Proud Sea Eagles Member Eliot Metherell took part in our Member Media Experience last Friday.
Eliot was randomly selected from our Member database to participate in this 'Member Exclusive' opportunity on match day against the Knights.
MY MATCH DAY EXPERIENCE
We may not have gotten the 2 points, and we came away with injuries that we could definitely have done without given our depleted playing stocks.
But I think the game against the Knights actually produced more ups than downs.
The greatest players aren't made great by being picked in a dominant team, they're forged in fire and a fire is definitely what our reserve players are being dropped into - and they've come out hardened.
Jack Gosiewski, Taniela Paseka and Kelepi Tanginoa have all shown incredible toughness beyond their experience and will be all the better for this struggle as they develop.
Players like Shaun Lane as well, who rose to the challenge last year, give a lot of hope for our club.
There has been a lot of talk about us lacking depth, particularly in the middle of the field, but looking at these young talents I find it hard to believe.
I was impressed with the way Barrett handled himself at the press conference.
After addressing several questions regarding the nature of injuries to Croker and Gosiewski he was immediately faced with the one he obviously didn't want to hear:
"What about Jackson Hastings?"
He could have scowled and refused to answer, he could have made a sweeping statement that might be regretted later. But he didn't. He gave an honest answer, that no decision had been made about that.
I've seen more seasoned coaches than Trent Barrett handle such questions poorly and to see that response tells me that we have not only a great coach, respected by his players, but also one who won't be drawn into drama - exactly what we need right now.
- Eliot
