Eels pay tribute to retiring De Gois and Robson

Tue 29 Aug, 2017, 7:05am
By Chris Kennedy, National Correspondent‌‌, ‌‌‌NRL.com
@CKennedy80

Eels pay tribute to retiring De Gois and Robson

Retiring Eels hooker Isaac De Gois. Credit: Robb Cox. Copyright: NRL Photos.

The Eels have paid tribute to a pair of retiring veterans in Isaac De Gois and Jeff Robson at their annual Ken Thornett Medal night with De Gois admitting it is sad to be forced out by injury.

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‌De Gois passed 50 appearances at three different clubs across a 225-game first grade career with Wests Tigers, Cronulla, Newcastle and Parramatta before lingering effects from a pre-season concussion forced him into retirement this year.

Robson left his Riverina homeland to join the Eels system as a 17-year-old back in 2000 before eventually debuting with Manly in 2004. He returned to the Eels for a personal breakout season in 2009 in which he was the halfback in the team's memorable charge to the grand final.

Stints at Cronulla and the Warriors followed before a third spell in blue and gold, plugging a huge gap in an injury-ravaged side for nine games last year. His one NRL game in 2017 saw him score a try in the Round 3 loss to the Titans but his Wentworthville teammates spoke in glowing terms of their pride at playing alongside the veteran in his final season.

De Gois admitted it had been a "difficult" year given the lengthy uncertainty around whether he would ever be able to return to the field.

"[Rugby league] is a big part of your life," De Gois told attendees at the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Grand Pavilion on Monday night.

"You meet people you're going to know for the rest of your life as well. It's given me everything I've got today. I'm thankful to all the clubs I've been to… I was fortunate enough to play for Parramatta. I'm thankful to the Eels for sticking by me through quite a tough time."

De Gois in particular thanked the Eels coaching staff, head coach Brad Arthur and assistants Pete Gentle and Steve Murphy, and the playing group for their support through the uncertain period.

"It has been difficult. Obviously retiring not on your terms through injury is always tough," De Gois said.

"In saying that the players, all the boys have been extremely supportive. They've always been there asking how I am, just little things like that."

Robson said it was an honour to come back and finish his career where it had started.

"I moved up here [from Leeton] as a 17 year old back in 2000. I think some of the boys here were still in nappies!" Robson laughed.

"I'd just like to thank Brad and the club for having me back. I really wanted to finish my career here.

"It's a great bunch of boys. It's a tight knit group and it's like family I reckon, everyone gets on well and everyone sprays each other and has a laugh.

"It shows on the field how they've been playing. If it's good off the field you're usually good on it. I'm just honoured to be back at the club.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing rugby league... The mates you get out of the time you play and the clubs that you've been to, I don't think anyone would speak badly about their experiences playing rugby league."

http://www.nrl.com/eels-pay-tribute-to-retiring-de-gois-and-robson/tabid/10874/newsid/111526/default.aspx

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES AND TIME WITH THE EELS, YOU EACH DONE WELL AND HOPE YOU ARE BOTH NOT LOST TO THE GAME. TRUST YOU BOTH AND FAMILIES CAN ENJOY THE RETIREMENT.

Look at other sides and especially their young talent, they have a bit of arrogance and attitude as they know they are good players and ooze confidence which our players lack. I think BA and the club went too far down the path of recruiting good…

"Is that the Parra Podcast circle jerk ? The club could be proven to have a meth lab in the cellar and be touring the local schools getting children addicted to meth and those Cumberland Tossers wouod defend them by identifying the club is helping…"

"Bellamy has been at storm longer, yet team if beat, never embarrasingly... even with a weaker roster at times, still show up. Why, the systems in place."

Replies

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER August 29, 2017 at 2:06pm

thanks for the Memories
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" August 29, 2017 at 4:01pm

I'll second that.

For all the flack these two have copped from the Eels fans they NEVER forgot to turn up for a game.
- CarloEEL2 > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" August 29, 2017 at 4:13pm
  
  Good job fellas , you worked hard without fuss !! Enjoy the rest
BE STONE COLD August 29, 2017 at 4:39pm

Well at least Robson can tell his Grandchildren that he was the Halfback of a team that made the Grand Final
This reply was deleted.
- colin hussey August 29, 2017 at 5:11pm
  
  No Probs Tad
  
  Neither player were fancy, neither were rep players (to my knowledge) neither won a grand final, nor did they get mentioned in the top raters in their positions. That said, both gave their best and served each club they played for to the best of their abilities, the eels are better for them and for me and already I hope they enjoy life without the week to week grind of training, the injuries and the like, they now can enjoy family life and are still part and parcel of the Parramatta Eels football club.
Alan Hunt August 29, 2017 at 5:31pm

Both great clubman who gave the club their all.

Cheers lads well played.
Mr Salmon August 29, 2017 at 5:42pm

Both of these players were very important to where we are now and what are squad are all about.
Good luck to them.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" August 29, 2017 at 8:07pm

Every team needs the "journeymen" ch - without them the stars can't shine.
Bob Jay August 29, 2017 at 10:18pm

2 modern day Kevin Webbs

Very reliable

Showed up every week

Thanks boys
Eel of 66 August 29, 2017 at 11:25pm

Well said Bob Just like Webb and yourself these two gave great service to the club and I'm sure both have passed on their knowledge to our younger players.