The Parramatta Eels are preparing to take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland, Brookvale in Round Two of the NRL Telstra Premiership on Sunday 18 March.
Speaking with Big Sports Breakfast this morning (Thursday 15 March), Norman says the Blue & Gold are ready to redeem themselves for their second half performance against the Panthers last week.
Norman says a crucial ten minute period before half time played a big part in last week’s result.
“We were good for the first thirty and the last ten minutes before half time they got a bit of ball back and I think we dropped the ball a couple of minutes before half time and Waqa Blake scored there and I think they went into the sheds with the mentality ‘we’ve got these blokes’. It wasn’t a good end to the first half,” Norman said.
“We still had plenty of chances to win that game but the second half we didn’t have much ball and they choked us there and ran away with it.”
“I think we just tried to rush our plays. The first round you just have to keep it simple, kick down into the corners and choke them in the first half. Waqa Blake got that try and it really lifted their spirits.” He added.
Norman says that the Blue & Gold have sat through a honest video session with Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur after their round one performance but the side will be ready to fix the issues.
“We did a pretty honest video session with BA and he stung us a bit there. We looked at the video and he didn’t let us shy away from it.” Norman said.
“We had a good look at it yesterday and it was across the board and something that we had to address but we will fix it up.”
Whilst the Eels first up performance was disappointing, Norman says the Blue & Gold are heading into this weekend’s clash confident, ready to redeem themselves from last week’s performance.
“It was our first game and it was hot and tough conditions but I think we will be better for it this week. We are ready to go out there to redeem ourselves from that second half performance.” Norman said.
“We are going into the game confident. This week we have to hold the ball and stick to the game plan that Brad gives us and we will come out on top.” He added.
“We have a pretty good record there at the moment, they always get a good crowd which helps and it’s always a good game against them but the way they lost last week, no doubt they will be ready to bounce back and come out hard.”
Whilst the Eels did suffer a defeat last week, Norman had praise for teammate Nathan Brown who had another strong performance on the field.
Brown finished the clash with 28 tackles, four offloads and 156m from his 18 runs during his 59 minutes on the field.
“Browny gets through a mountain of work and he is just a winner.” Norman said of Brown.
“He has plenty of football in him as well and I think that takes a bit of heat off him because you can’t really go get him because he has options with a good running game and a good pass.”
“He is a competitor too and is always there ready to rip in which is good.”
The Eels will kick off against the Sea Eagles on Sunday 18 March at 4:10pm.
Click here to hear the full interview with Corey Norman on Big Sports Breakfast.
