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Considering the Wildfires only had a few weeks to prepare for their Shute Shield return, it’s hard not to be impressed with their 2020 season.

Scott Coleman’s side won two matches and should have arguably won a third in a game against Manly that ended in a 10-10 draw.

If they remain in the competition, Coleman seems confident that his side will improve and improve quickly.

Overview with Scott Coleman:

“I’d have to say I’m quite satisfied looking back at our first year back in the Shute Shield. It was a bit of a reality check and a wake up call to the local players in Newcastle that there is a better standard out there but I think they handled it quite well considering the limited preparation that they had,” Coleman said. 

“When we found out we were in the comp this year, we focussed mainly on fitness and our speed of play. The guys were all really excited to get the chance to test themselves but we knew we’d be a fair way behind the eight ball in those areas. 

“I think we competed well physically. In some games, we were also able to slow the opposition down with counter rucks and by competing for the ball and when we did that, we were able to bring it back to the pace of our game, which helped a lot. 

“We weren’t able to do that against the top five or six teams though and when they had quick ruck speed, they really blew us off the park and we struggled to match their skill level and accuracy. 

“When the draw came out, we knew we were playing the top seven teams from last year in the first seven rounds, so that was always going to be tough. 

“To get a draw against Manly, that reassured the boys that we were working in the right direction. No disrespect to our players, but Manly had an off day and probably took us a bit lightly and we capitalised and had a chance to win it at the end. 

“That gave the boys a lot of confidence that they could compete at this level. 

“We marked down the last five rounds and wanted to get three or four wins at the back end of the season, but a lack of depth probably cost us. 

“In saying that, we were able to get two wins towards the end and that was really pleasing. 

“I think there’s a place for us in the competition long term. Currently there are six or seven Newcastle boys playing first grade Shute Shield at other clubs and another 10 playing second grade. In colts, we played against 23 players from Newcastle in first colts this year. 

“The talent is definitely here, it’s just a matter of retaining it and I hope we get a chance to do that. 

“If we’re in the competition next year, and I still don’t know if we will be, we’ll probably have to top up our squad for the next season or two, but after that I’m confident that we can field a competitive team filled with local talent.”

What needs to happen between now and round one next year? 

“We need to get stuck into a really good off season program and get the boys into the gym. It probably shocked the guys a little as to how much harder they need to train to compete at Shute Shield level but it didn’t scare anyone away. 

“It’s not a size issue, we were big and physical enough, it’s more the speed and the accuracy that cost us, as well as the technical side of things at the breakdown. Compared to the local competition in Newcastle, it’s a big step up. 

“If we’re in next year, we’d also probably look to top up the squad with a few players so that we don’t completely deplete the playing numbers in the local comp when it returns next year as well.”

Which player(s) do you expect to go on to bigger and better things from next year? 

“There’s a good crew of them to be honest. I don’t want to keep mentioning our limited prep this year, but I think some of these guys can make huge improvements with a decent preseason under their belts. 

“Shawn Ingle was probably the standout for us this year. He’s a young Melbourne kid that came up to play No.7, he was outstanding.

“Dave Puchert and Phil Bradford are two 23-year old front rowers who will grow leaps and bounds in the next few years. Jeremy Burrill at lock was great, as was George Noah. He had a year at Warringah before this. 

“Hamish McKie was great on the wing and will only improve. Taulogo Lalaga was our captain and No.12. He was great this year and if he improves his fitness, he’ll be a really good Shute Shield player. 

“Probably the shining light of the campaign was Nimilote Qio. He’s an outside back and is only in his third year of rugby after playing AFL. He was fantastic.”

Bold prediction for the 2021 season:

“Hopefully the Wildfires are playing in it for starters.  

“If we’re in it and if we get enough notice so that we can put in a good preseason, I’d like to think we can push to make the finals next year. 

“My bold prediction looking at the rest of the competition would probably be Easts to win the comp. I think they were just bubbling away nicely and they’ve been there or thereabouts for the last few seasons. 

“Obviously they lose players to Super Rugby but they only come back better players and I think Pauli has built enough depth at the club to get them through the regular season. They’ll come home strong and win it next year I reckon.”

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