Thieves ransacked Easts' training facilities and caused more than $15,000 worth of damage, but the foundation John I Dent club is determined to rebuild their reputation on and off the field this year.
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Less than a year after Easts forfeited a match and there were fears for the club's first-grade future, president Greg Dennis said they are determined to win back respect by rebuilding from the bottom up.
Thieves broke into their Griffith Oval storage shed three times, slashing tackling pads, spray painting equipment and destroying two sets of jerseys to inflict more pain on the battling team.
There was also a squatter living in the storage shed for two weeks, but Dennis hopes new coach John Ross can create a fresh environment and a new culture to get Easts back on their feet.
Rival clubs questioned the sustainability of Easts' future last year when they lost 92-0 to the Tuggeranong Vikings and then forfeited a game just four days later.
"Clubs had every right to feel that way, at an administration level we were a shambles, the player strength was inadequate and there was a culture of defeat," Dennis said.
"It's a credit to the people that have stuck strong with the club ... if we didn't make the changes last year, we may have lost the club.
"We've shaken up the place, bringing in key contributors for the direction of the club whereas in the past it was young kids trying to do their best for the club. It's now or never. Success breeds success."
The Canberra premier division begins this weekend, with Easts lining up against the Uni-Norths Owls for a chance to get their season off to a winning start.
Easts have shifted their base from Jerrabomberra Oval to Griffith Oval, but still have to make sure they complete the right booking protocols with the ACT government to ensure they've got a place to train and play.
Ross has put the foundations in place for Easts to have success, targeting key juniors from Canberra's top rugby schools and adding a hard edge to the squad's approach to games.
Dennis is also hopeful the club's former players will answer a call to arms and help give Easts the extra support it needs to stay in the first grade competition.
"Forfeiting ... I don't know if shame is the right word, but it hurt. It's not easy going out there and getting smacked, you take it personally," said lock Joe Shirley.
"One thing I'm looking forward to is being competitive again and restoring some pride back in the Easts name. Easts traditionally have been known as the ragtag group that can have fun off the field, but isn't very good on it.
"But we want to turn that around. It seems what can go wrong will go wrong [with the thieves] ... they should call us the Murphy's Law at Easts. But it can only make us stronger and when we do turn it around, it will be an amazing feeling."
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND 1
Saturday: Queanbeyan Whites v Gungahlin Eagles at Campese field, Uni-Norths Owls v Easts at RMC, Wests v Royals at Radford College. All games at 3.05pm. Tuggeranong Vikings - bye.
