By Liam Cook

Easts’ inside centre Matt Smit believes his team’s season is on the right trajectory ahead of a clash with GPS at Bottomley Park on Saturday.

“We started the year really well and then we had some tough games against GPS, Wests and UQ,” Smit told Rugby News.

“The last couple of weeks as a whole we’ve improved and gotten better.”

Easts have a chance to surpass GPS on the ladder should they secure victory this weekend.

Having played the Gallopers in round two, they are ready for the challenge that awaits.

“Last time we played them their counterattack was really big so probably looking at them attacking from counterattack and their set piece is always pretty good especially their scrum,” Smit said.

“Since we versed them in the early rounds we’ve made improvements to our scrum and to our defence off that counterattack, so we are aware of what’s coming.”

The sixth placed Tigers have been busy in recent weeks.

Easts overcame Sunnybank in a high scoring affair last week just days after beating Souths in a rescheduled Wednesday round five contest, a unique challenge according to Smit.

“Playing three games in eight days was a new experience I don’t think I’ve ever done that.”

“The Wednesday game playing at night was probably the first time I’ve played a night game since high school so that was interesting.”

Smit says his form has aligned with that of a team adjusting to new players and coaches.

“It’s been a bit of a mixed bag for myself this year to be honest.”

“We had some new personnel in our backline so we were all finding our feet a little bit in that mid stage of the year.”

New coach Ben Mowen has fostered a professional setting for his men in season 2022.

Matt Smit, who initially began his career at Easts in 2016 before returning in 2020, says Mowen’s fresh approach has been valuable for the club.

“Benny’s been really good he’s brought that professionalism to the amateur club rugby environment.”

“He’s really understanding and has been really good at building those relationships between himself and the players but also facilitating those relationships amongst players.

“Having a bloke like Craigy (Simon Craig) who’s been there for a long time has helped him and also Paul Warwick who’s new this year. All three of them have worked really well together to create a program that’s been really good for everyone.”

The inside centre has intermittently been at Easts and Wests throughout his premier rugby career.

After a stint in Japan that was cut short through illness, Smit returned in time for the Tiger’s premiership in 2020.

The No.12 says his side’s return to form in recent weeks has been in large part due to the return of scrumhalf Eli Pilz.

“He’s come back from injury and only played three or four games this year but his kicking game and general game management has been really impressive for someone who hasn’t played much footy over the last twelve months.”

Easts’ are confident they can finish with a flurry for what remains of the year after an evenly poised first half of the season.

“We’ve set a really good foundation with currently being on four wins, four losses,” Smit said.

“Second half of the year we’re probably looking at building on that and it sounds silly but doing what we practice.

“Being really clinical with our exit and really starting to apply that pressure to teams in the right part of the field. When we do that we get the results that we’re after.”