The prospect of Eastern Suburbs winning an Australian Club Championship title for the first time has their players pumped-up and fully focused ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Brothers, says head coach Ben Batger. 

Easts have travelled to Brisbane to take part in the annual competition which will be decided in one match against Brothers at Crosby Park – postponed one week due to ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Both sides qualified by winning their respective state competitions last season. 

While Brothers are gunning for back-to-back titles after beating Randwick last year, Easts are chasing a maiden trophy. 

Batger told Rugby News Easts were desperate to take an Australian Club Championship trophy back to Rose Bay for the first time in its history. 

“It’s been a really long preseason, and we want to win this trophy, which will mean we are effectively the best club rugby side in Australia,” he said.

“It’s our first shot at it. I saw an image that our emblem isn’t on the list of winners. We are desperate to get onto it.

“I view this competition as something really special. Looking at a perfect season, the biggest thing a club can win is the minor premiership, the Shute Shield and then this competition.

“These guys haven’t played in six months; they live to play the game. There’s 10 out of 10 excitement levels.”

Batger said his Easts team had drastically changed from the squad which won last season’s Shute Shield grand final.

“There are only four boys left. It’s the nature of semi-professional club footy,” he said. 

“People go off. They retire, or go to representative footy. We have lost a number of players to the Waratahs. But we have a great second grade side which did make a grand final last year, and a colts side which won one. 

“A lot of these guys have come up to the team. There’s also a lot of new recruits who are keen to impress in their first game for Easts. There’s a lot of turnovers, but it’s a solid side and we are ready for the game.”

With key men Jack Bowen and Teddy Wilson ruled out, Batger said he was eager to see some of Easts’ young stars play big roles. 

“I’m really keen to see how our young No.13 Otto Serfontein goes. I believe he has a bright future in the game,” he said. 

“The same goes for Billy Dickens, who was the premiership winning captain for the colts last year.

“Another one who could have a big part to play is Jack Tougher-Wells. He is an emerging second rower.” 

With limited time to prepare for the preseason clash, he said his team would focus on nailing the basics. 

“This is literally our first trial match,” Batger said. 

“If you can limit mistakes and hold the ball, and be disciplined in defence, you will win games.”