Dewar Shield Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club

REBELS CLUB WATCH: MELBOURNE UNICORNS 2014

In the 2014 Dewar Shield season, the Melbourne Unicorns will be looking to continue their dominant form from the previous few years and seek redemption over successive grand final losses in 2012 and 2013.

The Unicorns have featured in every Dewar Shield Grand Final for the last five years, raising the silverware consecutively in 2009, 2010 and 2011. For the Unicorns, who have held long supremacy over the competition, 2014 will have a strong focus on reclaiming the Dewar Shield Premiership and finishing in top spot once again.

Last year’s first grade coach and now Director of Rugby at the Club, Ellis Meachen, says that the focus this season will be set firmly on winning, even with the transition the Unicorns have seen in the past twelve months.

“We go out there to win, not to come second,” he says. “Each year there has been some transition with changes in coaches and players, but the focus always remains the same, and that’s to be the number one side in the Dewar Shield.”

The changes for the Unicorns in 2014 will be noticed, with a change in the entire Club’s coaching structure in order to create a better pathway for players into first grade, with all grades working together in the preseason to make it easier for players to step up when required.

“Gary Parker, who was last year’s backline coach, steps up to be Head Coach of our first grade side,” Meachen explains. “Our second and third grade coaches will work together to ensure the same structures and plays are continuous across both grades.

“There have been quite a few player changes as well, and our teams will definitely be more coach-orientated than player led, as they have been in recent times. All of our players have been training together this preseason as we prepare for 2014, with a specific focus on skills and fitness.”

The Unicorns scrum looks set to be a strong one this year, with Meachen looking to experienced local players to fill the forward pack.

“We’ve got a number of exciting players in our forward pack who have been working really hard in the off season to build their strength. Lock Freddie Austin has been with the Club his whole life and worked his way up through the ranks; he’s put on some weight this year and will be and even stronger force.

“Daniel Corcoran is an experienced prop whose been with the Club for a few years now and worked up the grades. He’s been working really hard this year and will be looking to make an impact in our starting line-up.”

Rebels Jordy Reid, Hugh Pyle, Luke Burgess and Telusa Veainu have been allocated to the Unicorns in 2014, which Meachen expects will have a wonderful impact on the Club.

“At this stage, we’re not sure about which Rebels will be able to play with our first grade side, but we’re really excited to be able to utilise the experience of the players around the Club.

“We will be really looking to have the Rebels helping out with our juniors. We also have a number of upcoming leadership clinics which the players will be involved in. Their experience is so valuable to the Club, particularly to our youngsters coming up the ranks.”

There is plenty of excitement around the Club at all levels, with every team training hard, and success once again looks to be the flavour of the Unicorns for 2014.

“Our women’s side are back again after going undefeated last season, and our Chargers have been working incredibly hard. We’re just really looking forward to the season starting back up again and having Rugby back in full swing.”

The Melbourne Unicorns are set to once again have a stellar year on the field at all levels, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2014 Dewar Shield.

Allocated Rebels:
Luke Burgess
Hugh Pyle
Jordy Reid
Telusa Veainu

Source: Rebels Media Unit