New Eels winger Blake Ferguson is already boosting the confidence of his teammates
Although most Eels fans are eagerly anticipating seeing Blake Ferguson in the blue and gold, none are more excited for the winger’s regular season club debut than his own teammates.
After one of the most tumultuous off-seasons in the NRL’s history, the attention of the rugby league community finally turns to the field as the 2019 season gets underway this week.
For the Parramatta playing group, their opening game against Penrith on Sunday will be a perfect opportunity to show that they’re not the same team that claimed the club’s 14th wooden spoon last year.
At the core of their new identity is the Eels’ new-look backline — spearheaded by off-season recruit Blake Ferguson.
Arguably the form winger of the competition for the Sydney Roosters last year, Ferguson’s presence during the pre-season has already boosted the confidence of his teammates.
None more so than centre partner and longtime friend Brad Takairangi.
“Being back in the centres I’m going to have Fergy there with me now so hopefully we can build a really good combination there out on the right edge and play some good footy,” Takairangi said.
“He’s a good mate of mine. We went to the same school growing up so its good to have someone familiar outside me.
“We’ve done a lot of training together now and we’re just looking forward to playing round one.”
For Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses, having Ferguson in the blue and gold is a mouth-watering prospect.
“It’s a good sight seeing him come out of the backfield,” Moses said.
“We were probably lacking that last year and he’s only going to be better for our outside backs. He’s probably going to help them as much as they’re going to help him.
“He’s going to take a lot of pressure off our forwards and hopefully he has a good year for us.”
There will be no better test for Parramatta than the fearsome Penrith side that will welcome them to Panthers Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s always a good local derby,” forward Daniel Alvaro said.
“It’s a good team to play against first up and see where we’re at.”
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