Tim Finau will again be one of the keys to Endeavour Hills’ success in the Victorian Rugby Union Premier One competition. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills is preparing to put last year’s demons behind it when the Victorian Rugby Union Premier One competition kicks off on the weekend.
The Hills recorded just three wins in its 15 clashes in 2007, losing 10 of its last 11 matches to finish second last.
The second half of the season was a disaster, with several players refusing to pay fees before walking out on the club.
When injuries, work commitments and the introduction of the Pillar Cup were added to Endeavour Hills’ woes, the club became uncompetitive and was even forced to forfeit at one stage.
But new head coach Jeff Lemalu, who was in charge of the under-18 side last year, is promising a more uptempo offence and an improved performance this season.
“The boys are finally turning up in good numbers and we have a lot of boys up from the Colts last year and we’re expecting good things from them,” he said.
“We’re hoping to win more games than last year, that’s a good start and hopefully our young guys will grow in the next couple of years.
“You always plan to be in the finals and we have it in the back of our minds, but that’s a big goal to achieve.”
Lemalu replaces Mark Thompson, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury playing touch football in the off-season and faces a long recovery.
The other major departure is club star Lewis Leaumoana, who has joined Box Hill, but Lemalu is not concerned.
“We are very disappointed to lose him and I’m not sure to this day why he left, but we’re not going to build a team around one person,” he said.
“There is a new attitude in the team; there are no stars in this team. It’s a new start for them and me as the senior coach.”
Lemalu has earmarked big seasons for Tim Finau, Presley Naea, Junior Taito and Moorabbin recruit Oge Toala.
They are all likely to be in contention for the restructured Pillar Cup competition that begins on 12 July – the weekend after the Premier One grand final.
The scheduling change was made, among other issues, to ease the unrest within clubs over losing their best players to the elite competition.
Hills president Ashley White is pleased with the decision.
“When the Pillar Cup was run parallel to the main competition, it drew on the same supporters as the club side and there are issues there,” he said.
“We’re glad that Pillar is continuing because from an opportunity point of view, it’s an important part of the development of the code.
“In order to allow kids in Victoria to attain a higher level, we need this competition and there is no doubt that the Pillar Cup is a better standard.”
A new secondary competition will begin at the same time as the Pillar Cup to allow players that are not selected for a representative side to compete.
In another sign that Endeavour Hills will be a greater force in 2008, it will field two senior sides this season – one in Premier One and another in Premier Three.
The Hills’ campaign begins against Leaumoana’s new team Box Hill at Frog Hollow Reserve on Saturday at 3.15pm.
