Eels halves given licence to roam

By Chris Kennedy NRL.comMon, Feb 22, 2016 - 07:00AMParramatta coach Brad Arthur is refusing to have his two gun halves locked in the cage of playing one side of the field each, instead calling on both Kieran Foran and Corey Norman to play what they see in front of them.Eels fans got their first look at the brave new world in Saturday night's 22-8 trial win over Penrith at Pepper Stadium and while both sides were understandably rusty at times, it was the away side who looked superior in attack and defence.The halves linked up well, passing to each other in attack on both the far left and far right fringes of the field and despite all the fanfare around Foran's arrival it was form-man Norman who was the dominant player.Norman took the bulk of the long kicks for territory and continued on from his tournament MVP gong at the Auckland Nines with another mature display.Foran meanwhile revealed he had been limited to two ball-work sessions in the week of the game after a pre-season interrupted by a hamstring injury. However he added he is back to full fitness and hoped two weeks of solid training ahead of Round 1 would have him firing in time to face a Broncos side coming off a World Club Challenge rout of Wigan."Brad's big on that," Foran said of the free-flowing connection between the two halves."He said that from the get-go. He doesn't like pigeonholing us into left and right halves, he likes his halves to swing and play whatever they see in front of them."He likes to play a really positive game like that and that suits both me and Corey. We've had limited time to gel as a combination but we'll work really hard over the next two weeks and hopefully get things sorted for Round 1."Arthur said despite having to manage Foran through the off-season the early signs between he and Norman were "OK"."They've got to get used to each other. When you're tired and under fatigue the combinations [are harder to produce], we haven't been doing a lot of work and the combinations aren't quite there so they'll get better as we go along," he said.Arthur said Norman's recent dominance was predominantly down to fitness and strong training over the off-season."I just think he's had a really good pre-season. He's physically fitter and he's physically stronger and I think he's more dominant," Arthur said.The Eels host Brisbane in the 2016 season opener at Pirtek Stadium on Thursday, March 3.Video first featured at parraeels.com.au

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Replies

Daniel February 22, 2016 at 9:52am

The best thing for Kieran Foran is the early season form that Corey Norman is displaying and looks to have picked up from his form from last season.

If Corey can continue his form and dominance into the start of the season then this will allow Kieran to steer the boys around the park and ease his way into the team combinations. All whilst Norman is doing most of the attacking plays and creativity.

Crystal ball viewing this hopefully will take the pressure off both halves and their combinations and allow Foran time to settle in.
Prof. Daz February 22, 2016 at 10:25am

The most interesting play in the Penrith trial was the second half try on the right side by Gutherson. Foran and Norman went to the right, Foran first receiver. Those two together turned a 4 on 4 into a virtual 4 on 2, the way they each drew players in. Taka was smart enough to run an inside lane too. My point is both have great pass selection and they also both run to the line. If they continue to swing to both sides of the ruck and link up, they're going to be difficult to reliably contain. Good signs.
- the Eggman > Prof. Daz February 22, 2016 at 3:36pm
  
  Yes that was a good one,the commentators picked it but it happened so quickly that there was nothing penrith could do. Hopefully see more of that sort of thing during the season . another thing which was good was that all our tries were from close range, something we have struggled with in the last few years, as well as a few repeat sets from kicks in goal. Exciting stuff indeed.
mighty magpie February 22, 2016 at 1:38pm

Get back to how the halves played in the 80s. Having both play on the same side when the situation warrants it will make these blokes very dangerous
Steve February 22, 2016 at 2:40pm

Norman's pass to Jennings for that try was Sublime.
Braeden Kelly February 22, 2016 at 7:04pm

Good to read that Foran is back to full fitness and is fit and raring to go and is keen to get his combos with Normie going in the next 2 weeks leading up to the broncs

This reply was deleted.

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