Parramatta Eels centre Ryan Morgan could be NRL's strictest disciplinarian with his training regime
By Josh Massoud The Daily Telegraph January 01, 2013 9:00AM
Focused ... Ryan Morgan's success is thanks to his drive. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited
For most, New Year's Day is about making personal vows to keep fit, drink less, lose weight or eat better.
But new year's dawn brings no such promises from Ryan Morgan, who has been a model of resolution for the past five years.
As a 22-year-old who barely drinks, weighs his food and monitors sleep levels, the Eels centre might just be rugby league's strictest disciplinarian. Morgan hasn't eaten junk food since 2011 and will only consume alcohol as a reward for achieving his goals.
Not gifted with an imposing frame or lightning speed, the Terrigal product accepted his lot as a teenager and set about doing everything possible off the field to reach NRL level.
Morgan has now made 33 first grade appearances, entrenching himself in Parramatta's three quarter line at the expense of the injury-riddled Willie Tonga.
Being cut from SG Ball squads was the spur for Morgan to turn his back on the vices most of his school mates were beginning to discover.
"I pretty much have golden goals that I set and I won't have a drink until I've achieved them," he said.
"It helps me focus on what I want to achieve; whether it be getting to a certain weight or running faster.
"My dad (Scott) sat me down one day after I missed out on SG Ball selection and was really disappointed.
"He told me that if football was what I really wanted to do, I had to focus on goals.
"So from the time I was 17 I've approached it this way.
"I might only have three or four nights out at the end of the season, and then a couple during the year.
"If I do it, I recognise I'll have a drink and treat it as a reward. Then I'll go without for a couple of months.
"I'm lucky I can go out without needing to drink.
"A lot of people would stand around in the corner, but I get amongst it with a smile on my face."
On top of his Eels training program, Morgan observes a fastidious regimen more commonly associated with battered 30-somethings trying to prolong their careers.
The family pool is primarily used for recovery exercises rather than backyard parties.
And instead of flopping in front of the TV, Morgan is more likely to use the loungeroom as a stretching zone for half an hour each day.
Desperate to bulk up from 90kg to 95kg over the summer, he also measures food portions to ensure there's enough protein in each serve to achieve his weight goal.
"I'm pretty strict on my diet," he said.
"It's one of the few things you can control in footy, especially when things aren't going your way on the field.
"I'm not big on cheat days, and I've probably not eaten takeaway food for 18 months.
"I always pick out the best cuts of meat as well, but that's just me. If I don't have to cheat, then why would I?"
Morgan's philosophy came home to roost early last year, when he was dropped back to NSW Cup after a series of poor defensive showings.
After a few months in purgatory he came back a renewed player and his professionalism has impressed coach Ricky Stuart in the first block of pre-season training.
"I had to take it the right way and not have a dummy spit," Morgan said.
"I really used my time at Wentworthville to try to be more vocal. To not just ride along.
"I relished that and when I got back to first grade my defence was right."
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