Maitua maturing to get Eels back on track

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.

"Nothing wrong with going Back To The Future either, which in this case means going all out for DCE. In the lead up years to our team of the 80's, we signed great 5/8's at the end of their careers to add experience and IQ to the team. First it was…"

"Sorry Nitram.I don't like rating players in that way.There are so many complicated variables to consider beyond an individuals control. I would hate to have my work performance rated by someone who has power over me and has completely different ways…"

Replies

HH - Love You Iongi Time! July 19, 2012 at 3:24pm

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.
Mac5733 July 19, 2012 at 3:55pm

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???
- Trucker Eel > Mac5733 July 19, 2012 at 4:24pm
  
  Thailand doing muay Thai training

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs

Maitua maturing to get Eels back on track

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Player ratings - Rugby League 26 - poor Lane - our worst player

R20 vs RAIDERS: The Future is Now

Club needs to step in on the Moses representative situation

Dylan Brown

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

LUKE METCALF

NSW Origin Squad 2025

I say if we lose this week against Newcastle we will come last

Jim Sarantinos on SEN: Moses an outside chance before R9

Note: this page contains paid content.