By Jonathan B Geddes       

NEW Eastwood head coach Anthony Griffin has expressed his pride in the Woodies’ squad after their extraordinary last-minute 33-31 victory over Randwick in the opening round of the Shute Shield at TG Millner Field on Saturday.

The team trailed 31-19 in the 78^th minute when backrower Sam Pickard scored a try in the corner, which was converted by replacement “Stretch” Corrigan from the sideline.

Then in the 84^th minute secondrower Jhy Legg crashed over to level the scores at 31-all. Another conversion from Corrigan sealed Eastwood’s stunning and unlikely victory.

The result against a strong Randwick side was all the more memorable following the turmoil that ensued at Eastwood when coach 2025 Dave Telfer departed to Gordon, with an exodus of players following him to Chatswood.

TOUGH GROUP OF COMPETITORS     

WHAT a memorable way for Griffin to kick off his rugby coaching career after previously being in charge of Brisbane, Penrith and St George Illawarra in the NRL.

“I was really happy for them, they hung in well all day, it was a good way for them to win,” Griffin told Rugby News. “Once we got that first try, I thought we were a good chance.

“We hadn’t had a great deal of ball or field position for most of the game, so once we got a bit in the last five minutes, I thought they had the ability to win it if we got in the right position.

“It is always nice to win. I was personally really proud of the playing group, the way they hung in there and kept coming.

“They are a tough group, competitors, they didn’t give up which is the main thing.”

EFFORT AND ATTITUDE    

CORRIGAN’S winning conversion was the only time that Eastwood were ahead the whole game.

“You just have to be in front when the fulltime siren goes, that’s the only time it counts,” Griffin said. “We were down by 10 or 12 a couple of times, but they kept finding a way to get back into the game.

“There is obviously plenty of improvement in them technically and execution wise – but they were spot on with their effort and attitude.”

Eastwood had five debutants in the starting team, with another three or four who came on at the end, all playing their part.

“It was a good day for the club, just to see all those guys out there playing first grade. The effort they showed to win was a great sign for them,” the coach said.

A HAPPY PAPPY

EASTWOOD president Brett Papworth echoed Griffin’s thoughts, describing the performance as “really gutsy” to stay in it.

“I was really happy for them because they hadn’t played well and they just found a way. They beat a very good team and a strong club,” Papworth said.

Looking at the impact that Griffin has had on Eastwood Papworth said: “He is just a rock solid, good fella.

“He keeps things simple, he is honest, he is a straight shooter, the boys all want to be there, they play for each other.

“He has created a really good environment and knows what a good footy club should look like.”

As for the off-season dramas, Papworth said the club was bigger than an individual.

“It was disruptive and not ideal because you’ve got to rebuild cohesion with a first grade team that has lost half its players,” he said.

“You get a good bunch of boys and you give them an opportunity and get the right people who want to be there for the right reasons and you’ve got a good club on your hands.”

This Saturday Eastwood face another big test against the Wildfires in Newcastle.