Eels snare Humble
James Silver
Thursday, August 27, 2009
© The Cairns Post
Northern Pride star Tom Humble has given up the dream of starting his NRL career with North Queensland after signing with the Parramatta Eels.
Humble was desperate to stay in his home state but started negotiating with rival clubs because the Cowboys
initially showed no interest in the Queensland Cup revelation.
Humble’s decision to sign a two-year deal was made even tougher because his preferred position is fullback and he has no chance of securing the Eels’ No.1 jersey ahead of Jarryd Hayne.
Humble has forgone a likely starting position at fullback with the Cowboys or Wests Tigers to join the Eels.
He said he had wanted to remain loyal to the Eels, who have courted him for a large part of the season.
"Most people would say I’m a bit silly not taking them (other offers) but I think Parramatta will treat me more as a half," Humble said last night.
"Obviously, Jarryd Hayne is the best fullback in the world at the moment but as I said to the Cowboys, if I got a call from the Cowboys three months ago I would have signed on the dotted line the next day.
"I love North Queensland and I was on their doorstep for four years."
Humble in demand
Humble played in the Cowboys under-20 side last year and trained with them in the off-season before moving to Cairns to join the Pride.
"I played 20s last year and didn’t play too bad, then I did a pre-season for free there before Christmas,’’ he said.
"Not that I wanted to get paid but I lived off savings and spent every cent I had and was willing to do it but I came up here (to Cairns) and didn’t hear a word and I was a little bit disappointed.
"I would have loved to have ended up in Townsville and if I ended up there in a year or two, I would not be disappointed. I love the place and I love North Queensland."
The Blackwater product has been one of the Queensland Cup’s best players this season and will partner former NRL player Chris Sheppard in the halves in Saturday’s semi-final at Barlow Park against Norths Devils.
Humble said the decision had weighed on his mind for months.
"Sydney is a big change,’’ he said. "I have never lived in a place like that, it took me a month or so to get positive about moving to Sydney and I finally got my head around it and got a phone call from the Cowboys.
"I left Townsville hoping to go back there but it was a little too late.’’
The Cowboys made their bid for Humble after Matt Bowen suffered a knee injury that could sideline him until July.
Cowboys boss Peter Parr said he understood why Humble had joined the Eels.
"I know that the coaching staff only made the decision late that we should talk to Tom so we understand we were behind the eight-ball,’’ he said.
"He was down the track with Parramatta but we believe we could have provided a better opportunity here, particularly with Matt but we understand the circumstances around it and we wish him the best.’’
Pride coach Andrew Dunemann said the Eels were rewarded for showing early interest in the 20-year-old.
"
I think they were one of the first ones to show genuine interest in him. He did testing there and got the best results in a couple of areas for the whole club so that shows they are getting a pretty good player,’’ Dunemann said.
He said it was important Humble pushed his case for an NRL starting spot with a strong Queensland Cup finals campaign.
Source -
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/08/27/60651_local-sport-news.html
