The Parramatta Eels are preparing to take on the Gold Coast Titans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 4 August in Round 21 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Speaking with Big Sports Breakfast this morning (Thursday 2 August), Norman says the Eels are looking to rebound after another frustrating loss last week.
“They [Titans] have come off a good win and no doubt they will want to keep that going. We have come off another frustrating loss so we are looking forward to Saturday,” Norman said.
“I will go about my business as usual and play my part for the team and try get the boys over the line. It doesn’t matter if it is up against the Titans, or whoever, I will go into the game the same.”
“They attack side line to side line, have plenty of football in them, and when they are on they are on. Come Saturday they are going to be a tough ask.” Norman added.
The Eels have named young Jaeman Salmon on the bench, set to make his NRL debut this weekend.
Norman had praise for his teammate.
“Jaeman is a big boy at a young age. He is a good runner of the ball and pretty level headed too at training when we do opposed work,” Norman said.
“But I think his running game is his best attribute at the moment and he is a pretty smart footballer.”
With the Blue & Gold not featuring in the Finals in 2018, Norman said it was extremely irritating not playing in the big games, compared to last year’s campaign.
“I don’t really watch the Finals because it does irritate you [not being in the big games],” Norman said.
“Especially being in them last year and how good it was, even though we bowed out two weeks in, it was still a great feeling haven’t not played Finals in a long time.”
“We definitely had a team to do it again and experience it again, and it’s so frustrating that we won’t be there this time this year.” He added.
However Norman said there were still plenty of lessons to take from the Blue & Gold 2018 campaign.
“There are so many lessons to take this year. I have said it that many times, but our attention to detail when we are under the pump, the silly offloads, dropping the ball, and as a team we have been locking up a bit. We get a bit tense and we just need to relax and really get back into the grind,” Norman said.
“I felt like this year we have just locked up and felt the pressure.”
Apart from pressure on the field, there has been plenty of external media surrounding Norman and his playing future, the five-eighth gave the following comments on the issue.
“We have had a chat and that is all it has been at the moment. As it stands, I am still at Parramatta,” Norman said when asked about the Gold Coast Titans.
“My relationship with Brad is still very good. We have had a chat and I said the other day that it doesn’t need to be said what we spoke about. We are fine, have a very good relationship, have had a chat (a while ago) and it’s all good there with Brad and I,” Norman added.
“Brad said to ‘look after Corey Norman’. We have had a discussion, but he said to do what is best for me.”
The Eels kick off against the Gold Coast Titans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 4 August in Round 21 of the NRL Telstra Premiership. Kick off at 5:30pm. Click through to purchase your tickets to the clash!
Click here to listen to the full interview with Norman on the Big Sports Breakfast this morning.
