COACH Scott Coleman fears that the progress the Hunter Wildfires made in their return season in the Shute Shield could be undone as rival clubs circle the region's premier players.
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The Wildfires, despite only being given the green light four weeks before the start of a COVID-19 shortened Sydney season, performed above expectations.
They recorded two wins and a draw to finish 11th and pushed most sides, including premiership heavyweights Eastwood, Norths and Easts, for large periods in matches. Their second grade and colts (under-20s) sides also punched above their weight.
Since the Wildfires' 51-14 rout of Penrith in the final round, several players from the top grade have been approached by rival outfits and letters of offer for next season have been sent to six colts players.
"There are a a number of players getting chased by Sydney clubs now that those clubs have seen them play," Coleman said. "We definitely got better and better as the season went on. That was in all grades. Anyone in our top 25 could go to Sydney and play now. It has given them that exposure.
"With the colts, it is all the young ones (under-19s). I told them we are doing this so you don't have to go to Sydney. Not one of the letters had a player's name on it. They either said dear player or dear student. That is how clubs recruit down there, they send out mass letters."
There were at least 14 players from the Hunter already committed to Sydney colts sides this season when the Wildfires were invited to compete.
Sydney Rugby Union president Phil Parsons has opened the door open for the Wildfires to play in a full campaign next year.
The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union will consult local clubs before making a decision on the Wildfires for 2021.
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 pushed hard for the Wildfires inclusion in Sydney and is confident that playing in the Shute Shield will attract more players to the region.
"The playing group are 100 per cent behind it," he said. "We had a vote and they all agreed it was beneficial for the area. The eight guys who came up from Melbourne are keen to return. George Noa picked up a professional contract in Italy but wants to play here in the off season.
"In two years you could recruit 30 to 40 players to the area which would strengthen the local competition. Then you have a good base. We would also not be losing 10 to 12 players to Sydney. It might only be one or two."
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