By MARK CASHMAN

A bye week can be an unknown beast at times in a compressed season but Eastwood coach Ben Batger reckons it has been the perfect tonic as the Woodies set sail for the Shute Shield finals.

The Woodies take on Warringah on Saturday and the knocks and bumps of 10 straight weeks of footy it must be said were taking a toll.

Batger has been able to welcome back Tim Anstee into his pack and freshen up for young flyhalf Tane Edmed has been invaluable.

“The bye came at a really good time for us because we had lots of bumps and bruises,” Batger said.