The Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup Under 20s side has been training hard leading into the 2014 NYC season, with two trial wins from two efforts so far this pre-season.
New coach Justin Holbrook is happy with their progress, and hopes they carry it into the season.
“We’ve had the two trial games and two pretty good games, and while they’re not comp games and you’d like them to be, you need confidence coming out of the trials and we’ve got that at the moment,” Holbrook said.
With the season a fortnight from starting, Holbrook says he’s impressed with their efforts at training, and how it’s translating onto the field.
“They’ve defended really well, and that’s the big thing we want,” he said.
“Everyone knows in the 20s defence isn’t the best, but that’s because the game’s so fast, but we’ve been working really hard on that at training and so far it’s going well.”
This week, our NYC side takes on the Sea Eagles in their final trial of the pre-season, with an extended squad named:
1. Sione Tonga
2. Fabian Goodall
3. Nathan Davis
4. Eric Aukafolau
5. Halauafu Lavaka
6. Ryan Matterson
7. Joey Lussick
8. Tepai Tepu-Smith
9. Zach Dockar-Clay
10. Fred Junior Mauala
11. Tepai Moeroa
12. Eric Newbigging
13. Josh Aloiai
14. Jeff Markus
15. Brendan Raeli
16. Jordan Muna
17. Dylan Izzard
18. Mark Daoud
19. Lachlan Roe
20. Leva Li
The game kicks off at 5pm at Brookvale Oval, the Saturday, February 22.
Watch the video with coach Holbrook above - and click here to become a Member of the Eels for 2014!
