The Parramatta Eels are preparing to take on the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium in Round Four of the NRL Telstra Premiership this Easter Monday.
Heading into the clash, the Blue & Gold are searching for their first victory over the season and will come up against a confident Wests Tigers side who have had victories over the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm.
Blue & Gold five-eighth Corey Norman spoke to Big Sports Breakfast this morning (Thursday 29 March) and says that despite the injury toll the Eels are facing, the side has to knuckle down and come away with the two points in this ‘must win’ clash.
“A tough start to the year. It’s another massive game again on Monday and it’s a must win.” Norman said.
“We are still in high spirits out there to be honest. The injuries are not ideal for us but we have always had faith in the people that come in to do a job.”
“We can’t look for any excuses or listen to any outside noise. We just have to knuckle down and win. It’s as simple as that.” He added.
The Wests Tigers have shown a strong defensive resolve in 2018 and Norman expects the opposition to once again turn up for one another.
The Eels will also be looking to continue with their strong defensive effort shown against the Cronulla Sharks last week.
“They are turning up for one another and work hard. If somebody makes a mistake or goes out of their system then someone is there to make that tackle and they have each others back.” Norman said of the opposition.
“They have let in three tries over the past three weeks and after that tough loss last week, no doubt they are going to come ready to rip in on Monday.”
“Last week, the most pleasing thing was that our defence is back, that attitude in defence is massive, so if we can get our attack right and come with that same attitude, hopefully the result will turn our way.” He added.
The Eels have scored just 18 points in three weeks, with no points in the second half, and Norman says that the amount of possession the Eels have had over the past few weeks has taken it’s toll.
However Norman says it is the side’s ill disciple and turnovers that have starved the attack with any ball.
“I think our attack is just not clicking at the moment and that’s a weird thing to have for us because we have always been able to put points on the board.” Norman said.
“Not scoring points is hurting us at the moment and we are working hard in attack, but it’s the amount of possession with the ball.”
“We just don’t get enough ball with ill discipline and too many turn overs.” Norman added.
“When we give the ball away we don’t seem to get it for the next four to five sets, and when we do get it, you just don’t have any juice to come up with any good football.”
Preparing to play in his 150th NRL clash, Norman admits his own personal form is not where it should be.
But the Blue & Gold five-eighth says the side have been preparing well and will be trusting in their game plan and turning up with the right attitude this week to go a long way.
“The structure we have set there now is that we have a game plan and we are trying to stick to that as best as we can. Sometimes I don’t get my hands in the ball as much but we are trying to stick to the game plan the coaches are giving us and at the moment, everyone is so desperate for a win and everyone is trying to win the game on their own as well.” Norman said.
“When you try too hard that can be even worse. I think we just need to calm down and really stick to the game plan and trust the process.”
“I put my hand up, my form is not where it should be at the moment but I’m working hard at training.” He added.
The Parramatta Eels kick off against the Wests Tigers is at 4pm on Easter Monday at ANZ Stadium.
Click here to hear the full interview with Corey Norman on Big Sports Breakfast.
