By Jonathan B Geddes

RANDWICK will field 13 graduates from their Colts ranks in the starting side for Saturday’s Shute Shield opener against Eastwood at TG Millner Field.

That impressive statistic includes the entire Wicks’ backline.

And it hasn’t happened by accident. The Galloping Greens are reaping the rewards from their targeted development system, which also saw them win the first grade Colts grand final last season.

“We are a local club and we encourage that  – to develop our own juniors, bring them through and be a pathways club to try to get them into pro footy,” Randwick first grade coach Shaun Berne told Rugby News.

He believes the emphasis on the Colts’ systems is the right blueprint to move forward.

“Obviously the game has gone professional, so there is a lot of movement around the world,” he said. “We like that we have local juniors who are connected to the club here and want to play well for Randwick.

“They do a great job and have made the club successful for many years.”

THE CENTRES OF ATTENTION           

TWO of the former Colts – Zac Carr and Matias Jensen – will form a new Randwick centre combination on Saturday after both boosted their rugby CVs playing overseas.

Carr has returned from a stint in the NPC in New Zealand, while Jensen was playing Major League Rugby in the United States with Stephen Hoiles’s Los Angeles team.

“Those two guys are welcome additions,” Berne said. “They both have really high workrates and bring a bit of experience.”

Another globetrotting former Colt who has returned to Coogee is blindside flanker Zac McConnell, who played with the Irish sevens team. “He has trialled well,” Berne said.

In another boost for Randwick their  2024 grand final No.10 and 2024 Ken Catchpole Medal winner Andrew Deegan and experienced halfback Mitch Short have been named in the halves to face Eastwood.

Deegan did not play last season, and Short had been expected to hang up the boots.

TOUGH DAY AT MILLNER

EASTWOOD are a bit of an unknown quantity following an upheaval at the end of last season with the departure of coach Dave Telfer to Gordon and an exodus of players following him to Chatswood.

Former high-profile NRL coach Anthony Griffin has taken over as Woodies’ head coach.

“Last year we did pretty well against them in a trial game, and then they beat us in round one,” Berne said.

“We played them three weeks ago in Camden in a trial, and again did fairly well. But it is a different  Eastwood team that turns up and plays at TG Millner in round one –  we experienced that last year.

“We know trial form doesn’t really count for anything there. I expect them to rip in like they always do – they are a proud bunch who play well at home.”

TAKING ON EDDIE

RANDWICK faces a challenging week. On Tuesday they play the Japanese Under-23 side, coached by proud Randwick stalwart Eddie Jones, at Coogee Oval.

The game kicks off at 2pm and be televised not only on Stan, but live across Japan on national TV.

The Wicks then back up on Saturday week in the big local derby against Eastern Suburbs at Coogee Oval.