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Zillman's three-try haul will not guarantee his place at fullback
Merryn Sherwood
He might have been the star on Monday night but Raiders fullback William Zillman will still have to work to keep his spot in the No1 jersey this weekend. In just his fifth first grade game for the Raiders on Monday night, Zillman scored a hat-trick against the Andrew Johns-led Knights at Canberra Stadium, sending the crowd into raptures with darting runs and silky skills.
But Raiders Coach Neil Henry said yesterday the performance hadn't necessarily confirmed the fullback spot.
"I'm not sure about cementing it, it has certainly given him some confidence in that position," Henry said.
"But Bronx Goodwin is returning from a broken arm and he'll certainly be very keen to have his crack at the No1 jumper."
Henry named Zillman at fullback again this week as Goodwin makes his return in the premier league and admitted if the Zillman performed against the Eels like against the Knights, he would be hard to oust.
"Zilly showed glimpses [on Monday] night he can be a top-line NRL player I think. He's only 20 and he still has a lot to learn but he is a very coachable player, so that was a very positive sign [on Monday] night," he said.
"If he can turn up with performances like that each week we'll love it."
Yesterday Zillman played down his role in the 30-point smashing of the Knights as his team worked on a four-day turnaround to this weekend's match.
"I was pretty lucky [on Monday] night, I'm just really happy with the team performance and to get our first win on the board was great," he said.
"We are all really happy with the way it turned out, we had a good win and it makes it easier for guys like myself playing off the back of some forwards that are really going forward for us, I'm very lucky all the boys played well and just made it easy for me."
Zillman said he was finally settling into his place in the senior side after a season playing mostly in premier league.
"I am definitely feeling more comfortable, I've had a full preseason training with the team so that has helped me feel a bit more comfortable and settle in," Zillman said.
" I'm just happy to be playing first grade to be honest, whether it's fullback or off the bench I don't mind. But I do enjoy playing fullback."
The Monday night romp was mainly due to sensational performances from the Raiders three young guns, Zillman, Todd Carney and Michael Dobson. Captain Alan Tongue said his side was bursting with enthusiasm from the young trio.
"It's very satisfying, we have had a really tough preseason and the young guys, Carney, Dobson and Zillman have tried so hard and been at the front of the pack, for them to play like that, they really deserve it after all the hard work they have put in," Tongue said.
SATURDAY
Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders, Parramatta Stadium, 7.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 3 for digital subscribers, delayed at 9.20pm
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/de... league&story_id=572293&category=Rugby League
Merryn Sherwood
He might have been the star on Monday night but Raiders fullback William Zillman will still have to work to keep his spot in the No1 jersey this weekend. In just his fifth first grade game for the Raiders on Monday night, Zillman scored a hat-trick against the Andrew Johns-led Knights at Canberra Stadium, sending the crowd into raptures with darting runs and silky skills.
But Raiders Coach Neil Henry said yesterday the performance hadn't necessarily confirmed the fullback spot.
"I'm not sure about cementing it, it has certainly given him some confidence in that position," Henry said.
"But Bronx Goodwin is returning from a broken arm and he'll certainly be very keen to have his crack at the No1 jumper."
Henry named Zillman at fullback again this week as Goodwin makes his return in the premier league and admitted if the Zillman performed against the Eels like against the Knights, he would be hard to oust.
"Zilly showed glimpses [on Monday] night he can be a top-line NRL player I think. He's only 20 and he still has a lot to learn but he is a very coachable player, so that was a very positive sign [on Monday] night," he said.
"If he can turn up with performances like that each week we'll love it."
Yesterday Zillman played down his role in the 30-point smashing of the Knights as his team worked on a four-day turnaround to this weekend's match.
"I was pretty lucky [on Monday] night, I'm just really happy with the team performance and to get our first win on the board was great," he said.
"We are all really happy with the way it turned out, we had a good win and it makes it easier for guys like myself playing off the back of some forwards that are really going forward for us, I'm very lucky all the boys played well and just made it easy for me."
Zillman said he was finally settling into his place in the senior side after a season playing mostly in premier league.
"I am definitely feeling more comfortable, I've had a full preseason training with the team so that has helped me feel a bit more comfortable and settle in," Zillman said.
" I'm just happy to be playing first grade to be honest, whether it's fullback or off the bench I don't mind. But I do enjoy playing fullback."
The Monday night romp was mainly due to sensational performances from the Raiders three young guns, Zillman, Todd Carney and Michael Dobson. Captain Alan Tongue said his side was bursting with enthusiasm from the young trio.
"It's very satisfying, we have had a really tough preseason and the young guys, Carney, Dobson and Zillman have tried so hard and been at the front of the pack, for them to play like that, they really deserve it after all the hard work they have put in," Tongue said.
SATURDAY
Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders, Parramatta Stadium, 7.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 3 for digital subscribers, delayed at 9.20pm
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/de... league&story_id=572293&category=Rugby League
