ID :
74068
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 21:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/74068
The shortlink copeid
Slater admits `issue` with NRL workload
Melbourne fullback Billy Slater admits the workload of NRL players needs to be
looked at as he heads into Friday night's match against North Queensland following
something he rarely gets - rest.
Slater was sent for a few days off on club orders - coach Craig Bellamy concerned
about the punishing State of Origin schedule on a player who has played virtually
every minute of every match he has been eligible for in 2009.
Slater will play against the Cowboys at Olympic Park in a match with major
implications in shaping the finals, but only returned to training on Thursday.
The Queensland star admitted there is "an issue" with rep players being asked to do
too much in any calendar year, especially during the State of Origin period.
"I'm happy to play Origin and I'm happy to play for Australia but there's certainly
an issue there that we can get better at," Slater said.
"We are playing a lot of footy but that's the way it's structured at the moment.
"There's the right people in place to sit down and look at those things.
"It is hard to be up from starting trials in February and we may be still going in
December - it's a long year."
The sixth-placed Cowboys have hit a rich vein of form with the ball in hand, and are
the No.1 attacking side in the NRL this season.
But the Storm's defence has been the cornerstone of their success under Bellamy.
Slater admits how their defence deals with Cowboys half Johnathan Thurston will
determine whether Melbourne can win.
"He'll have the ball in his hands more than anyone else in that team and wherever he
is, the ball's probably going to go there," Slater said.
"We're going to have to shut him down and if we can do that, it will go a long way
towards us being successful."
Slater and Storm teammate Dallas Johnson reach a personal milestone on Friday night
- playing their 150th NRL match.
In a twist of fate, both are north Queensland products playing against their local
side and both made their debut in round one, 2003 for Melbourne.
Second rower Ryan Hoffman is scheduled to return for the Storm after hamstring
problems, while prop Adam Blair is back from suspension.
They will cover the loss of Sika Manu, who broke his leg last weekend.
The Cowboys have made one late team change, drafting in young winger Donald Malone
to replace Michael Bani on Thursday.
Bani has withdrawn because of a back injury sustained at training this week.
looked at as he heads into Friday night's match against North Queensland following
something he rarely gets - rest.
Slater was sent for a few days off on club orders - coach Craig Bellamy concerned
about the punishing State of Origin schedule on a player who has played virtually
every minute of every match he has been eligible for in 2009.
Slater will play against the Cowboys at Olympic Park in a match with major
implications in shaping the finals, but only returned to training on Thursday.
The Queensland star admitted there is "an issue" with rep players being asked to do
too much in any calendar year, especially during the State of Origin period.
"I'm happy to play Origin and I'm happy to play for Australia but there's certainly
an issue there that we can get better at," Slater said.
"We are playing a lot of footy but that's the way it's structured at the moment.
"There's the right people in place to sit down and look at those things.
"It is hard to be up from starting trials in February and we may be still going in
December - it's a long year."
The sixth-placed Cowboys have hit a rich vein of form with the ball in hand, and are
the No.1 attacking side in the NRL this season.
But the Storm's defence has been the cornerstone of their success under Bellamy.
Slater admits how their defence deals with Cowboys half Johnathan Thurston will
determine whether Melbourne can win.
"He'll have the ball in his hands more than anyone else in that team and wherever he
is, the ball's probably going to go there," Slater said.
"We're going to have to shut him down and if we can do that, it will go a long way
towards us being successful."
Slater and Storm teammate Dallas Johnson reach a personal milestone on Friday night
- playing their 150th NRL match.
In a twist of fate, both are north Queensland products playing against their local
side and both made their debut in round one, 2003 for Melbourne.
Second rower Ryan Hoffman is scheduled to return for the Storm after hamstring
problems, while prop Adam Blair is back from suspension.
They will cover the loss of Sika Manu, who broke his leg last weekend.
The Cowboys have made one late team change, drafting in young winger Donald Malone
to replace Michael Bani on Thursday.
Bani has withdrawn because of a back injury sustained at training this week.
