Front-rower Wiremu Greig is determined to use his stint filling in for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard to prove he deserves to remain at Parramatta long-term.
In round eight, a hip-drop-style tackle from Brisbane's Payne Haas left Campbell-Gillard preparing for a two-month spell on the sidelines with a groin injury and opened up an opportunity for Greig to become a regular starter.
The 23-year-old played only one game on the run to the grand final last year but has become a mainstay of Brad Arthur's bench this season now that middle forwards Oregon Kaufusi, Ray Stone and Nathan Brown have left the club.
Greig passed the first test of his new mission; Campbell-Gillard worded him up about starting with intensity against Newcastle last week and the big Kiwi did just that, finishing with 134 run metres - 58 of them post-contact.
"(Campbell-Gillard) is just tipping me up on where I can be better," Greig said.
"He's been doing that, which has been helping me, where I can use my energy better and what to do out there.
"We're unstoppable when we start powering through that middle as a team and start pushing for each other."
Greig has the chance to start at least seven more games while Campbell-Gillard is out, beginning with a mouth-watering clash against Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and the Gold Coast forward pack on Sunday.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the young Eel knows the next two months could determine whether he remains at the club long-term.
He and second-rower Bryce Cartwright are the only two regular members of the Eels' 17 who are without deals beyond this campaign.
"Definitely (it's a good chance)," Greig said.
"I'm just improving from week-to-week, getting better and showing Brad. He's already trusting in me more than he has been, which is good, building Brad's trust week-to-week.
"I'd be happy just to stay here if it comes up."
Greig's workload has impressed State of Origin prop Junior Paulo, whom he is partnering in the front row at club level.
"He's certainly been doing a good job every time he gets an opportunity," Paulo said.
"Over the next couple of weeks that Reg is going to be out, it's certainly going to be good practice for him and he's certainly looking forward to the challenge."
Replies
For Greig to gain a new contract he must show that he can do more than just 20 minute stints. Right now I wouldn't sign him. He's had enough time to get fully fit and 20 minutes isn't good enough. If the team cop a few injuries and lose a couple of middles in a match, Greig needs to show that he can play big minutes. He's had enough time and needs to do more imo
Agree. He seems really tired after 20 minutes. Don't know what contributes to this except for perhaps unfitness and overweight. He's had a lot of time to improve in those areas if that the cause
There is nothing wrong with being a 20 minutes bench prop. Eels can just sign him on a cheap deal. You can just sign other forwards who can play big minutes as your depth signing if your worried about injuries.
Look at our current team, Paulo, RCG can play a minimum of 60 minutes if needed. Lane, Matto, Hopgood, Carty all 80 minute players. Hands can play 80 min hooker. Maka is actually capably of playing big minutes as well. We are fine with Greig.
Spot on EA.
A genuine impact bench prop is definitely something we've been missing for some time.
Our two SOO worthy props can play the big mins.
It actually could be an advantage, as other clubs most likely wont be pursuing him for a starting role anytime soon & offering more money.
He's kind of the perfect fit for us imo, and he's got some swagger about him, cult hero potential there.
I agree his fitness needs to improve but he is still only 23 and I doubt he's on massive coin. It seems he's realised where he needs to be in order to consistantly perform at the top level.
People develop their fitness & endurance at different rates. If he's been lazy or unfit in the past, then it will still take some time for him to build a proper, big minutes, first grade tank.
B.A knows Greigs fitness levels and how they're progressing since he's come to the club. He also knows how they corresond to the work he's been putting in. It's possible that he's really only been putting in 100% for the last 6 months or so.
If he's now putting in at the level BA wants, the way he's going now, I would sign him again on a modest 2 yr deal. He's always had decent size and agression, if he can keep improving his fitnesss he could be a very valuable player for us.
Maybe Rugby League is a tiring game Drooper. Arthur Beetson used to get tired and rest on the wing, He destroyed a whole English Test side once and came off at half time, maybe Wiremu likes "pies" as well.
Interesting comment about Beetson Poppa.I wonder if we should do more of having wingers and high activity players like Hopgood and Hodgson take a breather on the wing for short periods in defence.?
I think BA is incrementally increasing his minutes each week. I'd certainly be prepared to extend him for another year based on what we've seen thus far.
Chiefy, its great to be a contrarian but realistically when was the last time you signed a player?
I sign up a player last night.
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