Parramatta Eels fullback Bevan French reflected on his 2017 season and what he’s aiming for in the 2018 season after taking part in the NSWRL Emerging Blues camp at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 14 January.
Taking part in the Emerging Blues camp with fellow Blue & Gold teammates Mitchell Moses, Tepai Moeroa and young Blue & Gold hooker Kyle Schneider, French was honoured to be selected.
“Everyone wants to play NRL since they were a little kid, playing state of Origin is that next level.” French told NSWRL.com.au during the camp.
“Everyone that wants to make NRL wants to play Origin footy. To be named a part of the Emerging squad like you said is pretty honourable and exciting as well so I’m looking forward to it.”
The 22 year old spent the end of last years season on this sidelines with a reoccurring hamstring injury, missing out on the final two rounds of the regular season and not coming back for the Eels finals appearance.
French said his focus in 2018 will be returning to consistent football, week in week out, for the Eels.
“It’s always good to score tries and find a bit of form of crossing the try line,” French said.
“I think my main focus this year is just trying to get a bit more games under my belt. I was out for quiet a few weeks there with injury and stuff like that.”
“I think I was bit in and out with form at some times as well; consistency is what I’m looking for this year. With that consistent form, with game-to-game, week-by-week and probably just trying to stay out on the field.” He added.
With Moses joining the Eels mid 2017 season, French says he benefited the squad and improved their halves combination.
“When he [Mitch Moses] came across it helped us out a fair bit, it freed Normy up a bit. You know Normy he did most of the stuff before Mitch came around, he did a lot of organising and trying to run the ball as well and do what he has to do.” French said.
“With Mitch coming over it took a lot of weight off his shoulders and they only had half a season together and they killed it.”
“Now they’ve been training for a full pre season, come round one it’s going to be pretty exciting to see where they are at.”
“I think he’s someone a bit like me that cops a bit of criticism about his size. But he proved them wrong this year when he came across.” French added.
“He had a few questions around his defence, but coming into Parra he came here and week-by-week he put on quiet a few big shots that surprised me as well.”
“He’s a little bloke but he’s got a lot of heart, I am very happy for him to be selected in this as well. He’s got all the talent in the world and he’s a great leader as well.”
The 2018 Emerging Blues camp was graced with NSW True Blue Origin legends Head Coach Fittler, Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Mark O’Meley, Anthony Minichello, Matt King and Craig Fitzgibon in their first training session.
“It’s a confidence booster I think, you got guys like you said Danny, Freddy and there’s Andrew Johns here as well and other ex NRL players and other great players as well that we can all learn off.”
“Were going to learn off the coaching staff and we can learn off each other as well while we are here.”
“There’s great a lot of skill going around within this little squad here at the moment. We’ve got a heap of experience within the coaching staff, it’s pretty exciting to be here and look forward to learning things.”
To watch the interview with NSWRL.com.au, click here.
