Sea Eagles: Star reveals why he is leaving at end of the season
SEA Eagles forward Shaun Lane has spoken for the first time about his surprise signing with Parramatta for 2019, vowing not to let down his Manly teammates for the rest of the season.
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SEA Eagles forward Shaun Lane has spoken for the first time about his surprise signing with Parramatta for 2019, vowing not to let down his Manly teammates for the rest of the season.
And the 23-year-old, one of the club’s most consistent performers this year, said it had been a tough decision to leave.
“Baz (coach Trent Barrett) told me he wanted me to stay and he had plans for me in the future,” Lane said. “It’s a shame we couldn’t come to something but it’s all good, no hard feelings.
“I sat down and really thought about it hard. I came to the decision that I felt was best for me and my career.”
Asked about the factors that prompted his switch to the Eels, Lane said: “There seems to be a bit of an opportunity there for me and the money obviously helps.
“I’m glad I got it over and done with and now I can concentrate on footy again.
“I’ve just got to finish the year off strong for the lads.”
Lane’s next assignment is tomorrow’s clash with the Roosters at Lottoland — a game he won’t have any trouble getting himself up for. “I’m still contracted here and I have plenty of mates here,” Lane said. “I don’t want to let them down.
“It’s my job and I’m not one to just slacken off for the rest of the season, just because my future’s sorted.”
In two years at Manly Lane resurrected his career after an unhappy stint with the Warriors and he agreed he had become a better player in his time at Narrabeen.
“I came into the pre-season just looking to give everything — knowing I was off contract it was even more important,” he said. “I think I have done myself pretty proud this year.”
But 2018 has been a difficult season for the team. “There have been plenty of ups and downs around here and plenty of dramas in the media,” Lane said.
“It hasn’t been ideal for us and I guess you could say those types of dramas have translated onto the field a little bit.
“And that’s unfortunate because I really thought we could have made a dent in this year’s competition.”