Eastwood Young Guns Fire But Veterans Worry Melrose

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday September 18, 2004

Ben Kimber

Eastwood prop Benn Robinson secured the ball under one arm, firmly planted his left hand in the thorax of a Viking and drove forward, slamming the defender contemptuously to the ground.

The Woods were in the final stages of dismantling a powerful Canberra side last weekend when loose-head Robinson brushed aside the defence of his direct opposite, Vikings tight-head Guy Shepherdson, adding indignity to insult in the closing stages of the final-round victory.

The prodigious hand-off is no real reflection on ACT Brumbies prop Shepherdson, who has developed strongly this season, but it was certainly a snapshot that captured Eastwood's charge for a third successive title this year.

At age 22, Shepherdson is by no means an old hand in the shadowy business of propping up a scrum but, with a solid Super 12 season under his belt, he qualifies as vastly more experienced than the 19-year-old who packed in against him last Saturday.

Robinson is one of the promising youngsters the Woods have blooded this season, a crop of talent that was forced to mature quickly to survive in the harsh environment of Sydney rugby's top grade.

The vigour of youth can often be dashed on the walls of experience, particularly when introduced in large quantities, but for Eastwood the burgeoning talent uncovered this season has been the key to forging another powerful drive into the finals. After claiming their second consecutive Tooheys New Cup last season, an exodus of players had pundits predicting lean times ahead at T.G. Millner Field.

That forecast looked decidedly off the mark at 5pm last Saturday when the Woods left the field after a convincing win over Canberra, with second position firmly in their keeping.

"Everyone knows at the end of last year we lost a number of players with injury and retirement and so on and that opened up a number of opportunities for younger guys who might not have had that chance just yet and they've really stepped up," five-eighth Tim Donnelly said.

Players such as Robinson, second-rower Ben Hand, openside Will Brame and fullback Ben Batger have all held firm in first grade, and even late introductions such as winger Chris Daff have made their mark.

Daff was a replacement in the side three weeks ago, but form has forced coach Chris Hickey to keep the blond-headed flyer in his side. That faith was obviously repaid with an outstanding performance from Daff in the win over Canberra.

Facing up to Manly today, the young players will need to lift to another level but, while the fresh new faces may make their impact, wary Marlins coach Brian Melrose is well aware of the finals-hardened heart of the defending champion team.

"They've done well [with the young players], there's no doubt about it, but they still have that core of winning culture," Melrose said, "nine or 10 guys who have been there before plenty of times."

In their previous meeting, Manly emerged clear winners over Eastwood, but if there is any player who is central to the experience and drive Eastwood have, as opposed to the youth, it is their pivot Donnelly, according to Manly captain Nathan Grey.

"They were missing Tim Donnelly, who is their playmaker and probably the best five-eighth running around in club footy at the moment," Grey recalled. "He makes a massive difference to them, so we won't take too much from that last one."

Elsewhere, the suburban grand finals are also on today, from 9am at T.G. Millner Field, with Woollahra Colleagues in all five matches.

© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald

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