By Jon Geddes/Image: Stewart Hazell

FED up with their reputation of being a competitive team, the Hunter Wildfires have upped the ante and set themselves the goal of becoming Shute Shield premiers in 2023.

The ambitious target was embraced by the determined playing group during a pre-season camp held in the Hunter Valley.

“All the players set a goal to win the comp,” said Wildfires’ coach Scott Coleman.

“We were pretty adamant about making the top six – and a lot of them weren’t happy with that. They are sick of being known as a team that just want to compete, they want to win it.”

And that was just the kind of attitude that any coach would want to see from his squad.

“For me there is really nothing more pleasing, it was player led and I know that I have got 42 blokes here all willing to put in,” Coleman said.

That weekend camp on a farm in the Hunter Valley sowed the seeds for a strong Wildfires’ campaign this season.

“We did a three-hour training session at Maitland Rugby Club in the morning, then we went go-karting and across to the farm for lots of team-building games and activities to bring the team closer together,” Coleman said.

The players got a lot more up close and personal than expected when a ferocious southerly storm swept through and they were stuck together in a tin shed on the property for six hours.

“In hindsight it was a really good thing,” the coach admitted.

The Wildfires’ campaign has got off to a positive start, winning their opening two premiership games against Manly (27-19) and Randwick (31-24). Hunter, Norths and Easts are the only teams still undefeated.          

“You can’t ask for anything more, but one more bonus point in the first game is the only thing that could have been better,” Coleman said.

“We are trying not to get too carried away, but probably the beautiful thing is that we are still not playing to our potential – we have more room to improve and that is really pleasing.”

COMMITTED GROUP  

COLEMAN said the big difference between the Wildfires in 2023 compared to last year has been their consistency and cohesion.

“We have retained most of our players from last year plus we have a lot more depth,” he said. “We are a year older, our culture and team cohesion has got a lot better.

“And our pre-season this year was probably the best I have seen from the club, they were really committed and the players are driving the standards which is what you want.”  

Coleman said No.13 Tom Watson has been a massive standout after joining the club as a 21-year-old.

“And he has got better and better every year,” Coleman said.

No.7 Donny Freeman is known as the club’s “Everywhere Man” and has really been making an impact.

He hailed from West Wyalong in the Riverina and after leaving school spent three years at Easts in Colts and grade.

“He just didn’t want to live in Sydney anymore and last year he came to us,” Coleman said.

Another positive from the strong start to the season has been the increased support for the team from Newcastle locals.

A UNIVERSITY TEST 

THE Wildfires face their biggest challenge so far in their first away game this Saturday against Sydney University.

“It’s the dreaded trip on the F3, but that’s where we want to play in that Sydney competition are we are definitely keen,” Coleman said. “But it doesn’t get any harder than Uni at Uni. They have been the best team for the last decade, that’s for sure.”