On the back of a disappointing 2024 season, Easts coach Simon Craig has welcomed more than 30 new or returning players into his top squad.

Looking to add to the title the club won in 2020, Easts are confident they can be the big improvers this season.

Overview with Simon Craig: 

“It was a very disappointing year last year but it was probably the season we had to have and was important in our cycle of rebuilding,” Craig told Rugby News. 

“We had a lot of long-term players retire at the end of 2023, then we had a few that moved down to Canberra and a few tied up with Super Rugby so it was a tough, difficult year but there were a lot of young players that got an opportunity as a result. 

“Those guys now know the difference between playing second or third grade and playing Premier Rugby. It’s a bit step up and I think we’ll see the benefits of that this year. 

“It’s never easy for young guys when they are thrown in the deep end, but they took their learnings and I think they understand how hard they need to work on and off the field to play at this level. 

“It wasn’t hard to keep them motivated, because they are a great group of kids and they all want to achieve success together. They took their medicine last year and we’re hoping they’ll all be better for it in the years ahead. 

“We’ve also got a lot of new and returning players at the club. We’ve got 18 new players, we’ve got five guys who missed most or all of last season through injury, we’ve got six players who have come back to Easts after playing somewhere else and we’ve got four colts who have pushed into our top squad. 

“All together, there’s more than 30 players in our top squad that weren’t there last year and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact that has right across the grades.”

2024: 8th (4 wins, 12 losses)

Ins: Alex Smit (Canberra), Will Sankey (Canberra), BJ Oates (UQ), Angus Wagner (Force/UQ), Sione Teaupa (Tonga), Jethro Felemi (UQ), Nuku Swerling (Bond), Setefano Funaki (UQ), JP Tominiko (Sunnybank), Jake Pappin (Japan), Andrew Ready (Western Force), Saxon Warwick (Souths), Jason Theron (Souths), Cooper Hoare (Souths), Josh Coward (Sunnybank), Helaman Swirling (Bond), Lusikava Moala (Tonga).

Outs: Massimo de Lutiis (Wests), Pio Nakubuwa (rugby league). 

What sort of footy will we see from Easts this year? 

“Everyone knows that we’re a team that likes to dominate around our set-piece and that won’t change,” Craig said. 

“I’m confident I’ve got the pack this year to really dominate and that’s going to be a big focus for us. 

“But we’re also going to play a really fast, territory-based game. 

“We want to play downtown and put teams under pressure at their end of the field and see if they are good enough to break away and get through our defence. 

“Essentially, we’re going to try and choke teams down their own end and see what sort of opportunities come from that.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“I think Andrew Reddy will be really good for us. He’s experienced and tough and knows what it takes at this level,” the coach said. 

“We’ve picked up a Tongan lock named Fano Funaki who has looked really good through preseason. 

“I think my son Max is also due for a big year. He hasn’t played footy for a year through injury and he’s incredibly hungry. 

“Jake Papin has also gained a lot of experience playing over in Japan in recent years and from what I’ve seen of him in training and in the conversations we’ve been having, he looks to be a far more mature person and player, which I think will have a really positive impact on the rugby field.”

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

“Wests have gone and recruited enough players to field two Premier Grade teams, so you’d be a fool to not have them in the mix,” Craig explained. 

“I’m not sure if Brothers will be the same team they were last year and the year before. I also think UQ might struggle a bit. We’ve picked up a few players from them and I’ve heard they’ve got a lot of injuries as well. 

“I’m not too sure what to expect from Jeeps and Bond.

“But I think we’ll be in the mix. I’m confident we’ve got the troops to give the competition a good shake and I’m looking forward to watching our boys in action from round one.”