Shute Shield 2026

[savetgmillner]

Heard through the traps at TG Millner last night that Two Blues have been offering some Eastwood colts players 5k?

From what I understand they are Two Blues Juniors however 5k is quite excessive is it not? Or is this the going rate for a colt these days?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not saying you didn't hear that but seems like word on the street that has grown the number.

 

[savetgmillner]

It is interesting seeing Eastwood announce their signings this off-season. Something that has not been done in the past.

I have heard allegations of reasons behind why some players are allegedly leaving. I would like to pre-empt and say these aren't my opinions but if they are remotely true it is very concerning for a long time supporter of the club. The talk is that allegedly parts of the Eastwood board made comments that they don't want too many pasifika players at the club because they "don't want to be the next West Harbour or Two Blues".

Has anyone else heard this?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Hopefully just an absurd piece of scuttlebutt because otherwise it's one of the most naive comments you could make and if that's your'e beliefs then the Club deserves to flounder.

Not a Club in Sydney that doesn't have a heavy PI influence and that include Kiwis. They love to play the sport!

Those Clubs have suffered through poor management, investment, changing local demographics and recruitment of players by others.

 

[HarryElite]

Heard through the traps at TG Millner last night that Two Blues have been offering some Eastwood colts players 5k?

From what I understand they are Two Blues Juniors however 5k is quite excessive is it not? Or is this the going rate for a colt these days?

This must be mitch holmes, a parra junior. who instead has joined gordon on what i hear is more that that deal offered above.... as well as a few other eastwood boys who are all at gordon now (not guys who are gordon juniors either)

 

[HarryElite]

It is interesting seeing Eastwood announce their signings this off-season. Something that has not been done in the past.

I have heard allegations of reasons behind why some players are allegedly leaving. I would like to pre-empt and say these aren't my opinions but if they are remotely true it is very concerning for a long time supporter of the club. The talk is that allegedly parts of the Eastwood board made comments that they don't want too many pasifika players at the club because they "don't want to be the next West Harbour or Two Blues".

Has anyone else heard this?

im a big fan of announcements, especially for rugby supporters in general and something to get excited about rather than having to wait until round 1 to see team sheets.

also interesting to see who they have left out of announcements.

i had heard tuilagi, fukofuka, michael stringer had left, and heard lachlan albert, harry snook, james mcgregor and jl and sam bacon, with mitch holmes have all gone to gordon, charlie sorovi gone to warringah, hokafonu to sydney uni and harry turner unsure of retirement

 

[pnut]

It is interesting seeing Eastwood announce their signings this off-season. Something that has not been done in the past.

I have heard allegations of reasons behind why some players are allegedly leaving. I would like to pre-empt and say these aren't my opinions but if they are remotely true it is very concerning for a long time supporter of the club. The talk is that allegedly parts of the Eastwood board made comments that they don't want too many pasifika players at the club because they "don't want to be the next West Harbour or Two Blues".

Has anyone else heard this?

Yep. Pissed a lot of people off

 

[Pfitzy]

harry turner unsure of retirement

He's not that old, surely?

 

[HarryElite]

Eastwood announced 2 weeks ago Craig hawkins as head of high performance, pathways and colts lead.

Today Craig Hawkins announced as director of rugby at randwick.

Gotts love early announcement changes.

 

[wamberal99]

It's getting pretty depressing from where I sit.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

It's getting pretty depressing from where I sit.

Mr Griffin must have the full support of the board

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

We need a welfare check on Brett Papworth ASAP.

 

[HarryElite]

Yep. Pissed a lot of people off

there is some def rumours going around regarding this

 

[Crashy]

Hearing Norths are paying $5k to Colts as well. You think with Mosman, Drummoyne, Hunters Hill and Norths Pirates juniors that you'd have a pipeline of players into colts who dont need paying.... As well as schools nearby such as Shore, St Aloyisus, Riverview who all play rugby...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Kids are happy to travel to play so you have to pay. Plenty of blokes living on the North Shore going over East. Why would they do it for free if the bloke who may be next to them is getting $?

Norths also have a stink on them around Colts and anything below the Gods of 1st Grade which they may be trying to shift.

 

[Crashy]

Yep - have been told by a few that Sinclair is being paid to put a rocket into the program.
Also hearing that Harry Jones at Manly is recruiting very hard presently. ( first hand).

 

[savetgmillner]

there is some def rumours going around regarding this

Very interesting that this is being backed up by others and then Eastwood puts out a post saying how they support Pasifika Cup. It's as though as they are in damage control with our Head of Colts Craig Hawkings only lasting 76 days before going to Randwick? The latest chat is that their are plans to allegedly vote out Brett Papworth (and potentially other board members) at the upcoming AGM. As a member of the club I haven't received my notice but will be very interested to see how this unfolds.

Eastwood Rugby will host Pasifika Youth Cup training sessions each Saturday through November, culminating in a final muster of 270 players representing more than 58 heritages, including Polynesian and Melanesian nations. The NSW Rugby Pasifika Youth Cup is an annual tournament that attracts players from across NSW to Western Sydney for a weekend of rugby, showcasing the energy and unity that drives the game’s growth in multicultural communities.

