Liam O'Loughlin
@ljoloughlin
They are two of the young guns expected to deliver the Parramatta Eels premiership glory in the coming years - but Dylan Brown and Reed Mahoney are feeling absolutely none of that pressure.
The pair had fantastic 2019 campaigns with the Eels and in 2020 are going to be focal points of the side that many are tipping to go all the way.
And the arrival of Immortal Andrew Johns is certainly going to help the five-eighth Brown improve his game, as well as hooker Mahoney and halfback Mitchell Moses.
Speaking on a recent edition of The Ice Project podcast with former NRL player Isaac John, the talented Brown explained the role Joey has played and what he has helped him focus on with the ball in hand.
“A few things he has taught me is like using your eyes," he said.
"Say a lead or sweep play, there is more to it than just catching the ball, going to the line and passing it. It’s your feet, where your eyes are in certain points of the play, how you pass the ball.
"It all depends on how close to the line you are, but I’m more of straight runner.
"That’s what Joey is teaching us now, it’s all about the eyes – I like to run personally, and Mitch (Moses) does too."
Mahoney also spoke about Johns' influence and he hopes to play 'straighter' as well in 2020 out of dummy half.
But Johns isn't the only one who is hoping to get the best out of the two youngsters - head coach Brad Arthur has played a massive role in getting them to where they are today.
Mahoney spoke about his first interaction with B.A as an example of how 'to the point' the coach is and why the players respect him so much.
“I reckon he is really good, he doesn’t beat around the bush and he just tells you how it is," he said.
"It was my first day of NRL training, we had made the 20s grand final and got done last minute by Manly. I went back to work but there was a bit of chat that I might be training NRL, so anyway I got the gig.
"I walked onto the verandah there, he told me to come in and gave me all the hype – then he goes bang and tells me ‘you’re a greedy f****g thing’ and I was like holy s***.
"That was about it, that was my first day and I hadn’t even met anyone yet."
Quizzed on who Arthur's favourite is, Mahoney was quick to respond that his five-eighth Brown was the golden child at Parra.
But Brown had a different answer, and also delved into his own relationship with the coach.
“Gutho is always No.1…Mitch would be up there too," he laughed.
"He asks a lot of questions, he’s not just do this or do that – he wants to know what you feel.
"He asks a lot of questions on how I’m feeling and do I agree with things, and I sit there thinking he’s the coach and he should be telling me what to do.
"I obviously feel weird in that way, but he’s good."
Parramatta will kick off their 2020 NRL season against the Bulldogs on Thursday 12th March at Bankwest Stadium.
Replies
Very interesting. I mean bit of a nothing article really, they are starting to write anything to get a few clicks cause everyone is champing for the season to start.Everyone saying we are expected to win it scares me, but bring it on.was reading yesterday it was 34 years from our first game til our first premiership and has been 34 years since our last premiership, would be uncanny if we win it.
Message to DB, no point telling everybody in the NRL community what Joey is teaching you, they arnt paying him, our club is and its meant to be to your advantage.
Keep all that shit up your sleeve and just do it on the park.
The Ronin does not go and share what the master teaches him willy nilly to everybody, he will never become a Samurai doing that.
Just do it on the park and have everybody guessing you dope..
And dont take up playing poker anytime soon.