Two yellow cards in the first half against Gordon in Round One signalled that Eastern Suburbs were concentrating on who they were playing and not on what makes their side tick along.

Sometimes that sort of stuff happens but it did suggest to Beasties coach Pauli Taumoepeau that there is work to do before they can be considered the side the rest of the competition think they can be.

When they take on West Harbour in the TV match of the round on Saturday the focus will be on themselves.

“We’re still very much internally focussed,” Taumoepeau said.

“I’ve seen Wests game v Norths but I didn’t really take anything out of it other than they’re a team with a lot of strike.