Tom Hill scores against Manly last weekend. Photo: PL6 Photography

by Brendan Bradford –

Eastwood centre Tom Hill has put his last-second penalty miss against Southern Districts in the first week of the finals behind him and says he’s ready to take the kicking tee in this Saturday’s Shute Shield Grand Final if necessary.

Trailing the Rebels by two points with a minute left on the clock, Eastwood were awarded a long-range penalty and – with regular kicker Ben Batger icing an injured knee – Hill assumed responsibility for the kick, which sailed away and left Southern Districts to hold on for the win.

“Not being the regular kicker, I hadn’t done that much training throughout the year and I just wish I could have it again,” Hill said this week.

“I just didn’t go through my routines properly, but everyone was really great and said regardless of the kick, we had our chances to win the game. You can’t do anything about it and that’s the good thing about where we finished on the table – we worked hard all year to finish second and have the chance to rectify it.”

Ben Batger shows the pain after a shot at goal last weekend. Photo: Karen Watson.

Batger is in the Woods’ starting line-up but still has a niggling knee injury and went off early last weekend against Manly, meaning Hill could be called on for kicking duties at any stage during Saturday’s Grand Final – a rematch with Southern Districts.

“In the past two weeks I’ve been practising a whole lot more and feel a lot more confident with my kicking than I did against Southern Districts,” he says.

“I’ve just been working heaps with Tim Donnelly who’s been a massive help for me. I’ve learnt from that kick and I’m more prepared, so if it comes around again, I’ll be ready.”

It’s a tough old life being a kicker – especially the back-up. Land it and you’re the hero, like Ben Volavola against Sydney University last weekend or Bernard Foley in the Super Rugby final. But miss and that’s all anyone seems to remember, regardless of what took place over the preceding 80-minutes of rugby.

Eastwood coach John Manenti didn’t fault Hill for the loss to Southern Districts.

“That’s life and I’m certainly not blaming Tommy for not winning that game, we had enough ups and downs and problems to sort out chances to win it,” said the 2011 Shute Shield winning coach immediately after the match.

Thinking of the bigger picture is what makes Manenti such a good coach and it’s an approach that sparks confidence in his players.

“John’s very honest with you in your performance, but he’s also really good at gauging where the guys are at – he knows we’re not robots and he treats us like human beings,” said Hill, who switched from Gordon to Eastwood last year.

Jai Ayoub in action against Manly last weekend. Photo: Karen Watson

“It’s been great, especially this year, I had a good preseason and we even went away to Byron over Christmas, so we’re really close. Everyone gets along really well and if we’re not training or playing we’ll go out for dinner midweek. It’s a really good environment and I’m loving it.”

Hill isn’t the only Eastwood convert who’s flourishing. Flyhalf Jai Ayoub tried out a few clubs and had a stint in league before finding a home at T.G. Millner. He served his apprenticeship under Jimmy Hilgendorf and Pierre Hola last season before Manenti rewarded him with the First Grade number 10 jersey for the Woods’ Round 9 match against Sydney University earlier this year.

Big call.

“Jai’s been playing really well in seconds and has been steering that side around well, so we feel he’s entitled to that opportunity,” Manenti told Rugby News at the time.

Ayoub turned that opportunity into a win over the Students and now, six months on, has the chance to win Eastwood’s second title in four years.

“Jai’s been a good footballer for a long time and it’s certainly no surprise to me what he’s been doing this year,” Manenti said this week.

“I’m really happy for him, he works hard and really loves the game. I’m a massive believer in if you’re happy off the field, you’re happy on the field and I think he’s in a good place. He’s had a daughter in the last 12 months, he has his own business and a lot of friends at Eastwood and that all adds up to him being a happy camper.”

One Woody who’s certainly prospered from Ayoub’s inclusion is Hill, who formed a lethal partnership with his number 10 this year.

“He’s been awesome and we’ve got a good combination together from last year when I played a couple of games in the centres in twos and he was the five-eighth – I just remember thinking he was awesome,” says Hill.

“I wasn’t surprised that he’s played so well this season. His ball skills and the way he goes to the line are awesome and I benefit from that and so does Doogs (inside-centre Michael McDougall). We get along really well off the field too, so Jai’s a really gifted player, but also a really good bloke.”