Parramatta Eels half Corey Norman says the Blue and Gold side have returned to pre-season in top shape, with the side focused on what the next 12 months may hold.
Speaking to Big Sports Breakfast this morning (Tuesday 8 November), Norman says he, along with several of the new Parramatta Eels recruits, have returned to the training paddock in top shape ready for the year ahead.
“First week down, and it was tough obviously but it’s been good,” Norman said.
“A lot of our new boys [Josh Hoffman, Siosaia Vave, Nathan Brown, George Jennings] got back yesterday and they tested really well.”
“I guess when you come back first day and test really well it shows the effort you put in training during the offseason.”
“I had four months off but I made sure I stayed on top of things and I tested well so it’s good!” Norman added.
View the Week One Pre-Season Highlights
Whilst the NRL Telstra Premiership doesn’t kick off for another four months, and the Eels returning from a challenging 2016 season, Norman says the Blue and Gold have come back to pre-season training buzzing about the year ahead.
“I was enjoying my football and the boys were playing well as well,” Norman reflected on the 2016 season.
“For the first half of the year, we were flying so I was enjoying my football and we were going alright.”
“We have come back here, nothing has been spoken about last year, everything is all about this year.”
“We have a lot of new players coming to the Club this year which is refreshing as well, so we are all buzzing around about the new year and what is to come,” Norman added.
Gallery: Week Two, Day One - Conditioning
And with the Eels pre-season to have a big impact on who will fill the number one jersey in the upcoming season, with Bevan French and new recruits Josh Hoffman and Will Smith able to fill the custodian role, Norman expects big things from the 2016 Eels Rookie of the Year.
“I think it’s the plan to put a bit of weight on Bevan,” Norman said.
“He was in last week working hard and I guess if he can put on a couple of kilos and have a solid preseason, it will be exciting to see what he does next year.”
