Dyldam Parramatta Eels captain Beau Scott says the side is looking forward to the week in the Top End, after landing in Darwin this afternoon.
The side will spend the week training and visiting various community groups, before Saturday night’s game against the Gold Coast Titans at TIO Stadium.
“There’s a bit of warm weather [here in Darwin], obviously we have had a bit of crazy weather down south over the last couple of days so we are looking forward to getting up here and experiencing what Darwin is all about,” Scott said.
“We’ve done a lot of pre-season in heat similar to this – not sure about the humidity - so it will be a challenge, but both teams will be out there and experience the same thing so we’ll take it in our stride.”
See the Round 14 Team List
The Eels will come up against a former teammate in Nathan Peats, who made a much-publicised mid-season transfer earlier in the season.
“It will be a challenge for us, obviously Peatsy left us a couple of weeks ago and I think he will be looking forward to playing us,” Scott said.
“We will approach that later in the week and figure out how we are going to handle him and the rest of their team.”
The team list named to play on Saturday night features a club debutant in Rory O’Brien and a new halves combination, and Scott is looking forward to seeing the side take the field.
“We’ll manage – we’ve got a couple of young players looking for an opportunity at the club at the moment, and they’ll put their hand up and do the job for us. “
After being met by the NT Minister for Sport, Nathan Barrett, Scott and various members of the Eels squad will be visiting schools, community groups, hospitals and junior league clubs in Darwin throughout the week.
“We’re up here for a reason, and that’s to spread the word of the NRL and rugby league in the Northern Territory,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to the week out here experiencing the community and what Darwin has to offer.”
