Parramatta look for marathon men in 2005
November 15, 2004 - 4:04PM
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This time last year Parramatta coach Brian Smith wanted mountain men, but this year he wants marathon men.
The Eels have kicked off pre-season training and new signing Glenn Morrison said Smith had approached both him and probable second row partner Nathan Hindmarsh about playing the full 80 minutes as often as possible in 2005.
While Test representative Hindmarsh is known for his endurance ability, the possibility of both Parramatta's back rowers going the full distance every week is an intriguing one for a club whose forwards were often criticised last season for being soft.
Although stressing such a plan is conditional on his fitness levels during the season, Morrison said the options presented to Smith by him and Hindmarsh playing a full game all the time were exciting.
"It gives (Smith) a lot of choices, where he can have an extra front rower on the bench or change the bench around," Morrison said.
He said he played much of the game every week last season for North Queensland, where he was one of the most instrumental players in their unlikely charge to the preliminary final.
"I was probably playing about 60-70 minutes, just having five minutes break each half because that's what the Cowboys wanted, but usually it's the first 20 minutes," Morrison said.
"If you can push through that you can (usually) keep going."
Prior to last season, Smith made a bid to dramatically increase the bulk in the Eels forward pack, signing players such as Corey Pearson and Aaron Cannings and promoting players such as Justin Tsoulos to first grade.
But with Parramatta missing the finals for the second straight season, changes were again called for.
So out went Pearson and Craig Stapleton, among others, and into the forwards come Morrison, former Dragons hooker Mark Riddell, ex-Souths prop Paul Stringer and former Roosters utility Chad Robinson.
This is on top of former representative backs Timana Tahu and PJ Marsh joining the club, and Smith believes he has found the right balance.
"This is the most experienced group of players that I've ever been able to recruit," Smith said.
"We've retained the size that I felt we were a little down on prior to last season, so we'd like to think we have a bigger team, but a more experienced and more confident team going into the new year."
Meanwhile, Morrison said a good start to the new season was crucial for the Eels, saying that could generate Cowboys-style momentum for the club.
"If we can get that enthusiasm going here, get the team wanting to work together and when the going gets tough do that little bit extra for each other, you're going to win more games than you lose," Morrison said.
"I think there's a lot of talent here and just the thing is getting everyone bonding and on the same page."
Parramatta kick off their season in March in round one with an away match against Wests Tigers.
