Dan Atkins reveals Eagles new faces
The Eagles premiership hopes for 2017 have received a sizeable boost with a number of big names
joining the club ahead of what is expected to be a tough pre-season schedule.
Headlining the fresh faces is former 1 st grade captain Matt Hawke, who returns from a stint in the UK and
is likely to slot in to the first grade side at outside centre.
To compliment our sizeable backline, big winger Eli Sinoti has come to the club from Wests, and is
looking forward to playing under head coach Dan Atkins and boost his chances of earning a Brumbies
contract.
The colts squad will head in to the 2017 season with strong hopes of a premiership with Mack Hansen,
Tom Ross, Tayn Atkins, Jacob Patmore, Tevita Wolske, and Declan Brebner set to pull on the black and
red – who all have experience in the Brumbies set up and some have played on the international arena.
Head coach Dan Atkins has said before that the Eagles future looks brighter than ever, and that these new
players will compliment his plans for the club perfectly.
“We set up a plan back in 2015 for players to come through into the Gungahlin Eagles. We haven’t really
recruited as such, the club itself is the real reason we are bringing such a large pool of new players with
plenty of talent.” Atkins said.
“We’ve managed to set up a great professional rugby attitude and awesome club culture. Our recently
developed and adopted club values have allowed everyone in our club to feel like the club is the best
sporting environment which values and respects diversity, race, colour, gender, history, and
individuality.”
“That’s why we’re seeing such great numbers and some real talent too. Who wouldn’t want to be
involved in one of the best community sporting clubs in Canberra?” he added.
With the Eagles’ pre-season set to start Tuesday 31 st January, the new players received their training
shirts and are excited to meet the players and coaching staff before the hard work begins.
Meet the new players:
Matt Hawke
Considered as one of the Gungahlin Eagles favourite sons, ‘Hawke Dog’ comes back to the Eagles after
spending two years playing top rugby in the UK. Hawke is a former 1st grade captain for the Eagles, a
Brumbies squad and NRC Canberra Vikings member, and brings a huge amount of experience to the
Gungahlin Eagles in 2017.
From the coach: “Hawkey is one of those straight up and down players – runs magnificent running lines
and has a very aggressive and in your face defensive game. I am hoping Hawkey takes his time to adjust
to the youthful fast paced game the Eagles have developed over the recent years and I am sure we will
see great things from him as the season settles in.” Dan Atkins.
From the man himself:
“I’m really looking forward to the season, I’ve missed the Eagles and I’m happy to be back after my time
in London. I’ve seen some highlights on EaglesTV and the boys have been looking sharp so I’m happy to
slot in wherever they can find a spot for me. My family has been involved in this club and Daramalan
Rugby for many years now and the 50 th year is a great time for me to come back. I haven’t set myself too
many personal goals this year, but that luxurious premiership is still dangling over my head so that’d be a
special way to finish the season.”
Eli Sinoti
You may recognise Eli from his explosive runs coming off the wing for Wests 1st grade last year. Eli has
decided to come over to the Eagles looking for some enjoyment in the game and after being on the losing
team several times against the Eagles last year, Eli saw something special from the Eagles and wants to
get in on the action. Eli had the chance to play under Dan Atkins with the ACT Griffins and enjoyed his
style of coaching, now he will get a full pre-season and regular season to progress. A good club culture
and professional approach were the final deciding factors in coming to the Eagles, and Eli has his sights
set on an elusive Brumbies contract.
From the coach: “Eli is a big explosive runner with a mean step, his ability to finish off set pieces and his
blitzing speed will compliment our fast style game really well. He has represented the Canberra Griffins
and the NRC Canberra Vikings last year – there is plenty of experience at the elite level that we can utilise
there.” Dan Atkins.
From the man himself:
“It’s a good balance at the club with exciting young players coming through and plenty of experience –
especially in the coaching staff. There’s a pretty big gap between other clubs and Gungahlin when it
comes to professionalism and the culture is great too. Dan and some of the other coaches here are very
approachable, Dan is really easy to talk to. It will be a hard task trying to get a position in first grade with
the quality of players here like Jamie Kotz, so there is a big challenge coming up for me. The ultimate goal
is getting that premiership, I can’t wait for the season.”
Tayn Atkins
Reckon we’re happy to see another Atkins pull on the red and black? Absolutely we are. And this one
comes with real promise. His long blonde locks can be seen from a mile out, and the grin isn’t hard to
miss either – but what’s more exciting is the way he approaches the game of rugby according to so many.
From the coach: “He’s an exciting back-rower who is very tenacious on the ball, with great ball handling
skills and an excellent lineout jump. Tayn is a Brumbies U20s squad member and recently played in the
winning schoolboys Australian 7s side that played in Auckland, December 2016. Tayn can play the 15
man game as well as any top back-rower, but if Tayn continues to progress we may even see him in the
green and gold in the sevens format one day soon.” Dan Atkins.
From the man himself:
“I’m pretty keen actually, it’s going to be an awesome experience getting to keep playing with some of
these guys and we’re hoping to get a title. Sevens is a completely different game but the skill set that you
need has really helped me and I think it’s gotten me ready for a senior rugby preseason. There’s a great
culture here and my family are pretty involved too, I’m going to be pretty honoured to pull on the jersey
for the first time for sure. It’s going to be a tough preseason, Dad will push everyone no doubt but it’ll be
good fun.”
Mack Hansen
The ultimate Dara Rugby poster boy is sure to bring a few high-school sweet heart crushes along to
watch the Eagles in 2017. He’s as cool as ice on the field, proven by the 40m field goal he slotted in the
2015 preliminary final on the bell to send Dara to an historic Grand final against St. Edmunds. For a
young man, he’s got a wealth of experience and is the definition of composure. His first steps in senior
footy will be eagerly eyed by many, especially those scouting at the elite level.
