Dyldam Parramatta Eels fullback Michael Gordon says the combination of the new faces in the Eels’ side needs to continue to improve, as the Blue and Gold prepare for their Easter Monday clash with the Wests Tigers.
On Friday night, in the new recruit’s third outing for his new side, Parramatta posted a 20-6 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the club’s second victory for the season.
“It’s only early days with our attack,” Gordon said.
“The feeling’s good [in the team], and it’s been good since the start of pre-season. The boys train hard and they rip in for each other, and I’ve just been impressed form the start. The work ethic of the players and the environment Brad’s created has been first class, and I’m just glad I can fit in here.”
“Obviously winning makes everything a bit easier around training, but we’ve just got to keep building on that and not think the job is done.”
“We’ve played probably the three best defensive teams the first three rounds, so to get 2 wins is pretty good. Moving forward hopefully it’s something we can really build on.”
And the new recruit says the process will also be gradual for the scar on his forehead, picked up in the Eels’ round 2 win over the North Queensland Cowboys.
“It’s starting to heal up so hopefully I won’t have to to the old Benny Elias head tape much longer,” Gordon laughed.
Playing in the number one jersey for the Blue and Gold, Gordon sees the collaboration between halves Corey Norman and Kieran Foran as a growing partnership, with both 6 and 7 given the freedom to roam the field from play to play.
“Obviously Foz (Kieran Foran) is the captain so he’ll make the main decisions, but Corey’s been running the team for a while,” Gordon said.
“[Kieran]’s very vocal on the field and tells the boys exactly what he wants and what he expects form them … Corey’s such a good runner, too. The best thing about them is they don’t just say on one side of the field.”
“They have their little meetings every set, they both share the calls and they both swing both sides.”
“Kieran and Corey have only played a couple of games together, at the moment we’ll just keep focussing on defence and the attack will come.”
The Eels’ Round Three win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs saw winger Semi Radradra open his try-scoring account for the season, and offer an unorthodox try assist to centre Michael Jennings, and Gordon says the tweaks to the rules of the games may make Radradra more lethal as the year goes on.
“He came in field a lot looking for the ball,” Gordon said.
“I think it’s the way the game’s going with this interchange reduction that someone like Semi coming in around the middle’s going to cause a lot of trouble, and I think it’s good for the game.”
“He’s a man of few words but what he does on the field is freakish.”
“Being a NSW man I’d love to see him play [State of Origin] but the rules are there and I suppose it’s not up to me to change them.”
On Easter Monday, the Eels return to ANZ Stadium to face the Wests Tigers in the two side’s third annual public holiday match up, and Gordon says the long lead in is a welcome one.
“It’s a long turnaround till Monday, so we’ve got plenty of time to work on the Tigers [in video sessions] but obviously Tedesco and the two young halves have been playing some really good footy.”
“Easter Monday afternoon should be a big crowd, and a good game.”
The Eels kick off against the Wests Tigers at 4pm on Monday, March 28, with public transport included in all tickets to the game and all Eels full-season Memberships. Click through to find out about reciprocal entry for Eels Members and more game day information!
