By Liam Cook

Souths’ head coach Todd Dammers wants his team to take ownership of their inconsistent performances so far this year when they face Easts on Saturday at Chipsy Wood Oval.

“Our form has probably replicated our games – stop-start,” Dammers told Rugby News.

“There’s some stuff that we’re really happy with, but we’ve only played two games so in some ways it’s been hard to measure.

“We were disappointed about losing to UQ, but not unhappy.

“The season has been a bit patchy if I’m being honest.”

Dammers said his men are approaching this season with an internalised focus.

“We are not really worrying about who we’re playing or what they’re doing, but rather focusing on being excellent with what we do and our basics.”

“We’ve got to learn our lessons to take those next steps, not just against the top four teams but all the sides.

“It’s about consistency and not being content to be in a game or close to the top four.”

The head coach feels his men are prepared for the challenge that Easts will present on Saturday afternoon.

“Any side that Benny Mowen is in charge of is going to be well planned and well prepared.”

“We played them in the trial and got to have a little bit of a look at who they are.

“We probably expect them to be a little more polished and hungrier.”

The Magpies are hoping to build some early season momentum, after the bye in round two and inclement weather last week prevented them from stringing games together.

“Quickest way to build momentum or continuity is just going out in the game and doing what you did at training, that way there are no surprises,” Dammers said.

“There’s no magic formula you’ve just got to keep training competitively and try replicate game scenarios.

“It’s as simple as just playing some footy.”

Souths’ stalwart Dammers praised the early season consistency of young forward, Sam Mataafa.

“I thought Sam Mataafa, our young number eight who is still colts eligible, showed some genuine class and took the game on in the wet against UQ.”

“I’ve been really impressed with him as a young guy who keeps getting better and hopefully he can keep forging ahead.”

At the start of his third year in the top job at Souths, Dammers has encouraged his players to take charge of the team and drive it forward.

“The last couple years the group was younger and learning, whereas this year they’re old enough now and don’t need to be handheld.”

“I’m doing very little film work this year on anybody else and just focusing on what we do.

“It’s a change because obviously everyone wants to look at other people but at stages that can cloud your judgement.

“We’re better off just to play how we play and give the boys the key to let them drive the car out on the field.

“A lot of it is about us backing what they feel and see out on the field, and then having a conversation post-match about what we might’ve done or what we saw from our perspective.

“They’ve still got to be the ones out there to make the calls, it’s their team.”