By LIZ MOORE

In his second season back at Easts, in-form scrum half Eli Pilz is liking what he sees.

Naming this year’s squad as one of the best he’s been a part of in and outside of club footy, Pilz puts it down to a level between them and coaches who are as “good as it gets”.

“I think just the balance now of old heads and experience, and younger guys coming through and really challenging everyone, keeping everyone on their toes,” 23-year-old Pilz said.

“It shows with the depth across the park now. I think there’s been probably two or three rounds where we’ve gone through and all grades have won their games against other clubs.”

This was the case against Sunnybank on the weekend, with Premier grade beating the Dragons 36-12 and all other Tigers’ grades winning except for Colts 5.

“We were pretty wary of Sunnybank. We knew they had a lot experienced and big-game players. A lot of the boys had played Aussie Sevens and Super Rugby and what not.

“We were quite happy with the end result, a bit scrappy but it was good,” Pilz said of their 24-point win over the Dragons, which was Sunnybank’s first loss of more than seven points this season.

“We’ve really been working on our defence this year, which helps us a lot,” Pilz said.

Pilz believes Premier grade’s coaching group led by Moses Rauluni and Mark Bartholomew have a way to bring out the best in their side.

“Moji definitely brought in a way a different style of footy to Easts,” Pilz said of head coach Rauluni whose nickname is Moji.

“A lot more of just playing what’s in front, and just backing yourself.

“I think this year with Barty, he’s brought that and some as well, variety,” Pilz said of Bartholomew.

“The coaches this year seem like they’re going above and beyond. Each week they’re coming to us with different plays to target different areas.

“Week in, week out, just changing it up, and having some fun with some of the moves we do. I think it just shows. It’s not really what number you’ve got on your back this year, it’s where you’re best suited to certain plays.”

After playing flyhalf for some of last year, Pilz has remained firm in the No.9 spot this year.

“Flyhalf was a bit of fun last year, but I’m a lot more comfortable at halfback, that’s for sure.”

Growing up in Coolum, Pilz started at Easts as a Colt whilst notching up a few Premiership games and getting picked for the Reds under-20s program numerous times.

His return to Easts last year came after a couple of years playing for Southern Districts in Sydney’s Shute Shield.

As for this weekend’s game against Wests, the young carpenter is pragmatic.

“It’s another one of those games where they probably haven’t had the results go their way this year. They’ve definitely got the potential.

“They beat GPS on the weekend to record one of their first wins of the year. I just think that just proves they’re not a team that can be taken lightly.

“It goes back to every game’s sort of a grand final this year, only versing every team once. Every point’s worth double, every win’s worth double.”

“I think we’re happy where we’re at. The goal is to finish one or two (on the ladder) and to make the major semi and hopefully go straight through to the grand final.”

As for teammates who have really impressed this year, Pilz nominates Matt Smit who has had big boots to fill, taking over former captain, Matt Gordon’s number 12 position.

“I played Colts with ‘Smity’ at Easts. He spent the last few years playing at Wests in reserve grade, I think. He’s just been huge for us this year, losing ‘Gordo’ especially.

“He’s just been that crash-runner in the middle of the field, to get you on the front foot and get you the hard yards. He’s been really good.”

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU