For Dyldam Parramatta Eels second-rower Anthony Watmough, this pre-season has seen him in a situation he’s never been in before, and the new recruit says it’s bringing out the best in his game.
With two premiership rings from his time at the Sea Eagles, Watmough joined the Eels ahead of the 2015 season on a four-year deal.
“I’ve never been out of my comfort zone like this before,” Watmough said.
“Brad wanted me to do a certain job and it got the best out of me as well, with all the young kids there to push me and for me to push them.”
And heading into the Blue and Gold’s first trial match of 2015 tonight at Alice Springs’ ANZAC Oval, Watmough says the side won’t be taking it lightly.
“We’ve all got high expectations,” Watmough said.
“We’ve ripped each others heads off day in day out for three months, and we’ll be disappointed if we don’t put on a good display, as will our coaching staff.”
“We’re very close,” he added.
“It’s a good solid team that I’ve walked in to. They’ve been friends for a long time so the base is there, we’ve just got to take the next step.”
The move sees Watmough working again with Head Coach Brad Arthur, who was part of the Sea Eagles coaching staff back in 2013.
“He’s on 24/7,” Watmough said of ‘BA’.
“He’s Mr. Footy, so what they see [on television] is what they get, but you can have a laugh with him when you get away from the cameras.”
