By Jonathan B Geddes

EASTWOOD has shaken up the Shute Shield by appointing former NRL coach Anthony Griffin as their new head coach for 2026.

The former Broncos, Panthers and Dragons coach is currently Eastwood’s Director of Rugby and will replace Dave Telfer.

Telfer has the side currently sitting in fifth spot with one round to play this Saturday but was told he won’t have the job next season. 

With the Woodies improvement this season Telfer would be a contender for coach of the year.

In a statement Eastwood said Griffin’s appointment reflects the club’s commitment to strong leadership and long-term stability.

“Over the past 12 months, Anthony has demonstrated his dedication to Eastwood Rugby in his role as Director of Rugby, playing an integral part in shaping our football program, supporting coaches across all levels, and helping embed a culture of professionalism and accountability,” the statement said.

“His commitment to the club, players, and staff has laid a strong foundation for what comes next.

“Anthony brings extensive experience at the elite level, with a proven track record in player development, high performance systems, and values driven teams.

“In his expanded role, he will not only lead our First Grade program but maintain and oversee alignment across all levels of rugby at the club, ensuring consistency in recruitment, playing style, and culture.”

SUPPORTING THEIR COACH 

EASTWOOD players, meanwhile, have an extra incentive heading into the finals by sending their current coach Telfer out as a winner.

“We are doing it for the coach, we are also doing it for the jersey too,” Woodies’ well-respected regular skipper Harry Turner told Rugby News after Saturday’s 32-12 loss to Warringah at Rat Park.

“He has made this team the team it is and we’ll support him.

“He’s given us the best opportunity to put ourselves in this position this year.”

A number of rival Shute Shield coaches found the timing of the announcement of Telfer’s departure curious, but it appears to have made the squad even more united and determined to finish Telfer’s tenure as a winner.

Asked what effect the news of Telfer’s impending departure had on the players – prior to knowing of Griffin’s appointment – Turner responded: “The boys want to fight for him 100 per cent.

“He’s built such a good thing here. We obviously got told that news and as a group we are dealing with it.

“He has done a lot for this club and we see him in a high light.”

WHAT THE CURRENT COACH SAID

WHATEVER disappointment he may have felt, Telfer has put that behind him and is fully focused on the job in hand.

“I’ve moved on from the decision,” he said after Saturday’s game. “I control the controllables, I’ve said that to the players all year.

“I can’t control the club’s decision, but what I can control is making sure we finish the season off on a positive.

“I’m not going to make my problems the team’s problems, I want to move on.” 

Telfer addressed his squad after the decision was made.

“I said we have to regroup as a team and that we had put too much effort in to let it go by the wayside,” he revealed. “It’s time for us to move on and finish the season off well.”    

Telfer wants to leave the club in a better place than when he found it.

“The main motivation for me is making sure we play well against Uni (at University)  next week and get in this finals series,” he said.

Depending on all the results Eastwood could finish as high as third – or even miss the finals if they lose to Uni.  

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

WARRINGAH made a powerful statement by bouncing back from the previous week’s loss to competition favourites Eastern Suburbs scoring a decisive win in wild weather with torrential rain and what felt like gale force winds.

At some stages the rain reached the backrow seats in the grandstand.

After trailing 12-0 early, the Rats drew 12-all by halftime on their way to scoring 32 unanswered points.

“Warringah played the conditions a lot better than us, and we didn’t adjust.” Telfer said.

“That showed the class of the Warringah side and why they are in second spot.” 

Rats coach Josh Holmes was understandably happy with his side’s performance in what he described as “diabolical” conditions.

“The boys did an amazing job to come from 12-0 down,” he said.

“To let in no points in the second half against the best attacking team in the comp was really good.”

He singled out ageless centre Tyson Davis for his best game of the season.