Parramatta front rower Justin Poore will play his 150th NRL match against South Sydney on Friday night in what shapes as a do or die battle for the Eels.
Poore made his debut for St George Illawarra back in 2004 and last year became a State of Origin player.
However his transition to the Eels hasn't been an easy one, and Poore has endured a trying season at the blue and gold's.
The club's big name signing for 2010 along with Timana Tahu, Poore was given the nod to start, pushing last year's star Fuifui Moimoi back to the interchange bench.
But Poore struggled to find his stride, was relegated to the reserves and hasn't made it back into the run-on team all season.
A few months ago there were rumours suggesting he wanted out of Parramatta, but he and the club always flatly denied this was the case.
However, as the years gone on his performances have improved and along with captain Nathan Cayless, Moimoi and Tim Mannah - he has helped form one of the stronger prop rotations in the NRL.
Poore said he's proud of having reached the 150 game milestone and is primed for the match which will decide whether Parramatta bow out of the top eight race completely or remain some hope.
"I'm really proud, 150 games is a great achievement," Poore said.
"I've really enjoyed my time so far at the Eels and I'm looking forward to hopefully adding plenty of more games to my tally as the years go on."
The Eels received a further boost in the lead up to Friday's clash with the Bunnies, with key players Justin Horo and Eric Grothe re-signing with the club.
Horo, who made his NRL debut with the Eels this season, has signed for three more years while Grothe has signed for the 2011 season.
Horo, 23 has impressed from the bench in 2010, playing 20 games and scoring three tries so far. While Grothe's season has been hampered by a knee injury, the 30-year-old is feeling strong again after undergoing surgery earlier this year.
Both players carry on a family tradition as their respective fathers, Mark Horo and Eric Grothe Snr are former Eels players.
It has been reported Horo had to take less money than he was being offered elsewhere to remain at Parramatta.
"We're very happy to have secured both these players for next season," said chief executive Paul Osborne.
"Justin and Eric have a strong family tradition with this club that we would all like to see continue. Eric has been a valuable member of our NRL side for many years and it's great he'll be back on the paddock for the Eels in 2011.
"Justin is clearly a talented player who will only improve in the future and we see him as someone who can be an important part of our forward pack for a long time."
To make the top eight, both Parramatta and South Sydney will need to win their two remaining NRL matches and have other results go their way.
Even though their hopes are slim, both sides are preparing to throw everything at each other on Friday night.
Replies
i agree adam1969, he is a great player, i dont under-rate his contribution and i think he will have a great 2011 season
watch him get better and better
Poore has slowly gotten better over the course of the year. I've been quite impressed with his form over the past few months or so particular.
Congrats to him for playing 150 games :)
P.s gee some tigers fans have become annoying recently.
I rate him so highly and people who bag him fail to understand that since round 8 he has been kicking butt for our team.
He is a genuine, lovely guy who loves Parra and does his best every week.
We love you Poore - we want more, we hope you score, we're going to roar! <3'
please don't fight...
Let me know whom they are and I will TERMINATE them for you MY LADY !
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next