ID :
81588
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 21:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/81588
The shortlink copeid
Eels wary of NRL favourites tag
Parramatta's winning streak begs the question of just how good they'll be when
Timana Tahu, Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton join the NRL club next year.
Good enough to be the favourites for the crown already, according to Centrebet who
have installed the Eels at $4.50 to win the 2010 premiership.
Dual international Tahu was arguably the best centre in the NRL when he left for
rugby union two years ago.
Poore is an incumbent NSW State of Origin prop, while Shackleton is leaving the
Sydney Roosters in the year he cracked rep footy for City.
Kris Keating, the Eels' talented first-choice halfback before they unearthed Jeff
Robson in a run of nine wins from 10 matches, will also return after his season was
wrecked by an ankle injury.
The Bulldogs are second favourites to win next year's title at $6, followed by St
George Illawarra and Melbourne (both $7), Manly $8) and Brisbane ($10).
"I think the serious money to win next year is definitely with the Eels," Centrebet
spokesman Neil Evans told AAP.
"They're setting themselves up to be a clear favourite in 2010."
Eels great and football club board member Brett Kenny is, understandably, wary of
the favourites tag.
"In one way it's probably a bit of an honour and quite nice, I guess, to have
something like that but I really do think it's a bit early," Kenny told AAP.
"A lot can happen between now and next year. A lot happens from one week to the
next. Brisbane two weeks ago were looking pretty good. Suddenly Peter Wallace gets
an injury and everyone's saying they've got no chance."
Kenny believes the 2010 Eels will be tested by the weight of expectation but have
the potential to be better than the 2009 version.
"The expectation's going to be very high next year because of the way they're
finishing this season and those three players all coming over to the club," the
four-time premiership star said.
"You would like to think the players would look at it and say 'Yep, well this is
what we've got to live up to now, we've set our standard and now we've got to make
sure we keep doing it'.
" ... We would be looking to start our season better than this year and if we do
that, with the new personnel we've got at the club things will be better and we will
perform even better.
"Supporters should be looking at being very hopeful but at the same time they've got
to be realists and realise that things happen, you can't control injuries.
"If everything goes to plan you would like to say that Parramatta would definitely
be looking at the top four."
Shackleton, meanwhile, is looking forward to some expectation after a miserable,
wooden-spoon year at the Roosters.
"The way (Parramatta's) going ... (favouritism's) probably about right," he told AAP.
"I'm not much of a betting man but if you were you'd probably be looking at it.
"It would be good to be there now, the way they're going."
Timana Tahu, Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton join the NRL club next year.
Good enough to be the favourites for the crown already, according to Centrebet who
have installed the Eels at $4.50 to win the 2010 premiership.
Dual international Tahu was arguably the best centre in the NRL when he left for
rugby union two years ago.
Poore is an incumbent NSW State of Origin prop, while Shackleton is leaving the
Sydney Roosters in the year he cracked rep footy for City.
Kris Keating, the Eels' talented first-choice halfback before they unearthed Jeff
Robson in a run of nine wins from 10 matches, will also return after his season was
wrecked by an ankle injury.
The Bulldogs are second favourites to win next year's title at $6, followed by St
George Illawarra and Melbourne (both $7), Manly $8) and Brisbane ($10).
"I think the serious money to win next year is definitely with the Eels," Centrebet
spokesman Neil Evans told AAP.
"They're setting themselves up to be a clear favourite in 2010."
Eels great and football club board member Brett Kenny is, understandably, wary of
the favourites tag.
"In one way it's probably a bit of an honour and quite nice, I guess, to have
something like that but I really do think it's a bit early," Kenny told AAP.
"A lot can happen between now and next year. A lot happens from one week to the
next. Brisbane two weeks ago were looking pretty good. Suddenly Peter Wallace gets
an injury and everyone's saying they've got no chance."
Kenny believes the 2010 Eels will be tested by the weight of expectation but have
the potential to be better than the 2009 version.
"The expectation's going to be very high next year because of the way they're
finishing this season and those three players all coming over to the club," the
four-time premiership star said.
"You would like to think the players would look at it and say 'Yep, well this is
what we've got to live up to now, we've set our standard and now we've got to make
sure we keep doing it'.
" ... We would be looking to start our season better than this year and if we do
that, with the new personnel we've got at the club things will be better and we will
perform even better.
"Supporters should be looking at being very hopeful but at the same time they've got
to be realists and realise that things happen, you can't control injuries.
"If everything goes to plan you would like to say that Parramatta would definitely
be looking at the top four."
Shackleton, meanwhile, is looking forward to some expectation after a miserable,
wooden-spoon year at the Roosters.
"The way (Parramatta's) going ... (favouritism's) probably about right," he told AAP.
"I'm not much of a betting man but if you were you'd probably be looking at it.
"It would be good to be there now, the way they're going."