It is an opportunity for Eastwood Rugby to continue its commitment to diversity and player development through initiatives that shape the future of rugby. The Club’s longstanding investment in these programs reflects a legacy of inclusion, opportunity, and connection to community.

Since 2019, Eastwood Rugby has led the way in expanding rugby opportunities across Western and North Western Sydney. This culminated in a partnership with the Western Sydney Academy of Sport to establish a rugby program.

“The Woods have always believed that rugby has the power to bring people together,” said, Rob Cusack, Club Chairman. “The culture and sense of belonging that exists within our Club, on and off the field, are part of what make Eastwood Rugby special. Programs like the Western Sydney Academy that we created, and now our support of the Pasifika Cup, show how serious we are about the growth of rugby and its diversity across the district.”

The initial program quickly became a success, attracting players and families from across the West, South West and North West regions before Eastwood Rugby evolved the concept into a dedicated Western Zone Academy. Following a short break due to the pandemic, the program returned and provided 38 players aged 14 to 16 from the Eastwood, Two Blues, and Penrith districts advanced training opportunities beyond the standard pathway.

 

[HarryElite]

Very interesting that this is being backed up by others and then Eastwood puts out a post saying how they support Pasifika Cup. It's as though as they are in damage control with our Head of Colts Craig Hawkings only lasting 76 days before going to Randwick? The latest chat is that their are plans to allegedly vote out Brett Papworth (and potentially other board members) at the upcoming AGM. As a member of the club I haven't received my notice but will be very interested to see how this unfolds.

Eastwood Rugby will host Pasifika Youth Cup training sessions each Saturday through November, culminating in a final muster of 270 players representing more than 58 heritages, including Polynesian and Melanesian nations. The NSW Rugby Pasifika Youth Cup is an annual tournament that attracts players from across NSW to Western Sydney for a weekend of rugby, showcasing the energy and unity that drives the game’s growth in multicultural communities.

It is an opportunity for Eastwood Rugby to continue its commitment to diversity and player development through initiatives that shape the future of rugby. The Club’s longstanding investment in these programs reflects a legacy of inclusion, opportunity, and connection to community.

Since 2019, Eastwood Rugby has led the way in expanding rugby opportunities across Western and North Western Sydney. This culminated in a partnership with the Western Sydney Academy of Sport to establish a rugby program.

“The Woods have always believed that rugby has the power to bring people together,” said, Rob Cusack, Club Chairman. “The culture and sense of belonging that exists within our Club, on and off the field, are part of what make Eastwood Rugby special. Programs like the Western Sydney Academy that we created, and now our support of the Pasifika Cup, show how serious we are about the growth of rugby and its diversity across the district.”

The initial program quickly became a success, attracting players and families from across the West, South West and North West regions before Eastwood Rugby evolved the concept into a dedicated Western Zone Academy. Following a short break due to the pandemic, the program returned and provided 38 players aged 14 to 16 from the Eastwood, Two Blues, and Penrith districts advanced training opportunities beyond the standard pathway.

absolutely damage control. apparently something will be leaked out soon...

 

[Hankspank]

Very interesting that this is being backed up by others and then Eastwood puts out a post saying how they support Pasifika Cup. It's as though as they are in damage control with our Head of Colts Craig Hawkings only lasting 76 days before going to Randwick? The latest chat is that their are plans to allegedly vote out Brett Papworth (and potentially other board members) at the upcoming AGM. As a member of the club I haven't received my notice but will be very interested to see how this unfolds.

Eastwood Rugby will host Pasifika Youth Cup training sessions each Saturday through November, culminating in a final muster of 270 players representing more than 58 heritages, including Polynesian and Melanesian nations. The NSW Rugby Pasifika Youth Cup is an annual tournament that attracts players from across NSW to Western Sydney for a weekend of rugby, showcasing the energy and unity that drives the game’s growth in multicultural communities.

It is an opportunity for Eastwood Rugby to continue its commitment to diversity and player development through initiatives that shape the future of rugby. The Club’s longstanding investment in these programs reflects a legacy of inclusion, opportunity, and connection to community.

Since 2019, Eastwood Rugby has led the way in expanding rugby opportunities across Western and North Western Sydney. This culminated in a partnership with the Western Sydney Academy of Sport to establish a rugby program.

“The Woods have always believed that rugby has the power to bring people together,” said, Rob Cusack, Club Chairman. “The culture and sense of belonging that exists within our Club, on and off the field, are part of what make Eastwood Rugby special. Programs like the Western Sydney Academy that we created, and now our support of the Pasifika Cup, show how serious we are about the growth of rugby and its diversity across the district.”

The initial program quickly became a success, attracting players and families from across the West, South West and North West regions before Eastwood Rugby evolved the concept into a dedicated Western Zone Academy. Following a short break due to the pandemic, the program returned and provided 38 players aged 14 to 16 from the Eastwood, Two Blues, and Penrith districts advanced training opportunities beyond the standard pathway.

True TG but Hawko has been there for the last 8 years. New role is 76 days. Not exactly flew in and flew out