No half measures in Norman's decision
November 09, 2013
HE felt bewildered and slightly bruised at his treatment during his final weeks in Brisbane but Corey Norman is determined not to hold a grudge.
The 22-year-old has arrived at Parramatta, ready for a fresh start.
Speaking for the first time about his less-than-glorious exit from the Broncos, Norman confessed he was still at a loss for the exact reasons he was sent back to the Queensland Cup to play out the final nine weeks of the season.
But he bears no malice towards head coach Anthony Griffin.
"It was a combination of a few things. Obviously I wasn't going to be there next year and maybe 'Hook' (Griffin) was just looking forward to 2014," Norman said.
"Hook did what he thought was best. As a coach that's what he has to do, and he did it."
Norman played 25 NRL games in 2012 predominantly at five-eighth, but first grade ended abruptly for him in round 17. His announcement in May, that he was off to the Eels on a three-year deal didn't endear him to the Broncos faithful.
But Norman was determined to end on a positive note and went to the Broncos end-of-season ball last month with his head high.
"I did because I'm not going to be sour on them for those last rounds I wasn't playing first grade.
"I'd been there since I was 16 so I am really close to the boys and all the staff there. I wanted to say goodbye to everyone as I had no hard feelings against them."
Norman headed south under another cloud; the departure of the man who signed him, Ricky Stuart.
"I was a bit confused about what was going on," Norman said of Stuart's exit in September to return to Canberra.
"Obviously he had his reasons to leave, but it would have been good to work under him.
"But Brad (Arthur) seems like a good bloke with a good coaching record. He's pretty switched on and seems like just the person to lead the club in this rebuilding phase. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."
Arthur is looking forward to playing Norman where Stuart wanted him -- in the halves.
"I've had a brief chat with Corey. He came down to play five-eighth and that's where I want to play him," Arthur said. "He's got a great running game and we want a bit of structure around him to allow him to do that."
Norman also possesses a strong kicking game that Stuart rated the closest he had seen to Darren Lockyer's.
"The luxury with Corey is that left-foot kick, allowing him to torment the left-hand side," Arthur said. "If you've got a right-footed kicker on the other side, it makes it hard even for the good fullbacks in our game.
"It allows you a bit more action up your sleeve."
Arthur may be firm on his No 6, but he is not guaranteeing Chris Sandow will be the No 7.
"We haven't even passed the footy among ourselves yet so it's hard to say what the best combination will be."
Norman shook hands with Sandow on Thursday -- their first meeting. He doesn't mind who he partners in the halves, he just wants to be there.
"The halves is where I like playing the most," Norman said.
