Dylan Brown’s pre-season efforts have earned him the respect of the team’s senior players and Parramatta co-captain Clint Gutherson tipped him as the Eel’s most promising young gun.
“Losing Normy was said, but I think it will work out for both of us in the long run and Dyl is trying to step up and take that spot,” Gutherson said on a parraeels.com.au podcast.
“He’s got a bit of competition, with WIll Smith there and me or Bevvy to step into that six role, but at the moment he’s really impressed me.”
Gutherson said in week one of pre-season, Brown pushed himself so hard that he fainted.
“It’s exciting to see a young fellow like that, 18, just coming into the squad and just trying to push his case and I’m sure Brad and the coaches really want to see that and I know that he earned a lot of the boy’s respect by doing that.”
“I think he’s going to have a massive year.”
Gutherson said that the young Eels coming into the squad had been impressive.
“They’re pushing us older boys to keep getting better, because we have the depth where if you’re not playing well or not training right, you might miss out.”
“It makes you fight for your spot and that’s what you want in pre-season, you want to be fighting for every centimetre you can get.”
“I’m really impressed with all the young boys at the moment.”
Comments
Hoping Brown can transition quickly into first grade, he seems to have all the ingredients to make it. Good to see some exciting juniors coming thru
Intersting after yesterday's discussion that he nominated Bevan as a potential option there.
And just as interesting he didn't nominate Salmon. Looks like Salmon is pretty much locked in for a centre spot.
Poppa i know of 2 teams that have expressed intrest in him as a 6. In fact a deal was being discussed untill a few setbacks occurred.
Bev is aware that this year its fullback or wenty BA no doesn't want him on the wing. But his talent cant be questioned and 6 could well be his future.
Dont rule out 2020 spine of Reed, Brown,Bev anfmd Gutho
I like the idea of Salmon at centre. Good young players with all round games who may end up in the halves later tend to make excellent centres early in their career. They are usually good defensively and have a bit of vision which are massive ticks for a centre.
I alwasy thought Burt would have made a decent half. Good footy brain, and undersized as a winger (later in his career). Might be the same for Bev.
I agree regarding Luke Burt. He was always a few steps ahead of the game than everybody else and I think we really missed an opportunity when we were without solid halves to throw him in there. He played one match at halfback during his entire career and we won that. It was in 2011 against the Gold Coast Titans in a battle for the wooden spoon.
Agree Pete, Burt could have made a decent half if he started there from juniors, good footy IQ and always showed good vision, he was always fairly football mature up top from a young age and because of that seemed to have a little more time than most.
Pity his size held him back, that was his big liability and he may have been able to avoid that somewhat if he played in the halves.
Yes 1eyed, listened to the podcast yesterday. Got the impression Gutho whilst happy to help out the team in filling in where needed( positionally) he really wants the 1 jersey
Nathan Cleary and Brad Fittler come to mind.
He’s got great hair!