No longer the new kids on the block, there’s only one word Hunter Wildfires flanker Donny Freeman had to describe last year’s season. 

After breaking into the finals in 2023, Hunter finished 10th last year but don’t plan on getting comfortable at the bottom end of the Shute Shield ladder. 

“We were really disappointed with last season, particularly after making the finals in 2023. But like everything there’s always lessons, especially in failure,” Freeman told Rugby News. 

“Failure is probably not the right word, but we didn’t finish where we wanted to last year and we want to change that in 2025.”

Freeman said a lack of depth and a horror run with injuries impacted the Wildfires campaign significantly last year. 

The club has addressed that over summer though and welcomed former Waratahs coach Darren Coleman to the club in a major coup for the Wildfires. 

“DC has been awesome and he’s added a new level or professionalism and standards to the club. All the boys are really enjoying having him around,” Freeman explained. 

“On the field, we changed up the timing of our preseason this year quite a bit, so we’re hoping that impacts how we time our run when the competition starts. 

“Off the field, he’s also working hard to build the club within the local community up here in Newcastle. We want to be a club and a team that all the locals up here want to support and we’ve got to put in the work in the community to make that a thing.”

The Wildfires will field two colts teams in 2025 for the first time in a positive sign for the future of the club. Those teams will play alongside two grade and two women’s teams in Newcastle this season. 

“We’ve got a lot of country fellas that have come from the Central West and Central North and that’s another big focus for the club. We want to be a second home for country fellas that don’t want to live in Sydney. It’s what got me here and I know how appealing it is for others like me.”

Still only 24, Freeman is working in disability care away from rugby in Newcastle but said he’s still pushing for another crack at professional rugby, after spending a summer with the Western Force at the backend of 2023. 

“That flame’s still burning bright and I’m working closely with all the coaches, but particularly DC, to nudge in that direction,” the flanker said. 

“I know my attacking game can definitely improve. I’d say that’s my biggest work on and I’ve known that for a long time now. You’ve always got to be your own harshest critic.

“But I’d say that the main thing is to just be a consistent performer and impact every game you play in. That’s what I’m looking to do this year.”

Hunter face Warringah, Easts, Eastwood and Southern Districts in the opening month of the season, that kicks off in just over six weeks on April 5.