Bevan French insists he’s fully focused on helping drag Parramatta off the bottom of the NRL ladder, despite reports he’s unsettled and could be on his way out of the club.
The 23-year-old is off contract at the end of 2019 and yet to strike a new deal with the Eels. His 2018 season was disappointing, by his own admission, having been dropped to reserve grade and losing the fullback role to Clint Gutherson.
The speculation around his future at Parramatta began late in the season and continues to do the rounds in the NRL rumour mill.
Canterbury and Gold Coast are said to be two clubs interested in the talented fullback-winger.
French admits he has no idea where his rugby league future lies.
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“I’m just focused on trying to get my body right, and right now my focus is at Parramatta,” he told foxsports.com.au in All Stars camp in Melbourne.
“We’ll see how that goes. I’m off contract at the end of the year but I’m loving my time there so we’ll see how it goes.
“You’ve got to learn to block those things out and just focus on your own game and where you’re at currently.
“As far as that goes I’m just focusing on what I have to do at Parra first and we’ll see what happens from there.”
His debut season in the NRL was electric, and there was plenty of hype around the Tingha product heading into 2018, as there was around the entire team.
But the Eels fell flat last year and French found himself in the NSW Cup.
He admits he doesn’t know exactly where he fits into Brad Arthur’s plans for 2019.
“We haven’t really spoken about expectations or anything like that,” he said.
“We’re still a month away before Round 1 so everyone is still just trying to get their body right. There’s plenty of healthy competition.”
In an effort to turn things around from the disastrous 2018, coach Arthur has adopted a new approach to pre-season.
The entire squad embarked on a bonding camp as soon as they returned from holiday.
“It’s been an enjoyable pre-season. It’s been quite tough but we’ve done a few extra things that we haven’t done before, relationship building and things like that. Everyone has got to know each other a bit better so it’s been good,” French said.
“First week back in pre-season is sort of testing and seeing where you’re at, (but) our first week we went away on camp.
“We trained hard but then during the night times it was more relationship building, getting to know each other a bit more.
“I think it’s brought us all closer which hopefully brings a bit more trust together out on the field.”
Replies
I reckon the cowboys will swoop
I'll be shitty if he is allowed to leave without being given another opportunity at fullback. There is nothing to dislike about Captain Clint being the fullback, but he doesn't have as much upside as French (who has the genetic advantage). You can't coach the speed, footwork and instinct that French has. Moreover, if French gets injured, we would have a great plan B in Clint.
In saying that, French needs to come good pretty soon. I will be watching the Allstars game with serious interest.
I used to back French. I now wouldn't mind if he signed with the Cows or whoever and seeing Fergo throw him to row 13.
" we trained hard but then during the night times it was more relationship building, getting to know each other a bit more. " WTF kind of bonding are the boys getting up to?
The kind Grunta gets into with Coach
French was good for us in 2016 and 2017 but last year I think other teams found him out and knew how to deal with him.
His height and weight are also working against him. He is easily picked up and thrown around.
If he has a bad year again this season I think it will be his last for the club.
Now where have I heard that before? - Brett Hodgson anyone?
Apparently French had a shocker in last weeks trial so I'd say it's going to be an up hill battle for him to get a first grade spot come round 1. However I'd love for him recapture some of that electric form he came to grade with.
BA hasn't put him in any position to succeed. The quotes from Bevan in this article if true are a bit worrisome, and given what we've seen from BA I have no reason to doubt them.
Not only has he not mapped out a plan for him to start the season, he's giving him no direction for his game. BA's excpectation is that whoever plays fullback plays the same role so he can chop and change depending on where he has needs in the backline. Gutho might play fullback to start the season, but we lose a centre he might want him there instead and Bevan to fill the same role. They are different players, with different skill sets and different bodies. He needs to put them in position to do well. The players need to understand their role as members of the team and the team needs to undersrtand how to play with them. ie. the job of a friggin coach. You only have to watch a training session or us in a game to see its tha same over rehearsed shit with different people slotting into different positions. Bevan would worry teams around the middle with his speed. He doesn't worry them playing out the back across field.
Probably something the bald halfwit should be doing rather than bonding and team building corporate exercises. I think Bevan has been a massive dissapointment and his career has gone backwards since he debuted. The blokes in charge need to quickly make a decision if that is on him or the coach before we make decisions going forward. I suspect most of us have a fair idea as to the answer.
"You really can't add weight to spindly legs, even by building glutes and thighs." Go read a strength and conditioning textbook once in a while Poppa.
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