After joining the club from Eastwood, first grade coach Ben Batger delivered Eastern Suburbs' the club's first Shute Shield title since 1969.

Capitalising on the strength of the club's lower grade and colts programs, Batger added some key pieces to the puzzle and finished a controversial season with the biggest smile of any Shute Shield coach.

Overview with Ben Batger: 

“It was a dream season to be honest and I didn’t expect it to go as well as it did,” Batger told Rugby News. 

“Six of our seven men’s teams were minor premiers and we went on to win four premierships including that elusive first grade title. It was an amazing year for the club.

“In regards to first grade, I always thought I could get the club into a better position and realistically, the top four was the goal at the start of the year, but to have the season end up the way it did probably exceeded expectations.