Macarthur Conference: East Campbelltown Eagles plan for premiership success

East Campbelltown Eagles have soared higher than most footy teams before, earning prized silverware everywhere they go. Now they return to battle old foes in the new-look Macarthur Conference competition.

East Campbelltown Eagles have soared higher than most footy teams before, manoeuvring between competitions and earning prized silverware everywhere they go.

The first grade trophy cabinet is weighed down by a Canterbury Competition premiership (2007), Group 6 premiership (2012), Claytons Cup for top country footy team (2012) and three Sydney Shield titles (2014, 2016 and 2018).

East Campbelltown Eagles celebrating the 2016 Sydney Shield premiership.

Now, the club is ready to take on their old foes in the new-look Macarthur Conference, facing off many of the clubs who played a hand of voting them out of the former Group 6 competition following the 2012 season.

An official decision has now been made to cut ties with the Sydney Shield competition, with the club solely focused on the Macarthur Conference.

Eagles in action in 2019.

First grade coach Richard Barnes, who returns for his 16th season, said the Macarthur region had been “crying out” for a new competition structure for a long time and he had his sights set on a new trophy.

“I’m not going to say the standard cliche that we just want to make the finals and we are happy to be part of it,” he said. “We are here for nothing else but to win it.

“We know every other team are going to put us out in front, they are probably going to see us as the benchmark before we even get there. We know the pressure is going to be on us but we don’t expect anything less.”

East Campbelltown Eagles coach Richard Barnes.

When asked if the unhappy break-up between the Eagles and Group 6 competition would be an added motivation, Barnes didn’t mince his words.

“I could say nah, nah, nah, not at all – but that’s bulls**t. I’m filthy at it still. We are looking forward to next year.”

Since last competing in a locally-based seniors competition, the Campbelltown-based club has gone from strength to strength with a major revamp of home ground Waminda Oval and the addition of about a dozen new teams, bringing the total to 34.

Long-time president Daniel Draper says the trophy collection isn’t what he is most proud of, but the club’s sense of community.

East Campbelltown Eagles 2022 coaching staff – Daniel Draper, Fred Gebbie, Laurie Mirko, John Da Silva, Chris Standing, Jarryd Eggleton, Jeb Jackson, Richard Barnes, Adam Nibre and Brett Ball.

The Eagles coaching team will include Brett Ball, who coached a 2020 under-18 premiership-winning team, being promoted to first grade assistant coach.

Experienced campaigner and Sydney Shield premiership-winner Jarryd Eggleton will captain/coach reserve grade, with assistant coaches Chris Standing and Jeb Jackson.

Third grade will be mentored by Fred Gebbie for the fifth season, supported by Daniel Draper as assistant coach.

Under-18s will be coached by John Da Silva and the women’s tackle team led by Laurie Mirko.

“Our club is in very good hands and fortunate to have such committed coaches, our clubs future has never looked so bright and we look forward in the new challenges ahead in the Macarthur Conference,” Daniel Draper said.

The club’s seniors teams are to start pre-season training next week.