Shute Shield 2025

[Blazing Saddles]

I was out at Eric tweedale on the weekend, they have done a great job with the field, it stood up to the conditions extremely well

 

[the coach]

The points scorecard from the Easts vs Uni game on the weekend is interesting, the corporation appear to have breached the cap (101 points) and some interesting interpretations from Easts YET AGAIN with Harvey (3) Paterson (1) Fifita (1) . Eamonn Doyle was 5 points so hard to understand why Harvey was less ?? Anyways leave it up to the administrators and their calculators

I pointed out the Fifita issue a few weeks ago. Last year he was 11 points, after some controversy. Don't understand how he's dropped 10 points. All clubs are supposed to be using the same source for the player points this year so shouldn't be any issues
Will be interesting to see what happens with Uni. They lost the game and can't make the playoffs so losing competition points won't achieve anything.

 

[Homer]

Only women's games at Keirle today

Great game as well. Those Wildfire ladies can tackle!!

 

[Pfitzy]

Eastwood announce Anthony Griffin as First Grade Coach, expanding his Director Of Rugby role

 

[Pfitzy]

Eastwood Rugby Club on Instagram: "As Eastwood Rugby looks ahead to the 2026 season, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Griffin as First Grade Head Coach. This appointment reflects our commitment to strong leadership and long term

7 likes, 0 comments - eastwoodrugby on August 3, 2025: "As Eastwood Rugby looks ahead to the 2026 season, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Griffin as First Grade Head Coach. This appointment reflects our commitment to strong leadership and long term stability. Over the...

www.instagram.com

 

[Crashy]

is he the league bloke? does he have a background in rugby?

 

[wamberal99]

Yes he is. I don't think he has much of a rugby background. Then again, neither did John Muggleton, or Les Kiss.

 

[the coach]

Never played or coached union apparently. 52% win rate as league coach.

Muggleton has mainly been a defence coach in union, but was head coach of Georgia in the 2011 World Cup.

Kiss had almost 20 years experience in assistant coaching etc roles before becoming head coach of London Irish in 2018.

 

[wamberal99]

Never played or coached union according to Wikipedia. 52% win rate as league coach.

Not sure what to make of this.

 

[the coach]

Time will tell!

 

[pnut]

Money grab two roles two pay packs

 

[Pfitzy]

Not sure what to make of this.

Wamberal, old chap, we're trying to decide if he's a Good Rugby Man or not.

 

[Crashy]

Any insights Wamberal? Seems a risk for such a proud club - or is he a no brainer?

 

[Blazing Saddles]

As it stands 2 teams in the top 6 for 1st grade do not field all grades, at least my two blues,souths and wests can hold their heads high for competing at all levels as per the by-laws

 

[teamsport]

Two Blues have forfeited 3rd colts all year, plus have forfeited 4th grade and 2nd colts one game each I think.

They are incrementally growing the player numbers but not there yet.

Eastwood not fielding a 4th grade is just pure laziness.

 

[wamberal99]

Wamberal, old chap, we're trying to decide if he's a Good Rugby Man or not.

View attachment 22977

Can't see any leather patches on the sleeves of his sportscoat.

 

[wamberal99]

Any insights Wamberal? Seems a risk for such a proud club - or is he a no brainer?

No idea. He has been in a senior role for a while, so presumably Brett Papworth has seen enough of him to rate him.

 

[teamsport]

I have heard of a mass exodus at Eastwood due to the sacking of Dave Telfer. Apparently Anthony Griffin with his hands all over it and now the head coach.

Further to this Rob Cusack the Chairman and Brett Papworth the President in recent weeks have been championing the weaker clubs like Parramatta, Souths & Wests to basically stop all player movement at 1st & 2nd grade level which some clubs have mentioned as a restraint of trade. This all due to the situation unfolding with their own coaches.

Classic if it affects us we care but it's funny that Eastwood haven't campaigned till now.

 

[Desmond]

Surely Eastwood realise that if you sack the Coach who ran your colts program and then your grade program you would have a serious problem with retention across the board. Ben Batger left and he only took 1st grade players this has the potential to be bigger than that.

 

[Pfitzy]

I have heard of a mass exodus at Eastwood due to the sacking of Dave Telfer.

I have also heard that many players left after last year because of Dave Telfer.

That's the thing about the rumour mill: timing and agendas are more prominent than facts.

The truth is usually something else, and rarely spotted.

One thing is for sure: the uncertainty around Eastwood's eventual move must be a pain in the arse for the club.