Pirtek Parramatta Eels head coach Ricky Stuart says the return of Mitch Allgood into the Blue and Gold line-up tomorrow night is a "bonus" for the side, after spending a fortnight suspended on the sidelines.
Mitch will play off the bench when we take on the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
"It's important Mitch comes back and shows his toughness in his ability as a football player," he said.
"We don't condone what happened in the last game against Manly, but he'll be judged on how he handles his game; the execution of his performance."
"We sat down and had a good chat about it, but there was nothing in relation to me being disappointed or cranky with Mitch, it was just him understanding the situation the same way I do as a coach."
After reports Steve Matai said he wouldn't be after revenge on Allgood because he makes "four runs a game", Ricky said that's rubbish.
"I'll play Mitch in the centres for him..." he joked.
On Friday's game against the Bulldogs, Ricky says it will undoubtedly be a tough game.
"It is a very tough game, but we're always confident. Every week going in, I've said consistently, the players prepare well, and they do work very hard at that," he said.
"We're under no illusions that the Bulldogs are a very strong team, they will want to bounce off a bye and they don't want to be beaten by a team with nine straight losses, and that'a something we're not proud of, but that's what I imagine Des will be preparing them for."
Watch the rest of Ricky Stuart's media conference above, and click here to buy ticket to tomorrow night's game at ANZ Stadium.
Mitch will play off the bench when we take on the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
"It's important Mitch comes back and shows his toughness in his ability as a football player," he said.
"We don't condone what happened in the last game against Manly, but he'll be judged on how he handles his game; the execution of his performance."
"We sat down and had a good chat about it, but there was nothing in relation to me being disappointed or cranky with Mitch, it was just him understanding the situation the same way I do as a coach."
After reports Steve Matai said he wouldn't be after revenge on Allgood because he makes "four runs a game", Ricky said that's rubbish.
"I'll play Mitch in the centres for him..." he joked.
On Friday's game against the Bulldogs, Ricky says it will undoubtedly be a tough game.
"It is a very tough game, but we're always confident. Every week going in, I've said consistently, the players prepare well, and they do work very hard at that," he said.
"We're under no illusions that the Bulldogs are a very strong team, they will want to bounce off a bye and they don't want to be beaten by a team with nine straight losses, and that'a something we're not proud of, but that's what I imagine Des will be preparing them for."
Watch the rest of Ricky Stuart's media conference above, and click here to buy ticket to tomorrow night's game at ANZ Stadium.
