THE Parramatta Eels may have missed out on signing his older brother Israel two years ago but John Folau is making an impact in the club’s Holden Cup side.
As the Eels prepare for the second preliminary final against the Warriors on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, coach Justin Holbrook says he’s excited by the potential the younger Folau is showing.
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“Johnny is having a great season for us, in particular the last six weeks he has been playing sensational and as the year has gone on he has got better and better,” Holbrook said.
“He is definitely a great player for the future.”
The Eels are ready to go head-to-head with the Warriors and Holbrook believes he has the squad to be able to match the New Zealanders physicality.
“We have a lot of big physical players as well so we’ll be able to match them, obviously when you play the Warriors you need to be very physical because you know that’s what they’re going to be.
John Folau will be one of the players to watch in the Holden Cup grand final. Source: Supplied
“They’re a tough side to play, they’re very unpredictable with the way they play but they’re also playing with a lot of confidence at the moment at the right end of the year.
“We know we have to be at our best to win.”
Having defeated the Broncos in the first week of finals, the Eels are coming off a week’s rest with Holbrook believing this will put his team at an advantage leading into the game.
“During the year you put yourself in a position to win that first semi to earn that week off which is what we have done and it is definitely a plus for sure.
“It means there is a bit of pressure off the boys which helps at this time of year.
“We’re definitely happy we had the week off, we’re ready and looking forward to the game.”
The Warriors line up includes Holden Cup Team of the Year player Sam Lisone, however Holbrook insists the Eels need to focus on the entire 17 and not just the 102kg 20 year-old.
“Sam made the Holden Cup Team of the Year obviously because he is a quality player,” Holbrook said.
“But once you get down to the final four teams there is strike power all over the field so we need to watch all of them and not just him.”
Replies
Go the eels and go Johnny!
I'm getting in before Paul...have we signed him yet?
Hahaha.
But seriously, have we? lol
Imo
he's a better player, asin courage, integrity, loyalty and ambition