COACH Scott Coleman is adamant the Hunter Wildfires are only "three top-end players" away from being a major force in the Shute Shield.
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The Wildfires finished 11th - highlighted by wins over Penrith (51-14) and Western Sydney (28-15) and a 29-all draw with Manly - in their return season despite a rushed preparation and limited resources.
Second grade and colts (under-20s) teams also showed they were up to the task, winning three games each.
"All the grades got better and better as the season went on," Coleman said. "To finish with a clean sweep over Penrith was reward for how hard they have worked .
"We certainly learned a lot along the way. There are no easy games and no easy minutes. It is a continuous grind, very physical, fast and the skill level is so much higher than what we were accustomed to."
The Sydney Rugby Union has kept the door open for the Wildfires next season.
However, the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union is yet to rubber stamp the Wildfires participation and is seeking approval from local clubs. The clubs' biggest concern is the impact fielding two senior teams and colts in Sydney will have on the local competition. which was cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
Coleman has no doubts that the Wildfires will attract players to the region. The earlier they get the nod, the more time it allows to recruit, run off-season training programs and raise sponsorship.
"If we were able to recruit another 10 players, including three top-end first graders we would be up there," Coleman said. "Also the players from this season are going to be better for the experience. They know what we have to do in the off-season to be at that level."
The Wildfires top-two grades were boosted by eight players from Melbourne, where the competition was suspended due to COVID.
Powerhouse No.8 George Noa. breakaway Shaun Ingle and lock Jeremy Birrell were among their best.
Alec Corcoran, Mahe Fungopo, Rob Buaserau and Hayden Cole were among a host of other players who relocated for a crack at Shute Shield.
The Wildfires, unlike Sydney clubs, don't offer player payments but Coleman believes work opportunities and lifestyle in Newcastle will work in their favour.
"Our biggest thing is lifestyle and the cost of living," Coleman said. "It's about finding the right mix - a player who wants to settle down and maybe look at buying a house and starting a family. I have started having conversations with potential players, but I haven't pushed it too much because I don't know if we are 100 per cent in the comp.
"There have been Newcastle guys in Sydney who have hinted that if we are in they would love to be a part of it."
While the players from Melbourne and Sydney provided experience and quality, equally important was the improvement of the local players.
Adam Edwards, Nimi Qio, Ben Ham, Piers Morrell, Hamish McKie, Lachie Miller, Dave Puchert, Nick Dobson, Chad Northcott, Carl Manu, Chase Hicks and Geraint Weaver, and Taulogo Lalaga were among a long list of players who got their first taste of Shute Shield.
"It opened up Dave Waller's eyes to what he has to do to be at that next level," Coleman said. "Chase Hicks realised that he is not far off it if he has a dig, Nimi could be a world beater, same with Taulogo Lalaga. I could go on.
"I have told them all to have a rest for a month.
"If we are to go around again, it is a must that we have an off-season academy. There is a lot of work to be done. We had the best of the best from Newcastle - there wasn't too many boys who didn't come - and our skill level was no where near where it should be.
"Worst case scenario, we don't play in Sydney but we have 38 players in Newcastle who can play Shute Shield level. It is good for our rep program."
Meanwhile, former Merewether skipper Jamie Lind has been appointed first grade coach at the Greens for 2021.
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