Dyldam Parramatta Eels halfback Luke Kelly says last night’s 20-all draw with the Gold Coast Titans showed there are still things to improve ahead of the Telstra Premiership kick-off next month.
The Titans equalised with a try on the buzzer in front of a vocal Alice Springs crowd, but Kelly says there are many positives to take from the game.
“We thought we played well in the first three quarters, and to let them in at the end was disappointing, but in saying that it is the first trial,” Kelly explained.
“We did some good things and obviously some not-so-good things, but we’ll work on them. We’ve got another trial next week and then a bit of a break and then the season starts.”
With a larger squad rotating through the match, Kelly says it was still a good first showing for the NRL pre-season.
“There are a few little things that we’ll talk about, but I don’t think it’s anything too major,” he said.
“At the end of the day it’s a trial game and that’s what they’re for; to work out what you need to work on.”
“It’s tough to keep a bit of continuity, as everyone needs to get a crack and push for their spot for selection, so that makes it tougher as well, but it’s all part of [a trial].”
It finishes up a big week in Eels Territory, with school and community visits, junior clinics and an open training session - with the locals turning up in droves to support.
“We always get good support up here, be it here in Alice Springs or Darwin; the Territory’s getting right behind us which is good and I know the boys look forward to coming up and playing here each year,” Kelly said.
Click here to read the match report from last night's trial game.
