Dyldam Parramatta Eels forward Beau Scott says there is a fair bit of confidence and belief amongst the Blue and Gold squad, as they prepare to take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on tomorrow night (Thursday 14 April).
Speaking with Big Sports Weekend after the Eels 36-6 victory over the Raiders, Scott said the side will enter the clash well prepared.
“Obviously the first 4 or 5 games through the year, we’ve been wining the games on the back of our defence,” Scott said.
“It’s not a bad way to start the year and it’s building a fair bit of confidence and belief amongst the team”
“A few things came together for us [in the game against the Raiders], especially the attack side of things. We had both our halves on the training paddock for a couple of consecutive days leading in which always helps and it was a good result and made a lot of the fans happy.”
And whilst Beau Scott did not return to the field in the second half last week, the forward confirmed it was just preparation for the short turnaround into the Sea Eagles clash.
Adding to the preparation, the Blue and Gold also added a new, temporary room to their training facilities this week, a Cryosports athlete recovery chamber, set at minus 80 degrees celcius.
“Half time last week, we were up a bit so I took the opportunity to get a little bit of a rest before the short turn,” Scott said.
“Just little bumps and bruises that I've been picking up over the last couple of weeks have been adding up a little bit, but at halftime we just had a little conversation. I just stayed off for the second half, and the game went in a way that was to plan.
“We’ve got a short turn around and we will be back at it. There’s not too much you can do on these weeks on the field, so we’ve just got to get our bodies right and be 100% physically ready to go,” Scott added.
The Eels victory over the Raiders last week sees the Blue and Gold start the season with four wins from six games.
“Brad’s very keen on making everyone accountable for their job and getting it right so that’s probably the main thing,” Scott said of Arthur’s influence on the Blue and Gold.
“We are pretty hard on ourselves and he is even harder so that’s probably one thing. We get back to videos if we win on the weekend and view it again to really see where we can get better and improve on the training paddock.”
Eels halfback Foran crossed for his first four-pointer in his new team colours, and will head back to Brookvale Oval this week.
“He is still hitting his straps, obviously coming back from a hamstring injury, which interrupted his start to the year but I think his best is yet to come.” Scott said.
“It was great to see him at full speed, I couldn’t keep up with him,” Scott added.
“He took off and that’s probably the first time I’ve seen him in the Blue and Gold colours do such things.”
The Eels kick off against the Sea Eagles on Thursday, April 14, at 7.50pm. The Round 7 clash will also be centre Michael Jennings' 200th NRL appearance.
