De Gois denies early Eels exit
Veteran Eels hooker Isaac De Gois has quashed speculation he is looking to leave Parramatta mid-season.
Beginning the year in the Intrust Super Premiership for Wentworthville, De Gois has played the past fortnight in the NRL with Nathan Peats sidelined with an elbow injury.
Off-contract at season's end, De Gois said time spent in the NRL will give him plenty of exposure to secure his future for 2017 and beyond.
"You can't believe everything you read these days," De Gois said of speculation he was considering a mid-season move.
"Of course I want to keep playing on and obviously playing NRL you get more exposure to not only Parramatta but whatever else is out there. Hopefully I can stay up here [in the NRL] for a long time yet."
Bar the injured Anthony Watmough, De Gois is currently the most experienced player in the Eels squad.
However, with the arrival of fellow hooker Cameron King from the Cowboys as well as the presence of Peats and Kaysa Pritchard at the club De Gois found himself down the pecking order.
After some initial disappointment the 31-year-old is now taking it his stride.
"I've realised it's a long season and I had to keep with the right attitude and keep playing and training well. It was a little bit disappointing but it's a long season so we'll see where I end up," De Gois said.
"Joey Grima, Wenty's coach, is a great fella and even when I'm playing reserve grade. I'm still training full-time with all the boys so it's not like we're separated.
"These tough decisions needed to be made and it is what it is. There's no point sulking about it I just had to move on. "
De Gois said his time back in the NRL has been made easier by the presence of star signing Kieran Foran.
"It's been pretty easy to slot in with Kieran. It takes a while to get the combinations sorted but he's a great leader and great communicator," De Gois said.
"He's exactly what you want from your halfback. All the boys find it pretty easy to play with him because he's just so outstanding."
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