Dyldam Parramatta Eels centre Ryan Morgan says it is inspiring to compete each week for a first-grade spot in the Blue and Gold against centres the calibre of Willie Tonga and Will Hopoate.
And with both Hopoate and Tonga named in Origin squads for Game 2, the opportunity has opened to take his form in VB NSW Cup into first grade and stake his claim in the starting squad.
“I think it is a bit more humbling than anything,” Morgan said.
“They are obviously the two form centres in the game at the moment so I just need to keep working hard and hopefully I can prove myself this weekend.”
“I’ve been working on some stuff, obviously trying to get a bit more involved in the game and I’ve been working hard back at Wenty so hopefully I can put it on show on Sunday.”
With the Eels coming up against a Bulldogs side missing halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, Morgan says there is an opportunity for Corey Norman and Chris Sandow to shine.
“Obviously we got our direction from our halves and we’ll be looking for them to do that on Sunday night.”
“I think everyone is a bit hurt from the State of Origin series so there is no real excuse. We just have to get out there on Sunday.”
The Eels will be looking to turn around their poor away record when they travel to ANZ Stadium to take on the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.
“We don’t have a very good record away from home but we just want to be more desperate heading out to the field than the other team and show a lot of energy.”