Bulldogs' centre of attention
Ben Blaschke NRL.com :: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:19:00
Veteran Bulldogs halfback Brett Kimmorley has a warning for Parramatta’s right-side defence ahead of this weekend’s much-anticipated clash at ANZ Stadium – watch out for Josh Morris.
Eels centre Joel Reddy was superb last Monday night in limiting the influence of Melbourne star Greg Inglis, but his task won’t get any easier on Saturday when he marks up against the Bulldogs flyer.
Kimmorley said Morris – who has sits equal fourth on the NRL try-scorers list this season with 13 – had added some real strike power out wide but warned he was only going to get better after enjoying his first taste of State of Origin for NSW in 2009.
“I’ve seen a lot of players go into Origin and come back out with a lot more self-confidence – I think the same thing will happen with Josh,” Kimmorley told NRL.com.
“He will have learnt off the other players and picked up little things that can help his game.
“The fact that he has handled some big-pressure occasions will help him when he comes back to club games.
“He has already been exceptional for us this season but he will only be better for the (Origin) experience.”
Kimmorley himself looms as a danger man for the Eels, who have started to find their feet in recent weeks after a slow start to the season but face their toughest challenge yet against the in-form Bulldogs.
The former Sharks playmaker has hit career-best form since arriving at Homebush in the pre-season – culminating in his stunning recall to the Origin arena for last week’s third game – and says a more relaxed attitude has been behind his resurrection.
“I think I was a bit rawer as a footballer in the past,” he said.
“Everything was so fast and frantic and sometimes that led to mistakes. Now I feel like I’m a bit slower… a bit better controlled.
“I have taken some good advice over the years and I don’t feel that there is any pressure on me at the Bulldogs.
“I’ve got no pressures outside football so I’m just enjoying going to training, going home and not having to worry about anything and then turning up the next day ready to go again.
“This club has really made a huge difference. I feel very comfortable with where I am at the Bulldogs.”
This week’s clash with the Eels aside, Kimmorley can also expect a recall to the NSW outfit again in 2010 following his impressive showing in last week’s game.
The 32-year-old has often been the scapegoat for the Blues’ failures in recent years but that is likely to change after he led the side to a 28-16 win.
“I just thought that if I went out well and enjoyed my role – my role for NSW this time was pretty much the same as my role is at the Bulldogs,” he said.
“I didn’t have to change my game or play any different. I’m pretty comfortable now with who I am as a footballer.
“I always thought that if I went in and played well I could stake a claim to be there again in the future.
“There have been plenty of guys that have gotten back into the team for various reasons during their careers and I thought I could do the same.”
