Corey Norman has revealed the decision to force him out of Parramatta came from the “top” and not Eels coach Brad Arthur.
Just 12 months after starring for the club he was on the way out following a horrid year personally and for an Eels side who finished with the wooden spoon.
Norman says telling Arthur that he was St George Illawarra-bound was among the most difficult conversations of his career.
“It’s no secret Parramatta didn’t see me in their future,” Norman said.
“The conversations with Brad when I decided to come to the Dragons was tough.
“We have a really good relationship. We are very close. It was tough to tell him I was going to leave. It was weird. I didn’t want to say it to him. We have that respect. He just said he was always going to support me. He just wanted me to make the right decision.
“(The decision) must’ve come from the top. It came out that it came from the top. If they don’t see me in their future it is what it is. That’s what they’ve done.
“I felt like we let Brad down as players. You don’t realise how much it affects you until you step away from football. It was mentally draining.
“When I look back sometimes we tried too hard and made it worse.”
With the horror of 2018 behind him Norman is keen to reunite with former Brisbane teammate Ben Hunt at the Dragons. Hunt was instrumental in getting Norman to the club.
“Once I spoke to Benny he was keen to get me down here and the boys would love me,” Norman said.
“I’m excited now I’m here.”
Norman wants to do more than just line-up in the same starting 13 as Hunt, he wants to partner him in the halves.
Coach Paul McGregor is yet to settle on his fullback and five-eighth roles for the start of the season with Norman having trained in both spots.
Skipper Gareth Widdop has also split time in the two positions while incumbent Matt Dufty wants to keep his No. 1 jersey.
“I prefer to play five-eighth,” Norman said.
“It’s no secret that’s where I feel like I’d be best for the team. I don’t mind fullback. I just don’t think I’m quick enough.
“(Hunt) complements my game. I’m looking forward to having a couple of trials with him.
“We are all switching around so we can see how we go.
“It’s getting the balance and fluency between us. Everyone is on the same page. That’s what pre-season is for. It’s been working well.”
Super League was not an option for the 28-year-old who is adamant he can recapture the form which saw him emerge as one of the best attacking players in the game in 2017. McGregor has told Norman to find his “football instincts”.
“My standards were very low,” Norman said of last season.
“I’ve never lost that much in my life. Dealing with that was something new. What I learnt from it was don’t blame anyone else. Have a hard look at yourself.
“I’m not going to lie, things were tough last year. Only winning four games makes it very difficult to come to training and be upbeat and get ready for another week.
“Your confidence takes a knock.”
Replies
Arthur and O’Neill weren’t the ones taking drugs and pissing it up on weeknights. And O’Neill was a legend who drew a complaint by a whiny feminist.
The fact we got rid of Edwards, Norman and Hayne - three of our best players - shows what was wrong with the club last year.
Liquid paper is wicked stuff son. Do not sniff it!
LOL Pau has gone full retard today, the club has never made a wrong decision in his eyes ever.
He's a funny bloke Fong, unlike you. He doesn't get his jollies putting shit on a bunch of dopes on a footy forum.
'Vile grubby behaviour'... your husband must be very proud.
He is a fucking legend. If you'd ever met him you'd know this. For a bloke with zero talent to play 200 NRL games and win a premiership says plenty about his quality as a person.
That's not why he's a legend. He's a legend because he's a funny cunt.
You can be away from this place for weeks even months. Come back to have a look, same old fools whinging about the same bloody thing. Ha Fong you sure are a tool, never disappoint. Brissyeel, Fong will never admit he wrong, he jus disappears for a while then comes back when all forgotten and starts again with the same old crap. Lol
Lol still the fool, what was that? Cartoon expo? Your so desperate to inflict a good insult that you say anything & add dope to it, such a born looser. Lol your as pathetic in 2019 as you were in 2018, it's unfortunate we all have to read your dribble about the club yearly with the same regurgitated rubbish as before with exactly the same wording. Lol
I've never reported you, you fool. Why would I as you do a great job yourself. And from what I can see you started in with Pou, I was just stating your words are predictable because your small brain can only hold so much. It's why we all hear your same dribble year after year. I was just pointing this out because I have no doubt, you will want the eels to fail this year, just so you can say I told you so. Your so insecure your only way to get at people is by your teenage words like dope, dork, mundane we've heard them all before. Your a child trapped in a blad headed, fat belly body that screaming for attention. Hopefully the eels will have a great year, the coach will take them into the 8 and keep them there. Play an open type of football that will be exciting to watch. That would be the only thing that will keep you away with your mouth shut! Success & wins!! How miserable & sour you must be when you can't even look forward to a new year, death riding them from the start. That so you, so Fong!!
The fact BA wanted to keep him shows exactly why he won’t be coach by rd10.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next