Dyldam Parramatta Eels five-eighth Corey Norman has warned that his combination with new recruit and halves partner Kieran Foran will only improve as the competition progresses.
After returning to Blue and Gold training, a few days off after a physically demanding 20-6 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs last Friday night, Norman says the Eels still have plenty of areas of improvement.
“The mood is good, after a good win on Friday and a couple of days off,” Norman said.
”Everyone is feeling good and there is a good vibe about.”
After playing just his second NRL game alongside Foran, the in-form Norman said that playing with Foran would allow him to focus and continue to improve on his own game.
“I think the combination is coming along really good. We have only played two games together, and there is still plenty to work on,” Norman said.
“Probably linking up with each other a little bit more, but we will work on that and hopefully it gets better.”
“Foran is an experienced player, and level headed, and that’s what he has been bringing to the team. It has been really good, but it’s only early so it will get better.” Norman added.
“I can worry about my own game a bit more, and he takes a bit of pressure off me which is good.”
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Whilst the Eels have come away with two wins in two weeks over two of the heavyweights of the competition, the North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Norman said the side knows they have another tough challenge this week.
“The Tigers are playing some really good football at the moment, even though they got beat on the weekend. No doubt they will come Monday and be firing again, so we just need to keep backing up good wins and hopefully we can do that this Monday,” Norman said.
“You have to stop their go forward and Mitchell Moses & Luke Brooks are playing some really good football at the moment as well, so we will have a look at them this week and do our best”
And whilst a win on Easter Monday will continue to grow the side’s confidence, Norman knows that they need to continue playing tough footy, with a focus on defence, throughout the season.
“It was good that we won that, but it is gone now. Everyone knows their role and we are just playing tough footy.” Norman said.
“We were just up and down in general last year, and this year we are a bit different. When the game is on the line and it gets a bit tough, we are hanging in there and coming out the other end and that is probably the most pleasing thing.” Norman added.
“That’s what we are most happy about, our defence. Everyone knows it has been an issue in the past, but we have just kept turning up for each other.”
The Eels take on the Wests Tigers this Monday (28 March) at ANZ Stadium. Click here for the Game Day Info
