shadowboxer
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takne from ozleague.com.au
Sharks centre Nigel Vagana has been the target of some competitive ribbing and mind games from his former Bulldogs team mates this week as he prepares to take on his old club for the first time since he headed to the Sutherland Shire.
Willie Mason, in particular, rang Vagana to say that he was going to "run rings" around him.
"I got a call from (Willie) Mason yesterday and told me he was going to run through me and score five tries," said Vagana. "I'll be looking forward to that."
Vagana was at the Warriors before he made his name as a try-scoring machine with the Bulldogs but he hasn't yet fired at Cronulla, although he hopes that will change against his old club.
"When I was at the Bulldogs they were asking me the same thing whenever we played the Warriors so I'm sort of used to it," Vagana said. "But I think everyone realises it's part and parcel of what we do.
"I did start the season with an injury and it's still something that most players have to go through in their careers. I'm working through it and getting better but I'm still not where I want to be or where I think I should be at this stage."
The Sharks have collected two successive wins and have shown that they can win without the likes of injured stars, Brett Kimmorley and David Peachey.
"I think at the club they've relied on those two over the last couple of years," Vagana said. "Usually when they don't play Cronulla don't play, so it's been a good change for the fans that there are some other half decent players running around at the Sharks.
But the Bulldogs will provide a stiffer test for the Sharks and will give them a genuine indication as to whether they can be serious contenders at the end of the year.
"They are one of the form teams at the moment and they are always there at the end of September playing the big games," Vagana said. "If we want to be there we want to aim up this week. But it's been a funny year for the NRL this year. Souths smashed last year's premiers just last weekend, hopefully we can give the Dogs a run and get a win on the weekend."
Sharks centre Nigel Vagana has been the target of some competitive ribbing and mind games from his former Bulldogs team mates this week as he prepares to take on his old club for the first time since he headed to the Sutherland Shire.
Willie Mason, in particular, rang Vagana to say that he was going to "run rings" around him.
"I got a call from (Willie) Mason yesterday and told me he was going to run through me and score five tries," said Vagana. "I'll be looking forward to that."
Vagana was at the Warriors before he made his name as a try-scoring machine with the Bulldogs but he hasn't yet fired at Cronulla, although he hopes that will change against his old club.
"When I was at the Bulldogs they were asking me the same thing whenever we played the Warriors so I'm sort of used to it," Vagana said. "But I think everyone realises it's part and parcel of what we do.
"I did start the season with an injury and it's still something that most players have to go through in their careers. I'm working through it and getting better but I'm still not where I want to be or where I think I should be at this stage."
The Sharks have collected two successive wins and have shown that they can win without the likes of injured stars, Brett Kimmorley and David Peachey.
"I think at the club they've relied on those two over the last couple of years," Vagana said. "Usually when they don't play Cronulla don't play, so it's been a good change for the fans that there are some other half decent players running around at the Sharks.
But the Bulldogs will provide a stiffer test for the Sharks and will give them a genuine indication as to whether they can be serious contenders at the end of the year.
"They are one of the form teams at the moment and they are always there at the end of September playing the big games," Vagana said. "If we want to be there we want to aim up this week. But it's been a funny year for the NRL this year. Souths smashed last year's premiers just last weekend, hopefully we can give the Dogs a run and get a win on the weekend."
