The faster the pace of the game, the better Matt Parcell will go according to the former Ipswich Jets hooker.
Parcell has been one of the real shining lights at training in his first pre-season with the Sea Eagles after agreeing to join the club from the Brisbane Broncos last season.
His decision to sign with the Sea Eagles saw him drop out of favour with the Broncos, resulting in Parcell playing the rest of the season with the Ipswich Jets in the Queensland State League.
And what an impact he made. Parcell took the competition by storm, scoring five tries in a finals match before playing a starring role in the Jets winning the State League and the National Championship.
Parcell said he made the most of his time with the Jets instead of wondering what may have been with the Broncos.
“When I first went back to the Jets, the first couple of weeks were pretty tough,’’ Parcell said.
“You know you are good enough to play NRL and you want to be there. I looked at it like this was my last opportunity I got to play with some of the boys I played with at Ipswich for the last five years, so I started to really enjoy the footy there and it showed. We ended up doing quite well.”
Ironically, Parcell will now go up against the Jets when the boys from Ipswich take on the Sea Eagles at Pittwater Park on Saturday, February 20, in the biggest pre-season clash of 2016.
“There will be a lot of banter directed at me from the Ipswich boys,’’ Parcell said.
“From their point of view, there will be a lot to prove with them coming down here to play against us, so they will be ready. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
Parcell said his hard work under Dan Ferris (Head of Physical Performance) has him ready to become one of the best dummy half runners in the NRL.
“With the reduced interchange, there will be a lot more fatigue now and more opportunities to back up and support,’’ Parcell said.
“That really excites me. I love quick play the balls. The faster game really suits my style.
“I’ve enjoyed the hard training. It has been tough but this is my job. I want to be pushed to the limit in pre-season. This is the opportunity now to get my body right.”
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