By Jonathan B Geddes. Image Serge Gonzales 

THE long absence has ended for halfback Matt Gonzales who is back home at the Shute Shield’s quiet achievers Eastwood.

The Australian Sevens star – who won a Shute Shield grand final with the Woodies a decade ago –  returned to the starting side in last Saturday’s 29-17 win over Souths for the first time in 1477 days.

The previous time he ran out in the No.9 jumper was back in 2021 against Gordon before the competition was called off due to the Covid epidemic.

Gonzales then embarked on his amazing four-year rugby journey travelling the world on the international sevens circuit, representing Australia in about 27 tournaments.

While delighted to be back at his old club, Gonzales admitted there has been a bit of adjustment to be playing 15s again after so long in the sevens.

“It’s been quite challenging which I completely expected,” Gonzales told Rugby News.

“Halfback is such a niche position that it just takes a bit of time to get used to.

“I’m hoping I can give something back to Eastwood because they have given me so much and do whatever I can to push them deep into the finals.”    

A PREMIER HALFBACK

THE return of a talented and experienced player like Gonzales has been a huge bonus for Eastwood halfway through the season.

The 31-year-old has been told he won’t be resigned for the Aussie sevens at this stage as the squad is set to have a rebuild ahead of the next Olympic Games. And that has allowed Gonzales to put all his energies into the Woodies’ premiership campaign.   

“‘Gonz’ is an Olympian and is also a Shute Shield premiership winning halfback  at Eastwood,” Eastwood coach Dave Telfer said.

He was halfback in the Woodies’ side that defeated Manly 15-12 in the 2015 grand final.

That team included Eastern Suburbs coach Ben Batger at fullback, while the Manly No.10 was current Marlins’ coach Sam Lane.          

“He’s come into the squad and it’s a lot different to when he was last here,’’ Telfer said.

“Just the way he has connected with the group and put himself out there, he has blended in seamlessly which is the most impressive thing.

“But you expect thar from a professional footy player.”

The reappearance of Gonzales, who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, has given the coach plenty of options at the scrumbase.      

“In my opinion we have three of the best nines in the competition in Lachie Albert, Tom Goddard and Matt Gonzales -and they all offer something different,” Telfer said.

A POINT TO PROVE 

EASTWOOD are sitting in fourth spot on the table with 41 points behind Easts (49), Warringah (44) and Hunter (43) – but they have been flying under the radar so far.

That situation suits Telfer just fine. 

“We are happy with where we are at,” he said.” We are happy flying below those Easts, Hunters and Warringahs.

“It’s a good spot to be in compared to this time last year.

 “Obviously at this point we know we can push into that top three or drop back to the rest of the competition.

“Our big focus has been making sure we keep working hard to stay with the top three.”

Gonzales said the Eastwood players had taken notice of a captain’s poll at the start of the season where few of them picked the team to make the top six, let alone be crowned premiers.

“I’d say there is a bit of a chip on the shoulder for us boys to show we can match the top teams and we can win as well,” he said. “We are a team that can play some really good footy and I think the boys are really buying into that underdog mentality which is good to  see.”

Telfer made an ominous observation about his team in the run home to the finals.

“We haven’t reached anywhere near our potential yet and that is what we are trying to stress to the group,”  he said.

As of Wednesday he said there were 66 days left in the season until the grand final.

“If we want to commit to each other and put the work in, good things could happen,” Telfer has told his players.

WARY OF A PIRATE ATTACK

EXPERIENCE has told Eastwood they are in for a tough test against the West Harbour Pirates on Saturday at Concord Oval under their new coach Ben Rutherford.

“West Harbour have beaten us the last two times at Concord Oval,” Telfer said.

“Every year it is Back To Wests day so we know it is going to be a hard challenge. They get up for this game so we know we need to turn up.”