The Dyldam Parramatta Eels have returned from the weekend, ready to jump straight back into preparation to take on the defending Premiers, the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night for their Round Two clash at Pirtek Stadium.
Coming off a loss against the Broncos, whilst disappointing to not start the season with a win, new recruit and fullback Michael Gordon said there were still positive signs for the Blue and Gold.
“Obviously against the defending Premiers, they looked like they picked up where they left off last year so I am expecting another tough game like we did on Thursday night.” Gordon said.
“Whilst there was some disappointment in the game, and obviously losing, I saw some great positives there and I think this team has a lot of potential to do really well. I saw some good signs there the other night.”
Sporting four stitches to his face, the evidence of Gordon putting his body on the line for his new team, the fullback was looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd and doing everything he could to give the Blue and Gold Army something to cheer about.
“Any time you play at home, you want to build your home stadium as a fortress so you don’t really want to loose two in a row,” Gordon said.
“We will be doing everything to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
And with Eels Team Captain and halfback Kieran Foran ruled out of the season opener late, Gordon said whilst it was disappointing for ‘Foz’ to miss out, the Blue and Gold squad had worked hard with a number of play making options throughout the pre-season.
“I thought Kieran was close to playing the other night so if everything goes well I am sure he will be running out,” Gordon said of Foran playing against the Cowboys.
“He is the captain and everyone knows the way he plays is tough, and I would love nothing more to run out beside him.”
“We have had plenty of sessions in pre-season where he hasn’t trained and Kells did a great job at training so the transition was smooth for us because we have done it plenty of times,” Gordon added.
“It was probably more of a disappointing for him because I know how much he wanted to be out there, in the season opener at home. Fingers crossed he is right for this weekend.”
The Eels take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday 12 March. Kick off is at 7:30pm. Click here to purchase your tickets to the Round Two clash.
