Corey Norman ready to step up for Parramatta Eels

By Laine Clark Updated 28 January 2018 — 3:17

Brisbane: Former NRL bad boy Corey Norman has vowed to finally step up as a leader at Parramatta with Queensland jerseys up for grabs this year.

Ahead of his ninth NRL season, Norman – 27 next week – admitted it was time to take ownership of the Eels and stake a Maroons halves claim.

Ready to step up: Corey Norman.

Photo: AAP

Norman is in the mix to fill the void left by the representative retirement of Queensland halves Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk after being included in the Emerging Maroons squad on the Gold Coast this weekend.

The Parramatta playmaker said the penny finally dropped that it was time to become a leader after being named in his first Emerging Maroons squad.

"I think so. I have been working on that (becoming more dominant) the last couple of years," Norman said.

"(But) there are opportunities there now.

"There are a lot of boys who are going to be putting their hand up for those jerseys - I am looking forward to a big year."

There have been plenty of potential wake-up calls for Norman.

He copped an eight week NRL ban in 2016 over a range of indiscretions including two drug convictions – later overturned – and a police warning for consorting with criminals.

Asked if there had been a lightbulb moment when he realised he had to step up, Norman said: "That's a hard one – I know what you were trying to get at (2016 ban).

"But nah. I have always wanted to do this and play at this (Origin) level, it's just that I have now got the opportunity."

New Maroons assistant Josh Hannay said he was looking forward to seeing Norman push his case.

"He's at an age where he is ready to be that leader, the main man at his club Parramatta, and I think it will be exciting this year to see how he handles that," he said.

"I can live with it and I don't think Pezet will be a lemon.The only thing that'll hold him back is injury.I have a sneaking suspicion he'll go well and the only real concern I have is the rinse wash repeat cycle we have going in 27 around the…"

"A family friend played against him in a touch footy competition. His coach mentioned Brett Kenny, a local kid that has been signed by Parramatta is playing against them and to watch him, family friend say "oh please, I worry about myself they have…"

"Kurupt…there’s a great article in the magazine below about the Eels and Rabbits getting down and dirty. Final score 31-20, however, I won’t spoil who dominated who."

Replies

This reply was deleted.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown January 28, 2018 at 8:51pm
El patrón MDV January 28, 2018 at 8:36pm

I am sure i saw the same article preseason 2017
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > El patrón MDV January 28, 2018 at 8:41pm
  
  LOL, Corey says this before every season hes been here.
  
  To be fair its a bit of a worry hes decided to step up now because theres QLD spots up for grabs, he should be wanting to step up regardless.
  
  I'll believe it when i see it.
Alan Hunt January 28, 2018 at 8:41pm

We hear the same shit every pre season.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Alan Hunt January 28, 2018 at 9:05pm
  
  Just waiting on a few from Timmy now.
Muttman January 28, 2018 at 8:44pm

Toughest preseason ever
- Beer Baron > Muttman January 28, 2018 at 8:50pm
  
  Hahaha dammit muttman you beat me to it! Although I’m not worried as I’m sure mannah will say it sometime between now and season start
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst January 28, 2018 at 8:55pm

Just waiting for the Fong reply to this hahahahaha
Scott-JaneBigCatEvans-Selmes January 28, 2018 at 8:59pm

He will be in Moses shadow the entire year.
- CarloEEL2 > Scott-JaneBigCatEvans-Selmes January 28, 2018 at 9:00pm
  
  Eye roll