HAMILTON have a group message called #quaddie.
It’s the only reference to the club’s pursuit of a historic fourth straight premiership.
It has been 65 years since a Cyril Burke-led Waratahs won four straight from 1950. Wanderers (1963-65), the Tahs (1970-72), University (1984-86) and Singleton (1995-97) have gone close with three.
“We haven’t really talked about it,” coach Scott Coleman said. “It is a new group. We send group messages on #quaddie but we don’t really go into the details.”
Captain Steve Lamont, prop Peter Bakarich, centre Patty Kilmurray, breakaway Seva Rokobaro and wingers Fiso Vasegote and Sireli Bainivalu have been involved in all four.
At the other end of the spectrum, fly-half Dane Sherratt, who joined the Hawks from Waratahs this season, has not won any silverware in 20 years of rugby.
“Dane was disappointed that we didn’t get the minor premiership trophy after the last competition game,” Coleman said. “We have so many different guys, motivated by different things. The club started training in December. They have put so much work in and this is what they all play for.”
Lamont is in line for a fifth premiership with Hamilton.
“You can’t let something like that build up,” he said. “Grand finals are enough pressure as it is without adding undue pressure. Maitland are going to be a tough team. Reducing anything that adds stress is crucial.”
Lamont believes the secret to the club’s success has been moving forward rather than relying on the past.
“We identify our weaknesses and always strive to be better,” he said. “It is an evolution. We can’t keep doing the old things, even if we are doing them better, we need to improve it.”
Coleman, who won his first title in 2008 and has added notches to the belt in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017, stood down last October to build a family home.
However, he answered an SOS in June after his successor David Clarke was let go after club president Brett Sutherland said “his coaching style and delivery didn't bolt on to the Hawks culture”. The Hawks had lost two games. They have not lost since.
