Dyldam Parramatta Eels five-eighth Corey Norman says he will feel the nerves about playing his first NRL game with his new club on Sunday; but insists his move to Parramatta will make it worthwhile.
Norman will pull the Blue and Gold jersey on for the Eels’ NRL kickoff this Sunday night at Pirtek Stadium, and says there is an energy about the team that give him confidence.
“I’m very excited to play, [I’ve been] looking forward to it and hopefully it should be a good game - I do get a little bit nervous, but once you get to the Stadium it’s not too bad,” Norman said.
“We’ve been focussing on ourselves this week, we know [the Warriors] are a good side, but we just really need to focus on us.”
Pairing with halfback Luke Kelly for their first full game will be a new prospect for Norman, but he says there are already promising signs of their new partnership.
“[Luke’s] real good, he’s vocal - obviously it’s going to take some time to gel, but he’s a good player and I’m looking forward to it,” Norman said.
“We are seeing signs, it’s gradually getting there - having never played with him before it’s going to take a bit of time.”
And with the attacking prowess of Jarryd Hayne and Will Hopoate outside of him, Norman says he’s confident about the Eels roster.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in them, they’re the kind of players you get the early ball to and they work their own magic, which brings a lot of confidence for me and the team,” he said.
“The boys have been positive and you wouldn’t tell they’ve got the spoon the last two years, which is a good thing and everything’s been building, and it’s a great vibe at the moment.”
