TOYOTA CUP NEWS
GROW UP QUICKLY...When Parramatta's Toyota Cup coaching staff realised halfway through the year that their side wasn't finals material, they dropped their 20 year olds and introduced seven SG Ball players to speed up their development. The result? Just a three-win season - but a glut of prodigies ready to step up this year. "A lot of people make a big point of winning and losing the -20s comp," Cameron says. "Yes, you'd like to win games but realistically the -20s comp for us is a vehicle to work out who could play NRL and who can't. We're just really focused on identifying good kids in our junior teams and accelerating them."
LIVING THE DREAM...Cameron nominated exciting young prop Toby Key as one player to watch. Key has just signed a two-year contract with the club and has jsut made the transition from Moree to Sydney. "He has really flourished over the pre-season and it's been really exciting for him, living in Sydney," Cameron says. "He's living the dream at the moment and has been a wonderful acquisition for the club."
A NEW BARBA...Just when we started becoming accustomed to the energetic exploits of Ben Barba at the Bulldogs, 20-year-old brother Marmin has moved across from Bankstown and will start in the No. 1 jersey for the Eels this year. Just like his brother, Barba will start playing at fullback before a likely career in the halves.
CAMERON GETS CAMERON...Another key recruit for the Eels this year is talented halfback Cameron Bruest, who transferred from Canberra in search of an opportunity, He'll link in the halves with local product Jason Wehbe, the smiling goalkicker who was another SG Ball player to move up in the middle of the year. "[Cameron] was stuck behind Sam Williams at the Raiders, and he'll probably get first crack at [No.] 7," coach Cameron says. "He's had a really good pre-season and done a bit with the NRL {Ed F20; Squad I presume??}. I'm looking forward to watching him go."
HE NO LOKO...We're counting the amount of games young gun Jacob Loko will play in Toyota Cup before getting a call-up to first grade. With little depth in first grade at the centre position, don't be surprised if first grade mentor Stephen Kearney decides to give the kid a go. "We don't want to rush hin, but you're right, it's a question of when, not if he plays first grade," Cameron says. "He's a good kid and he's trained really well all pre-season. I'm looking forward to him flourishing."
Lock Rory Brien will captain the squad.
Big League NRL Season Preview Pg 61
