Gatton looks to overcome the hump to press finals claims

RUGBY LEAGUE: Gatton has been unable to get over the proverbial hump in recent years, but they’re hoping 2020 will bring about a change of fortunes.

The past two seasons have seen the Hawks miss out on the finals by the barest of margins, with a pair of sixth-placed finishes.

With the departure of former coach Shaun Hobson, lifelong Hawk Andrew Schmidt steps into the role, in the hopes of leading Gatton back to glory.

“I played my junior and senior footy with the club and have only had a couple of years off in between,” Schmidt said.

“I’ve always coached at the club, and it’s been on the radar to give A-grade a go once the opportunity presented itself.

“We’ve been bringing in coaches and it sort of hasn’t been working out for us. We’re a good enough side, we’ve just been lacking something.

“I think there’ll be a fair bit of drive to push for finals.

“Last year we lost about four games that we should’ve won. They go our way and we’re in third spot. We should have the side to do it this year and we’re keen.”

They say coaching at the top level was never meant to be easy, and with a few players in the departure column, Schmidt knows he will have a task to try and get Gatton back into the post-season.

Despite the losses, he said a number of key returning players, as well as a talented group of youngsters, would be able to lay the platform for success.

“It’s going to be a bit of a new-look side this year with a fair few players leaving, some retiring and others going to different places,” he said.

“Some are trialling out in Ipswich which hurts us a bit, but there are also a few local boys coming back.

“Ben Reuter will be back. He’s been away for the past few years and played in the grand final win (2013). Haydan (Lipp) is back at training as well. Shannon Hicks has come back very keen and is the fittest I’ve seen him.

“A few of the younger guys are trialling with the Mustangs and other rep sides. We’d love to see them make it, but if they don’t a fair few will come back to Gatton.

“We’ll feel our way through the trial games and see where we go from there ahead of round one.”