By Liam Cook

At the end of 2021 Jake Pappin took a major punt.

The flyhalf departed Brothers after three seasons to pursue greater opportunity and a new challenge.

Having now led Easts to three consecutive victories and establishing himself as a premier grade No.10 in the process, Pappin is more than content with his bold decision to join the Tigers.

“I’m pretty happy with where I’m at and I’m really happy with where our team’s at now,” Pappin told Rugby News.

“Hopefully we can keep this train moving because we’ve had three in a row.

“I’m absolutely loving it at Easts… I wouldn’t change it.”

After multiple seasons that saw him grind away in colts and through injury, the young playmaker is now thriving amidst the added responsibility of helping lead his new side at flyhalf.

“2020 was my last year of colts and I trained with the premier grade squad to improve and get in the swing of things,” Pappin said.

“In round one of 2021 I broke my foot against UQ and came back ten weeks later and tore the ligaments around that broken foot. That was my 2021, not much.”

Seeking a fresh start, Pappin’s path to joining Easts unveiled itself after linking up with an old coach.

“Ben Mowen had coached me previously in the under twenties Red’s academy and was really keen on me coming over to Easts.”

“I was looking to play premier grade, which was my goal. Ben said I’d have a pretty good chance at Easts so I made the big decision and I’m loving it at the moment.”

The Nudgee graduate was apprehensive about leaving Brothers, a club he was deeply invested in and had won a colts premiership with.

“I left school and was looking for a club and Brothers got my attention because my older brother played for Brothers at colts,” he said.

Following Ben Mowen’s advice, Pappin took the leap and geared up for a new challenge.

The No.10 was anxious about the potential reception he would receive at Easts but his fears were quickly laid to rest.

“They’ve embraced me really well which I was sort of worried about I’m not going to lie. Coming from Brothers is a hard club to come from, they’re not the most liked.”

“They welcomed me with open arms which I was quite anxious about so I can’t thank them enough for that.”

Since arriving at Bottomley Park, Pappin has been quick to absorb the advice of his new coaches and teammates.

“I love Benny as a coach I think he’s outstanding and I get along with really well with him as a mate as well.”

“Our back’s coach Paul Warwick used to be a very successful flyhalf for Munster so I’m under really qualified people and players. Having a coach who’s done it all before has been really good to connect with.

“That was a really big factor in my decision. I thought about where I could go and really improve and get the most out of myself.”

After a patchy first phase of the season, the flyhalf says his personal form and that of the side is on an upward trajectory.

“Every game I’m gaining more confidence within the club and I’ve noticed that my teammates are gaining more confidence in me every game which is massive for me. I’m big on my teammates having confidence in me.”

“We started pretty rough there were some tough losses at the start but I think that built our character.”

Having wrestled back form in recent weeks Easts now sit at four wins and four losses and are poised to usurp GPS on the ladder with a win this Saturday.

Falling short to the Gallopers in round two has informed the Tigers preparations for this weekend.

“We know they’re going to come out really hard. Last time we versed them we sort of had a few things wrong and we’ve got a few pointers we want to fix up,” Pappin said.

“They’re very good in open and broken play and they’ve got a fast back three so we know we can’t give them much time.

“They’re a very clinical team who are well coached and patient. They suffocate teams into making errors and choke teams out.”

Pappin has been instrumental in Easts’ resurgent form in recent weeks.

Coach Ben Mowen praised the playmaker’s defensive work earlier in the season and his attacking prowess was also on display against Sunnybank last week with two tries.

The No.10 is quick to commend his teammates for the Tiger’s recent victories, particularly Alex Smit.

“Alex Smit and I have bonded really well. I’ve versed him in years prior when he played at Wests and I was at Brothers.”

“It was pretty cool to now play on the same team and a completely different club we didn’t expect.

“He’s in fine form. He’s a workhorse and an absolute dog. He’s awesome for us over the ball and is an absolute menace for other teams. Having an openside flanker like that on your team is a huge card for us.

“He’s a great bloke, a really good mate.”

Jake Pappin’s new journey at Easts has seen him and his team flourish.

The flyhalf is confident his side will embrace the hard work that is to come in order to secure the ultimate prize.

“We really need to win a few of these upcoming games to start climbing the ladder and I really do see us being able to do it.”

“Hopefully back up for a bit of finals footy which we all love, but we are just taking it one week at a time.

“Our end goal that we promised at the start is hopefully a premiership.”