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.

“The boys have come back refreshed and recharged but knowing that we have to switch on straight away because the Rats are a dangerous side.”

Eastwood currently sit in fourth spot, three points behind the third placed Randwick, who have the buy this weekend.

A good win would see them jump up the competition table and really set up their run at the playoffs.

Batger is wary of Rats No.10 Ben Marr who has been carving them up since moving closer to the action from fullback two weeks ago.

“I think moving Ben Marr to 10 has really helped them and he has been able to ignite their attack,” Batger added.

“The key against them is never switching off, they have a number or threats all over the park – Josh Holmes, Marr, Boyd Killingworth, Seb Wileman, Sam Ward, Tyson Davis – so we have to be switched on as a defensive unit otherwise any one of them can break a game open.”

Warringah coach Mike Ruthven likes the fact that this game has some silverware on office – the Sir Roden Cutler Shield.

“Eastwood are playing with some nice shape and have some real strike power across the park so we will need to be at our best to get a good result,” Ruthven said.

“We have had two positive weeks but we are well aware we have to go up a cog or two on Saturday.

Our set piece is going to have to be switched on to ensure we have a platform to play from.

“Eastwood always present a challenge at scrum time but we are confident that the troops we have will do a job for us.

“I’m looking forward to seeing ‘Wardy’ really lift against against a strong Eastwood back row. He has accepted the challenge for us when we have needed that physical presence throughout the year and we will need that again on Saturday.”

EASTWOOD (1-15):

Jed Gillespie, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Ratu Tuisese, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

WARRINGAH (1-15):

Jayden Taylor, Wes Thomas, Wayne Borsak, Andrew Davies, Alex O’Dell, Charlie McKill, Boyd Killingworth, Sam Ward (c), Josh Holmes, Ben Marr, Charlie Tupu, Robbie Nelson, Seb Wileman (vc), Esera Chee Kam, Tyson Davis.

IMAGE: SERGE GONZALEZ / EASTWOOD RUGBY