Eels sign another bad-boy reserve grader...

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/10/11/439576_sport.html

"KENNY Edwards knows it could be his last shot at the big time.

The stocky second-rower is painfully aware he owes it to himself, his family -- partner Madison and two-year-old daughter Malia-Rose -- and a couple of rugby league people who have not lost faith in an unfulfilled talent.

Handed a third chance to make it in the NRL, courtesy of a Parramatta offer, Edwards is determined to prove he is a changed man, one far removed from the bad-boy image that has tainted his erratic career since his schoolboy days at Keebra Park High.

"This is an opportunity for me to show people that I'm a different man," he said.

"It's a big challenge after what I've been through.

"I've had a hard time in the last few years but I feel the time is right for me."

The cousin of Kangaroos Test prop James Tamou, Edwards was this year's Southport Tigers senior captain who grabbed the spotlight for all the wrong reasons late in the season.

He featured in a well-publicised incident during an under-17s match when he was acting as a trainer.

Among several allegations, Edwards was accused of repeatedly inciting his young Tigers to fight their Cudgen opponents.

He was banned for the rest of the season, but had the charges downgraded on appeal and was freed to play for Southport in the Bycroft Cup finals.

It is an incident Edwards deeply regrets.

But he says it is all in the past, as are other off-field matters that lead him to admit to being a former problem child, the victim of a tough upbringing.

Edwards has already blown chances to play NRL with Manly and St George Illawarra.

He played Toyota Cup with both clubs, but continuing off-field antics forced him to sit out 2011 before he signed to play with Southport this year. In 2007, Edwards was an Australian Schoolboy rep while at Keebra Park. He looked set to take the next step and lobbed at Manly.

"In 2008, I moved to Manly and I basically thought I'd made it without really having made it," Edwards said.

"I started hanging out with the the big names, doing what they did, and I got into trouble.

"Then in 2009 I was at St George and I ran into more off-field issues."

But former Manly video analyst Will Badel knew Edwards could play and, now with Ricky Stuart at Parramatta, has convinced the NSW Origin coach to give Edwards a go.

Edwards has been offered a one-year contract which will be reviewed after six rounds in 2013.

"Will talked about a Penrith stint but that fell through," Edwards said.

"But then he rang me and said there may be an opportunity at Parramatta. He said he was going to speak to Ricky Stuart.

"Then out of the blue I was at work and had a missed call on my phone. It was Ricky and he said he wanted a yarn. That just blew me away.

"He told me it'll take a lot of hard work, but if I'm keen and show them 100 per cent in attitude and training it'll all be good.

"I agree I've been been a problem child but from now on there are no excuses for me any more.

"As Ricky said, it's all up to me now and I'm more than ready to take the chance."

 

Says he got a call from Stuart personally... hopefully he takes this seriously. I also noticed he's Tamou's cousin... It seems we have a habit of targeting the family members of our real targets, with some pretty good success so far...

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • Yeah, we need a bit more mongrel. Have done for years.

  • I hope it goes all well for this bloke, If he goes hard out & Sticky makes him the best he can be, he will be pretty destructive

  • FUNNY THAT RON...

    cousins of our real targets and hard nuts...

    toughen up parra

  • facts are very unclear crow...

    imo why on appeal did they back pedal and withdraw the complaint ?

    Sounds like Every Bloody Juniour District in the State.

    Fellas whom with a little Power think they Run The World !

  • inciting young-uns to go the knuckle in a big match???????????????

    OMFG bout time we stepped up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lussick, farah, bird, kenny and hopefully JWH - champion team! 

    We're gonna get some boys with mongrel - BOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough of this nice guy lets all have a pray after the match crap!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Child abuser? Who?

  • Maybe we could sign Arana Taumata while we're at it.

    Or bring Julian O'Neill out of retirement?

    Surely we can find a coaching job for John Elias too!

  • we are providing a community service!

  • I am nice and I come last a lot, my wife likes it.


    What?


    Well we all know that Ricky Stuart is aiming for the prize pig now in James Tamou, lets hope he takes the bait?
This reply was deleted.

More stuff to read

macybrown replied to Josh d's discussion Brown limited minutes
"I like your walker to 6 idea Coryn! "
51 seconds ago
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion Haven’t commented here for a while. Good to see we’re still a dumb team.,
"Yes why we we do a short kick from the goal line when we could kick the ball at lease 50 metres but nooooo we kick it 12 metres 2 tackles later they score 
 
I can hear Blaize laughing "
1 minute ago
macybrown replied to Josh d's discussion Brown limited minutes
"Looking forward to Ryles' presser reckon he'll own some of this loss based on his many positional descisions tonight...which would be fair for him to do unlike our previous 10 years experience.
really think it was too much all at once for a side who…"
2 minutes ago
Archie replied to Josh d's discussion Brown limited minutes
"I'm with you Coryn. Brown is gone next year and playing him at 6 serves no purpose to building structure and confidence next year whilst blooding the heir apparent.
The way Junior and Williams defend next to each other I'd play him at prop... that…"
2 minutes ago
More…