The Parramatta Eels 2018 season is officially over with the Blue & Gold players beginning their season reviews before going on their off-season break ahead of the 2019 pre-season.
Speaking with Big Sports Breakfast this morning (Thursday 6 September), Blue & Gold five-eighth Corey Norman says the side has completed their reviews, looking back at the 2018 season.
“We have had reviews on Tuesday and Wednesday. We just spoke about the whole Club review, so that was brought up with everyone and then on Wednesday we did individual reviews,” Norman said.
“We have two months off so we will get back on November 1st and it’s a very early start but you have no choice when you finish last.”
Speaking about his review with Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur, Norman said the directive was clear for him, needing to step up, lead and be professional next year.
“Brad said that come next year, I really have to step up, lead and be really professional next year. I have to come with a positive mindset and really lead this team,” Norman said.
“That is what came out from it, it was a very disappointing year, obviously my football wasn’t up to standard as well, so we looked at that too and discussed how we were going to fix that.”
“I think it will be the senior boys that will have to lead,” Norman added.
“If Haynsey is still there, no doubt he will have to step up, and it will have to be the senior boys that have been around the game for a while to take next season to a different level.”
With the Eels attack struggling to click in 2018, Norman said his relationship with halfback Mitch Moses was not an issue.
“Mitch and I, we have no issues off the field and there isn’t even an issue on the field. Just sometimes things don’t work out,” Norman said.
“We are both dominant halves and playmakers and both want the ball at the same time and sometimes that doesn’t work but we have to figure something out really quick and how that is going to work.”
“There has to be one dominant half and when we both want the ball, it is just confusing everyone really, so come 1 November, we will have to sit down and have a chat about what we are going to do.” He added.
With the entire Blue & Gold squad not returning until November, Norman said the next two months were a much welcomed time to mentally refresh.
“We need to take a lot out of this year and come 1 November, know this isn’t going to happen again,” Norman said.
“We need to get away and for the next two months completely forget about football and freshen up mentally.”
“I think that will be a big thing for the playing group, getting away and freshening up mentally because by the end of the year, it is very draining and you don’t realise until its over, how draining it is mentally.”
Click here to hear the full interview with Corey Norman on Big Sports Breakfast.