From the coach: “Mack is a prolific game manager with great turn of speed and excellent kicking game.
He forced his way in to the Brumbies 20s squad and is currently training with the Brumbies senior side –
he’s knocking down the door to get a run in their upcoming trial matches too. He loves to wear the red
and black and is a real future star not only for the Eagles, but for the whole of ACT rugby.” Dan Atkins.
From the man himself:
“I can’t wait to play senior footy, the club has been great in getting around the young guys so we’re just
excited to have a crack. It’d be great to play in any senior grade, but I really want to see the Eagles 20s
team win the competition, the last couple grand finals in the red and black we’ve fallen short so to bring
back a premiership for this club would be ideal, but if I get a run in 1 st grade that’d be great experience
too.”
Tom Ross
He’s a 35 year old veteran prop stuck in a spritely 18 year old body. Tom is a natural born leader who
wears his heart on his sleeve, and somehow is a prop that is fully switched on between the ears. He did
an amazing job as the captain of the Daramalan 1 st XV for the last two years and took them places they’ve
never been before, and now under the watchful eye of the Brumbies, he’s set for big things.
From the coach: “Tom is known for being one of the best technical front rowers to come through the
Brumbies system for a long time, and will be a future leader of this club without a doubt. Daramalan 1 st
XV captain in 2016, Tom is a Brumbies U20s squad leader, and has all potential to be a prominent front
row member in the Brumbies senior squad in years to come.” Dan Atkins.
From the man himself:
“Whenever you pull on a red and black jersey it’s pretty special and coming through and getting to do it
with all of my mates from school really excites me. I really like the way Dan coaches here and the style of
footy – I like the patterns and defensive structures, obviously the culture is great here and it’s only going
to get better. There are people like Connor I’m not too worried about personal goals right now, I’m just
happy to be on the park with some great footy players both with the Brumbies and here at the Eagles.”
Declan Brebner
The next Rory Arnold you say? If not, he’ll just be taller. The 203cm pig farmer from Young is still a
student of the game with plenty of untapped potential. A true country bloke who’s head and shoulders
above most of the players his age – literally. It doesn’t take long to notice he’s a crowd favourite and loves
a yarn, but come kick off he’ll be as switched on and fired up as ever.
From the coach: “Declan brings a whole new meaning of aggression when it comes to his footy. He’s a tall
defensive lock in his third year of rugby after only recently picking up his first pair of footy boots. He’s a
Brumbies U20’s squad member and from what I hear he’s a handy pig farm hand too, he’s a got a huge
future ahead of him and I can’t wait to see him develop both mentally and physically to take his game to
the next level.” Dan Atkins.
From the man himself:
“I’ve heard plenty about the good team morale and all the good blokes here so I’m pretty excited to have
a good crack. I’m really lucky to have some of these coaches around at Gungahlin – Ben McGee knows
plenty about lineouts and he’s been a big help for me at the Brumbies and has been pushing forward. I’m
just trying to get better every time I play, my main goals are making the Brumbies squad and play finals
footy with the Eagles – that’s all I’m worried about at the moment.”
Tevita Unga-Wolske
This gentle giant took some time away from rugby after a knee injury forced him to go under the knife
and watch on from the sidelines in 2016. He’s been likened to fellow Eagle and Brumby Josh Mann-Rae,
and has the maturity to match such appraisal. Tevita is the talk of the town when it comes to the
Brumbies future front row stocks, and what’s even better is that he is extremely passionate about his
footy, and now the Gungahlin Eagles.
From the coach: “I’ve heard that the big ball running hooker ‘Unga’ is a potential hooker waiting for the
right moment to join the Brumbies senior squad. I’ve heard great things coming out of the Brumbies
U20s set up about him, he’s even likely to feature in the senior team’s trial matches soon. He’s in great
form, ready for a big pre-season and I think he’ll blossom under our forwards coaches and mentors.” Dan
Atkins.
From the man himself:
“Even after missing out last year I was made to feel a part of the team and the whole club – there is a
great culture here and I’m really keen to return to rugby. I’m really going to try and use the great coaches
here to get the most out of my game, that’s one of the great advantages of coming to the Eagles. I’ve been
working heaps with Bongo this pre-season, and he’s been great for my game and has really taken me
under his wing. It’s guys like him that I’d love to play with if I got the chance at Gungahlin.”
Jacob Patmore
One word: Speed. A blitzing winger who’ll be pushing Jamie Kotz for the title of ‘the fastest eagle’
currently holding a PB for the 100m dash at 10.89s. With his father being an old boy of the club Jacob has
plenty of reasons to be excited for the next phase in his rugby career. His family bleeds red and black
with a long history at the Eagles, but Jacob has one thing on his mind and that’s adding to the Eagles
trophy cabinet come August 2017.
From the coach:
“We’ve generated quite the pool of talented wingers with immense speed and Jacob will fit right in to that
category. I know that he gets along well with everyone he plays with and he’ll be an asset to the club both
on and off the park – he’s played lots of footy for a young bloke and you can tell he just loves the game.
I’m hoping he can learn a thing or two from blokes like Andy Barrell who started out in the same place
and now has 150+ first grade games.” Dan Atkins
From the man himself:
“My first decision was to come back and play for the Eagles in my first year of colts and I’m really excited
for it. My dad and all of his mates used to play for the club through Dara, colts and seniors, and I played
here as a junior so I was always keen to come back to Gungahlin. I played with most of the guys that will
be in this colts squad back in high school, and after spending some time in Sydney I can’t wait for the
season to start and play alongside them again, Mack has a great cut out ball so hopefully I can utilise that
out on the wing.”