http://www.nrl.com/maitua-maturing-to-get-eels-back-on-track/tabid/10874/newsid/68753/default.aspxThe prospect of being one of Parramatta's oldest NRL players next year doesn't sit well with Reni Maitua.But the Eels forward is relishing the chance to be a leader in the squad once Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt hang up their well-worn boots at season's end.The 29-year-old admits his return to the NRL last season after a two-year drug ban has been bittersweet given the Eels' consistently poor performances and last placing on the ladder."I've been back a while now and frustration has started to creep in - no one wants to be in this position," Maitua said."I certainly don't want to have this year again next year."Although not wanting to put 2012 behind him just yet, Maitua is already looking ahead to next season for redemption.And it all starts with Saturday's match against ladder-leaders Melbourne."I think it's extremely important that we go in the right direction over the next six weeks, not just starting on November 1 when we come back to (off-season) training," he said."We've all had a frustrating year and there's certainly things I'm looking forward to working on over the pre-season and moving into next year."Personally, I've got a feel for the players around me now and I've got some ideas of who I'd like to work with in regards to building combinations and things that might work for us."With his 30th birthday fast approaching and 12 months' experience at the Eels under his belt, Maitua said it was inevitable that he'd be seen by his younger teammates as a leader in the absence of Hindmarsh and Burt."It's sort of a responsibility you don't want to have," he said."I feel like sometimes I'm one of the youngest blokes in the team. I joke around and like to hang out with the younger boys."But it's a time where you've got to realise that you're being looked up to as a leader and that's something I'm still working on."It's also something that I'm actually looking forward to."Staying injury-free is Maitua's top priority over the last seven rounds, as is avoiding the wooden spoon for the sake of his captain and mentor Hindmarsh."Hindy's someone I've looked up to my whole career and a wooden spoon is not the way I want to send him out," he said.Maitua is contracted to the Eels until the end of 2013.

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

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • He needs to lift his game bigger than a gold medal winning olympic weightlifter.
    He is looking a little bit more dangerous in attack but his defence is dreadful.
  • Anyone remember that there was going to be a documentary on maitua coming back from his ban from drug use.
    And he was training in the jungle or some crazy shit???
    • Thailand doing muay Thai training
This reply was deleted.

More stuff to read

Eli Stephens replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Kautoga to represent Fiji this weekend
"He is definitely a player to keep an eye on for us. Hopefully the ankle has healed up fully and he carves up. Big season next year "
30 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Iongi Would Like to Remain an Eel For a Very Long Time.
"Coates is definitely going to be the star recruit for PNG. But I'd assume the majority of their side will be PNG grass roots players with a few experienced nrl players "
31 minutes ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Iongi Would Like to Remain an Eel For a Very Long Time.
"Well De Belin would be 37 when PNG enter the comp. He would be looking at an extra pay day to finish his career where he missed two years of. Issue wont be exactly getting players but keeping players longer than say 2-3 years would be an issue. The…"
1 hour ago
iamnot replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion NRL THREATEN 10-YEAR BAN FOR R360 DEFECTORS
"If Parramatta never picked RCG or Blake up, they would have stayed at Penrith. Simple as that. Both players got paid out their Penrith contract value, in full. "
1 hour ago
More…