Dyldam Parramatta Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur named Tim Mannah and Kieran Foran to Captain the Blue and Gold in 2016 at this morning’s 2016 Season Launch.
Mannah was appointed Club Captain of Parramatta in front of the guests at the season launch, which included the Parramatta Board of Directors, Club Patrons, NRL and NSWRL officials, commercial partners, Parramatta Councillors and the NRL playing squad, and hosted by Eels ambassador, Andy Raymond.
For Mannah, who was the sole captain last year, sharing the load and responsibility with fellow teammate and Team Captain Kieran Foran was a welcome one.
“The one thing I have learnt about captaincy over the years, is there is a lot on your plate, and it will be nice to share the load with Kieran and not overload someone with all the responsibility. “ Mannah said.
"Kieran is a smart, 80-minute player, and definitely a player that will lead with his actions," Mannah added.
"It’s good to have him there calling the shots on the field, and I will be relieving him with pressure off the field as Club Captain."
Click here to hear from Kieran Foran on his appointment
“We are very fortunate as a club to have someone like Kieran in our team. If you looked around at the club last year and had your pick of any player from any club, he would definitely be a lot of people’s top picks.” Mannah said of Foran.
“His role is going to be a lot of the on-field stuff and he is going to make all the on-field decisions where my role is going to be similar to what I had with Jarryd a coupe years ago where I handle all the off-field stuff and take a lot of pressure off him in terms of media and corporate commitments.” Mannah added.
“That suits me and having him as on field captain suits him in the team as well.”
With the Blue and Gold focusing on their final pre-season trial against the Penrith Panthers this weekend, Mannah reflected on the growth of the squad over the past few months, and how the side was shaping up leading into the season.
“The most pleasing part of the summer is the way the young blokes have stepped up. Guys like Tepai, Peni and Manu have really started to turn into men overnight, have come back from the break really grown up and have added a lot to our squad.” Mannah said.
“We still have a lot of growth in us as a team and I think having us both there will definitely help our team grow as well.”
“It’s a really good year for us to let our footy do the talking,” Mannah said.
“I think every year I come out and say we have been working really hard and have high expectations, but I am really confident this year we don’t have to come out and do that.”
“We have a really good squad that can really talk with our football.”
Following the club's final trial game against the Penrith Panthers on February 21, the Dyldam Parramatta Eels will kick off the 2016 season against the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday, March 3, at home at Pirtek Stadium in Parramatta.
