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Peachey given free rein
10 March 2004
Be afraid rival National Rugby League clubs, be very afraid.
Sharks attacking spearhead David Peachey has been granted permission to cut loose under new coach Stuart Raper for the 2004 National Rugby League season.
The dangerous runner has been hardly quiet since his debut 10 years ago, posing constant headaches for opposition coaches.
But Peachey today said new mentor Raper had green-lighted a return to his "old attacking ways" in 2004 after being stifled under ex-coach Chris Anderson's flat style.
Speaking at the launch for Saturday's NRL season opener against Wests Tigers at Telstra Stadium, Peachey said his new brief under Raper, who replaced Anderson in the off-season, was simple - and ominous for his foes.
"He wants me to be dangerous and entertaining and I'm really looking forward to that," Peachey said.
"Stuey wants me to go out and play the football which I've been looking forward to, that's no disrespect to Chris.
"Chris had a totally different game plan and I don't feel as though as I was as entertaining as in the past.
"Hopefully this year there'll be a lot of tries, a lot of breaks in play and all that stuff that I enjoy doing - that backyard footy style is what I'm really looking forward to."
Peachey said he was also keen to make amends for the disappointment of 2003 when the Cronulla outfit finished fourth last with an 8-16 record, sounding the death knell to Anderson's tenure.
To make matters worse, weeks of speculation ended with a messy sacking of Anderson who is taking action over his dismissal in a $1.3 million lawsuit.
"Chris Anderson came in and did a good job in the first year but 2003 was a disappointing year all round for the Sharks," Peachey said.
"But with Stuey Raper back in the fold, he's a local boy, played a little bit for the Sharks, I think that's a good thing (because) we did lose a lot of fans last year through the whole Chris Anderson saga.
"Hopefully the fans and supporters get back on board and we as players just go out and repay them for what was a disappointing year last year."
Raper's arrival also marked a reunion of sorts for Peachey - he played under Raper in the Sharks under 21s in the early 1990s.
Not that Raper is playing favourites.
"Stuey has told everyone that no spot is guaranteed, he's basically said to me that being a senior player you are still not guaranteed (a place)," he said.
"It's a pressurised season for a lot of us and we've basically got to go out and perform."
At 30, Peachey has become part of the furniture at the Sharks, playing 189 games since his 1994 debut, but ruled out a return to the Sharks captaincy.
"(Current skipper) Brett (Kimmorley)'s just signed a five year deal so he's going to be here for a while whereas I'm off contract next year," he said.
"(But) At the club I do have a leadership role within the club, although Brett does have the 'c' against his name they still do look to me as a leader within the side."
10 March 2004
Be afraid rival National Rugby League clubs, be very afraid.
Sharks attacking spearhead David Peachey has been granted permission to cut loose under new coach Stuart Raper for the 2004 National Rugby League season.
The dangerous runner has been hardly quiet since his debut 10 years ago, posing constant headaches for opposition coaches.
But Peachey today said new mentor Raper had green-lighted a return to his "old attacking ways" in 2004 after being stifled under ex-coach Chris Anderson's flat style.
Speaking at the launch for Saturday's NRL season opener against Wests Tigers at Telstra Stadium, Peachey said his new brief under Raper, who replaced Anderson in the off-season, was simple - and ominous for his foes.
"He wants me to be dangerous and entertaining and I'm really looking forward to that," Peachey said.
"Stuey wants me to go out and play the football which I've been looking forward to, that's no disrespect to Chris.
"Chris had a totally different game plan and I don't feel as though as I was as entertaining as in the past.
"Hopefully this year there'll be a lot of tries, a lot of breaks in play and all that stuff that I enjoy doing - that backyard footy style is what I'm really looking forward to."
Peachey said he was also keen to make amends for the disappointment of 2003 when the Cronulla outfit finished fourth last with an 8-16 record, sounding the death knell to Anderson's tenure.
To make matters worse, weeks of speculation ended with a messy sacking of Anderson who is taking action over his dismissal in a $1.3 million lawsuit.
"Chris Anderson came in and did a good job in the first year but 2003 was a disappointing year all round for the Sharks," Peachey said.
"But with Stuey Raper back in the fold, he's a local boy, played a little bit for the Sharks, I think that's a good thing (because) we did lose a lot of fans last year through the whole Chris Anderson saga.
"Hopefully the fans and supporters get back on board and we as players just go out and repay them for what was a disappointing year last year."
Raper's arrival also marked a reunion of sorts for Peachey - he played under Raper in the Sharks under 21s in the early 1990s.
Not that Raper is playing favourites.
"Stuey has told everyone that no spot is guaranteed, he's basically said to me that being a senior player you are still not guaranteed (a place)," he said.
"It's a pressurised season for a lot of us and we've basically got to go out and perform."
At 30, Peachey has become part of the furniture at the Sharks, playing 189 games since his 1994 debut, but ruled out a return to the Sharks captaincy.
"(Current skipper) Brett (Kimmorley)'s just signed a five year deal so he's going to be here for a while whereas I'm off contract next year," he said.
"(But) At the club I do have a leadership role within the club, although Brett does have the 'c' against his name they still do look to me as a leader within the side."
