiese (Rugby League), Tom Murphy (returning), William Leso (Newcastle), Eric Tuli (NZ), Andy Graham (Western Sydney).

Outs: James Neale (retired), Rhys Allen (retired), Mick Snowden (retired), Tevita Pikula (retired), Dean Dumbos (retired), Ikapote Taupi (France), Tayler Adams (USA), Pama Fou (Western Force), Kiti Ratu (Melbourne), Rob Lagudi (sabbatical). 

WHERE DO YOU NEED TO IMPROVE? 

“I think we need a little bit more flexibility in our game which I think we’ll naturally get with the phasing out of a few of the older guys. We were sort of limited a little last year in terms of what we could do because we were an older, bigger side. 

“This year we’ve got a much younger team and I think we’ll be able to play with a lot more energy and exuberance and a bit more variety in both attack and defence because of that.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

“We’ve got a bunch of guys who are already really solid first grade players who I think are ready to take the next step and go on with their careers. Guys like Michael Icely, Enoki Mulifi, Pat Sio, Fabian Goodall and Ed Craig. 

“Then we’ve got young guys like Tane Edmed, Harry Wilson, Lachlan Shelley who could be anything. We’ve also got a young kid coming up from colts named Charlie Cale. He’s had a bad run with injuries but he’s a real talent. 

“Tane (Edmed) has really impressed me. He played in that game against the Western Force earlier this year with a pretty limited preparation and really impressed. He also looked good in our trial against Wests earlier this month. 

“He’s really classy and more importantly, he’s a really good kid. He’s constantly calling to talk about footy, he wants to learn and improve his game and he works really hard and that’s exactly the type of player we want at Eastwood.”

HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SEASON: 

“You’ve got to always improve so after getting to the semi finals last year, we obviously want to aim for the grand final. If you’re not improving, you’re going backwards so our expectation is to get to the grand final and from there it’s anyone’s game.”

WHO WILL YOU PLAY IN THE GRAND FINAL?

“Most people suggest Sydney Uni and they’ve got such good systems that it’s hard to argue with. Warringah have the core of their team from last year as well so they’re the two teams to beat I think. 

“West Harbour looked to have recruited really well in some key positions so I think they’ll be a smoky this year as well.”