Upbeat Eagles change guard

GOLD Coast Eagles captain Paul Marshall believes the Southport-based rugby club can return to the pointy end of the ladder this season despite long-time coach Joe Faalogo stepping down.

Faalogo has been a key part of the Eagles since joining the club from Surfers Paradise in 2009, orchestrating a run of seven straight grand final appearances.

However, the Eagles have confirmed Faalogo has decided to step back from first grade commitments and focus on working with his son’s junior side at the club.

A successor as head coach is yet to be confirmed but, after two difficult seasons, Marshall is confident of a better campaign.

“We definitely should be a finals berth contender this year,” said the front-rower, who started at the Eagles in 2005.

“I would like to think that we can push the rest of the teams for that top two spot.”

Fuelling Marshall’s optimism is a new-look coaching staff including Matt Swanson, who hung up the boots at the end of last season.

Former Coomera president Jai Johnson has come onboard with a focus on set piece, while veteran referee Scott Hyde has also joined.

“Scott Hyde has wrapped up his time refereeing on the Gold Coast and wants to give back in a coaching capacity,” Marshall said.

“His coaching is largely

looking at the ruck area of the game and the breakdown, making sure we are playing a clean, fast ruck so that we can be as efficient as possible there.”

The Eagles’ finals ambitions won’t come easy, however, with many of their rivals appearing to have upped their game.

“I definitely think it is a healthy thing that the competition as a whole is progressing,” Marshall said.

“It is the responsibility of each club individually to make sure that you step up to the plate as the likes of Surfers Paradise and Griffith Uni (Colleges) have over the last couple of years.”