Eastwood’s 2017 Shute Shield campaign begins against Parramatta on Saturday

Eastwood embark on quest for Shute Shield success

Eastwood’s 2017 Shute Shield squad are leaner, meaner and ready to win.

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Consistency will be the key to success for Eastwood in 2017 after mental lapses and injury throughout the 2016 Shute Shield season held the Woods to sixth place and their worst finish in eight years.

Eastwood’s hopes of securing a third-straight title last year were dashed in a 41-32 opening round finals loss to Sydney University.

The Woods blew a 29-14 halftime lead in that game, which head coach Stu Woodhouse says was an example of the inconsistency that the club will need to fix in 2017.

“A lot of guys got their first taste of first grade last year and we also built a new leadership group and that takes time,” Woodhouse told rugbynews.net.

“We lost a few games we shouldn’t have last year and I think we lacked some leadership and mental toughness in those games but we’re better for that now.”

Despite Eastwood rugby team losing one of the side’s standout players in Cohen Masson to French Rugby, the majority of the first grade squad will go around again in 2017.

Jai Ayoub will be a pivotal piece in the side’s dominant attacking core. Picture: Serge Gonzalez

The star attacking core of Jai Ayoub, Mike McDougall, Tom Hill and Matt Gonzalez has returned for the quest to wrest back the Shute Shield.

According to Eastwood’s Director of Rugby John Manenti, back-rower Rhys Allen and prop Jed Gillespie will also be ones to watch this year.

“Rhys is getting better with every run and Gillespie’s fitter than he’s ever been,” Manenti said.

“Everyone’s looking a little bit leaner than last year and there’s some good depth around which is important.”

With just two wins separating first and seventh position in 2016, Manenti says the competition is shaping up to be even tighter.

“I think over the last four or five years Eastwood, Uni, Souths and Manly have been at the top of the competition.

“But this year there’s five to nine or even 10 teams that can actually win it, not just be in the finals.

“If we can be consistent with our performances and keep injury free, we’ll definitely be in position to have a crack.”

UPCOMING GAMES

Round 1

Saturday, April 1 v Parramatta at Granville Park, Merrylands

Round 2

Saturday, April 8 v Penrith at TG Millner Field

Round 3

Saturday, April 15 v Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval

Round 4

Saturday, April 22 v Warringah at Pittwater Park

Round 5

Saturday, April 29 v Manly at TG Millner Field