Dyldam Parramatta Eels forward Danny Wicks will play his 100th NRL First Grade game this Friday night when the Eels take on the Sydney Roosters at Pirtek Stadium for Round 18 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Wicks, who became the 770th Blue and Gold player, made his Eels club debut in Round 2 of the 2015 NRL season against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
When he takes the field against the Roosters tomorrow night, Wicks will be playing his 31st game for the Eels.
Speaking of Wicks’ milestone, Head Coach Brad Arthur had plenty of praise for his determination and attitude.
“I remember the first time we met Danny," Arthur said.
"I came away from that meeting saying he is definitely someone that can help take this club forward.”
“He was a bit busted throughout his first preseason, we trained him pretty hard, and he was pretty resilient. He is getting the rewards and so are we at the moment.”
“He's a big reason why the playing group is still managing to hold it together this year with a few of the dramas that we’ve had off the field,” Arthur added.
“Danny’s faced plenty of hardship so he is well equipped to handle it and help the boys through it."
Fellow teammate David Gower echoed Arthur’s praise.
“It’s a big thing for him to play one hundred games,” Gower said of Wicks.
“To stay at it, and to have five years out, and come back and be successful, it’s a massive achievement for him and we’re very proud of him” Gower added.
“We’re going to make a big point of going out there and playing well for him this weekend and hopefully we can get the win for him and also for us, the club and our fans.” Gower added.
Speaking earlier in the week, Wicks reflected on the upcoming milestone.
““She’s been I suppose, in one word, a rollercoaster.”
“I’ve been on the highs and the lows. I’m only playing one hundred games at the moment but I had five years out.” Wicks said.
“It’s a milestone I'm proud of my family’s proud of.”
The prop made his NRL debut in 2006 for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
