Former Eastwood coach Ben Batger has crossed Sydney to take the reins at Eastern Suburbs. 

The Beasties have had bucketloads of potential for as long as most can remember, but while the club has had plenty of success in lower grades and colts, they haven’t found the right formula in first grade, something Batger is looking to fix this season. 

Overview with Ben Batger: 

“It’s a new club for me and I want to make a good impression so I’ve been working hard. Then obviously Easts ran 10th last year and they weren’t happy with that, so they’ve been very keen to work hard as well,” Batger told Rugby News. 

“My first impressions were that the club is actually set up really well in terms of facilities, management and depth through the lower grades, colts and women’s programs. 

“They just seem to have been missing a little bit in first grade in regards to Shute Shield knowledge and experience. 

“But overall the work ethic of the group is fantastic and I can’t fault the people at the club. There are plenty of passionate Beasties on and off the field and they’ve all been super welcoming. 

“I’m really enjoying it and I also think I’ve arrived at a really good time on the back of a lot of hard work that has been put in at the club over recent years. 

“We’ve got a simple mantra this year where we just want to get better. We’re putting a lot less focus on winning premierships and getting Super Rugby players back like the club has in recent years and we’re just focussing on getting better as individuals and as a squad. 

“That helps simplify things as well. I’ve tried to narrow the players focus quite a bit to chase smaller goals that we can tick off throughout the year. 

“If we keep ticking off those goals, then maybe we put ourselves in a position to chase a premiership at the backend of the season but we can’t win the comp in March or April. 

“There’s a lot of talk about the hoodoo at Easts and the last premiership back in 1969. But that doesn’t really have anything to do with this current group and I don’t see any point in focussing on any of that. It’s external pressure and that’s how we’re treating it.”

2023: 10th (6 wins, 12 losses)

Ins: Chris Bell (Eastwood), Harry Wilson (Eastwood), Fabian Goodall (Eastwood), George Gibson (Southern Districts), Jamie Adamson (Great Britain 7s) Calum Randle (Great Britain 7s), Ben Smith (Scotland), George Barber (Scotland), Henry O’Kane (West Tigers), Cooper Whiteside (Wests, Brisbane), Harrison Mataele (Manly), Moli Sooaemalelagi (returning), Ahmu Tuimalealiifano (returning).

Outs: None – “The club is really proud of the fact that we haven’t lost anyone from last season, despite having a pretty tough year.”

What sort of rugby will we see from Gordon this year?

“Initially, we’ve just got to simplify things. We turned over the ball more than any other team last year so to start we need to simplify our game plan and operate as one. 

“We’ve actively recruited guys that have won or played in successful teams or programs previously and I’m hoping that, alongside the success the club has had in lower grades and colts will help as we push to move up the ladder.”

Players to watch:

“George Gibson is a backrower that played at Southern Districts and with the Australian U20s last year. He had a great game in our trial against Queensland B a few weeks ago,” Batger said. 

“He’s put on about 10 kilos over the offseason and I think he’ll be good in a pretty crowded and competitive backrow. 

“Lewis Ponini is a loosehead prop that was at Easts last year. I think he’s a really good player and can still get better. 

“Jack Mossman is a good Easts boy in the outside backs. He can cover anywhere from 13 to 15. 

“We’ve also got two good inside centres that have come up from colts in Ed Arnott and Leo Leo Bassingthwaighte. 

“Zane Marolt also spent a season with the Waratahs last year and he’s been working really hard to fight his way back into the professional system.”

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final and why? 

“We’re going to be one of them,” Batger said confidently. 

“Outside of that, I think most coaches will agree that it could be multiple teams. 

“Eastwood and Norths both haven’t missed the top four in the last six or seven years, so they’ll be amongst it. Randwick had the best depth of anyone last year, so they’ll be amongst it again and I’ve never seen Sydney Uni have two bad seasons in a row. 

“Take your pick out of those teams to play us in the grand final.”