After making the finals in a breakthrough 2023 season, Hunter struggled to continue their push up the Shute Shield ladder last year.

Former Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has joined his brother Scott in Newcastle over summer though and the pair want to see their team challenging for the Shute Shield title this year and in the years to come.

Overview with Scott Coleman: 

“Reflecting on last year, injuries really cruelled us but that’s footy sometimes and you can’t use that as an excuse,” Coleman told Rugby News. 

“We’ve just got to have a stronger, more robust squad from what we had last year and I think we’ve got that heading into 2025.

“We had a good year in 2023 and made the finals, then it was disappointing to go backwards last year, we all agree on that, so we’ve looked at changing up our preseason so that we’re fitter at the right time of the year and we’ve tried to strengthen our depth. 

“We’ve got a big focus on our one club mentality. Obviously, we’re a little bit smaller than most clubs, but we work really hard to be connected through grade, colts and our women’s program. 

“We’ve tried to flip the mindset this year on using the travel that we have to do as an advantage because we do get more time together compared to the other clubs. Because of that, we think we can form closer bonds between players and use that as an advantage. 

“Our colts are looking really good and that’s been building over the last few years. Last year, we only had five or six players push into grade from colts and this year we’ve got 15 to 20, with a similar group expected next year. 

“It’s still very early, but that’s the future of our club and we’re working hard to build a strong foundation for the years ahead.”

2024: 10th (5 wins, 13 losses)

Ins: Connor Winchester (returning – MLR), Tevita Kaitu’u (Brisbane), Mesu Kunavula (Waratahs), Daniel Maiava (Melbourne Rebels), Elisapeta Alofipo (Samoa), Phil Talaileva (Eastwood).

Outs: Angus Websdale (injured), Rob Puliueva (retired), Andrew Tuala (work), Chris Watkins (rugby league), Tueti Asi (Sydney), Deon Evans-Ao (sevens), Tom Watson (England).

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

“We’re going to evolve, that’s for sure and with Darren (Coleman) joining us, he’s added quite a bit to our attack.

“We want to be a double threat. Obviously we’ve had a strong forward pack and spent a lot of time on getting that rumble up front and through our set piece. 

“But we want to add some variations to that and probably play with a bit more attacking, I wouldn’t say flair, but attacking strike power.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“Brendan Palmer is a young local kid who has been pushing through for a few years now. He’s an outside back with a lot of attacking flair and speed,” the coach explained. 

“He can play anywhere in the outside backs and will be one to watch. 

“Connor Winchester is also back from the MLR after the Dallas team he was playing at folded. He has turned into a professional footballer, so to speak, and took a lot out of being involved in a full time program. 

“He was always a really good trainer, but he’s picked up a lot little things on and off the footy field that will push him forward. 

“Donny Freeman is also pushing hard for a crack at the next level and he deserves to get it at some stage.”

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

“The Hunter Wildfires will be there, I’m confident of that,” Coleman said. 

“Then I’d probably say Warringah at the moment. 

“It’s going to be another tight season and to be honest, I haven’t seen too much of the Sydney teams just yet, we’ve kind of stuck to ourselves in the pre-season. 

“Easts will obviously be tough to beat when they get their Waratahs back, Uni and Randwick will improve. Norths will be there again as well but Rats are probably the team to watch for me though.”