2025 - The Cyber View from the Hill

29th Jan 2025

Steady Rebuild

It's been a very low key off season as the club works on it's rebuild from the ground up after what can only be described as our worst season across all 8 grades in the club's history, bar exclusion years. Accountability and fitness and individual expectations have been a feature across the playing group during the off season. Gone are not only the coach but the old medical team and strength and conditioning group. It looked like we went to a skeleton crew while we worked on restarting the club. I am watching with interest how we bridge the gap we ended up in last year, both on and off the field.

Welcome Bennett

It like the second coming of the messiah, with the return of Wayne Bennett. He was parachuted in to fix the club by owner Russell Crowe. But it wasn't all his way as concerns of the post Bennett legacy are still fresh in the minds of many. Bennett quickly set about letting the leadership group know what was expected of them. Having David Furner also directing the show at juniors' level is helping set the expectations of the next generation of stars. Being basically Football Director, Recruitment Manager, Coach and psychologist, Bennett has a presence and a knowledge of how to get a club moving forward. Everyone is looking forward to the improvement. The only way is up.

Schuster and Sullivan arrive

Two new players have been added over the off season in Schuster and Sullivan. Schuster joined wanting an opportunity to re-prove himself. He has the ability to be quality ball playing second rower but will need field time. Sullivan is an interesting one. He is being subsidised by the Wests-Tigers and after the arrival of Luai, he didn't want to play backup. With Cody Walker nearing the end of his career he adds creativity and vital competition in the halves. Looking forward to both players having a successful year.

Homebush continues to be unavailable at start of the season

Our financial incentive to play at Stadium Australia, continues to come with a catch. This being its unavailability in February and March. This causes us once again to play on the road for the first 3 rounds of the competition. With the first third of the season being critical to the success of a season, we are giving away a vital advantage, early in the season once again. Not to mention it devalues the season member tickets.

Off Season News