Adam Elliott backs young Bulldogs Jake Averillo and Renouf To’omaga to have breakout 2020 seasons
One is a fearless speedster, the other a forward with a nose for the line, and the pre-season performances of both young pups have Bulldogs workhorse Adam Elliott singing their praises.
NRL
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Bulldogs forward Adam Elliott has tipped a posse of young pups to lock down positions in the club’s NRL side this year.
During what has been a gruelling pre-season for Canterbury, Elliott has been blown away by the energy and natural skill of 19-year-old outside back Jake Averillo.
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“He’s run a muck in the training sessions, he’s obviously been in the reserve grade side for us, he’s a young centre coming through great footwork really strong,” Elliott said.
The Bulldogs junior stormed through SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and the Canterbury Cup, and Elliott believes that it’s a matter of time before Averillo is playing full time with the big boys.
“He’s one of those really aggressive competitive kids, he doesn’t let anyone get it over him at training, from my experience those sort of kids they definitely make it and I think Jakey’s going to have a really good season” Elliott said.
With injury-prone Kieran Foran still recovering from shoulder surgery, it’s highly likely that either Brandon Wakeham or Jack Cogger will partner up with Lachlan Lewis in the halves this season.
Both young playmakers are expected to audition for the spot this weekend at the NRL Nines tournament in Perth.
“At the moment, there’s really healthy competition, they’re both subbing in and out for each other at training at the moment,” Elliott said.
“Both are good young enthusiastic kids, they’ll make the most of any opportunities they get, it’ll come down to trial form as to who the coach goes with at the moment.”
Elliott also had big raps for front rower Renouf To’omaga, who has struggled to cement his position in first grade due to a foot injury last year.
“He’s certainly someone who will play a lot of first grade this year, he’s already played a few games,” Elliott said.
“He’s played a lot of reserve grade the last few years, and he’s a superstar down there, he plays in the middle but scores 10-15 tries each season and he’s had a really good pre-season under his belt this year.”
Dean Pay has shifted his backline this summer, with the club’s leading try-score from last season Reimis Smith switching from the wing to centre.
Elliott admitted that his side will have to get used to playing without Smith tearing down the edge.
“It might be a little adjustment for us to get used to, Reimis is always the first person you look for to take a carry out of our yardage, he’s renowned for a quick play the ball and makes good metres up the middle of the field for us,” Elliott said.
“Now he’s in the centre he might have to hold a bit more shape and take a few less carries. But I think that it’d be silly for us to try and tell him to stay in the one spot.”
Elliott said that the Dogs are quietly confident this year after their brave finish to the 2019 season.
The second-rower picked up a small ankle injury last week that ruled him out of the NRL’s Indigenous v All Stars match on February 22, he is expects to be ready to rumble for round 1.
“I think our try line defence and scramble defence is something that we’re building our game off and I think that’s something to take into 2020,” Elliott said.
“We finished in the bottom 8 last year, but went on a run and beat top four tides in the last 10 games. If you’re on your day and someone’s slightly off, it’s anyone’s game.”
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