Eels five-eighth Corey Norman says while his team needs to produce better performances than their efforts in Round 15 in Melbourne, he and his teammates have full faith they can turn things around this week.
The electric number 6 welcomed the opportunity to work hard during the week and bounce back from the loss.
“It was pretty bad, but you're going to get that," Norman said.
"You're not going to be perfect every week, and it’s a good thing for us to get back to training now and get back to work.”
When it comes to the list of injured players at the Blue and Gold, including hooker Nathan Peats, centre Will Hopoate, second-rower Manu Ma'u and winger Ken Sio, Norman paid ceedit to his Eels teammates who have stepped in to first-grade.
“Vai [Toutai] came in and did a good job, we've got Ryan Morgan here too, whose doing a great job," Morgan said.
"Whoever comes in, we’ve got full faith that they’re going to do a good job, so I wouldn’t call it a crisis.”
Head Coach Brad Arthur has the club sitting at eighth spot coming into Round 16, and while talk of the wooden spoon is long gone, Norman says its vital for his team to kick on to solidify a top-eight spot.
“We’re half way through [the season]," Norman said.
"As a team, we need to step up if we really want to take this year seriously. We just need to keep working and doing what we have to do and I think we can do that.”
Parramatta's Round 16 match up with the Knights is a perfect opportunity to do just that. The Eels are yet to lose at Pirtek stadium, but won’t be taking the Knights lightly, after the Newcastle side broke a 7-match losing streak against the Cowboys on Monday night.
“I’m sure it’ll be a good crowd and it’s always good playing here," Norman said.
"The Knights are coming off a win, so they’re going to be turning up here ready to play, so it should be a good game.”
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