Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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JAMES Roberts insists he is ready for a NSW call-up and has urged Broncos teammates to feed him more ball to help him make an Origin statement.
Broncos speed machine Roberts has one final chance to impress Blues coach Laurie Daley in Friday night’s Queensland derby against the Cowboys in Townsville.
To win over NSW hierarchy, Roberts needs time, space and quality ball to reproduce the sizzling display he turned on against the premiers in Round 4.
Despite being Brisbane’s fastest player, Roberts has been starved of possession at times this season. “The Jet’’ has suffered a 15 per cent decrease in running metres and a 10 per cent drop in average runs compared to his superb campaign at the Titans which saw him crowned Dally M Centre of the Year last season.
Anthony Milford’s brilliance has meant Brisbane have mainly attacked down centre partner Jack Reed’s left corridor but Roberts is itching to terrorise the Cowboys on his right edge.
“It would be nice to see more ball,” said Roberts, who has only three tries from 10 games this year, well shy of his 16 from 24 last season.
“When I first came here, I tried to fit into the side and just focus on getting my defence right.
“Now I’ve slowly worked my way into the side, I’m trying to get more involved and hopefully I get more ball against the Cowboys.
“It will still take me a while to produce my best but I’m enjoying being here and we’re winning which makes my football enjoyable.’'
Roberts produced his best performance of the season against North Queensland in Brisbane’s epic 21-20 win in March.
He amassed a season-best 184m with three linebreaks and his first try as a Bronco in the golden-point win.
It was the type of display that proved Roberts is Origin quality and he hopes a demolition of the Cowboys will clinch him a maiden NSW jumper for the series opener on June 1.
“It’s a massive achievement to play Origin and it is definitely my goal,” Roberts said.
“I haven’t given up hope just yet. I can always get better each week.
“I’m not sure what my Origin hopes are at the moment. I’ll have to wait and see but there’s plenty of good players in NSW. I’d love to be there this year but it’s up to Laurie and the selectors.
“I made a couple of nice breaks the last time we played the Cowboys but they will be onto me and they will be wary this time.
“Kane Linnett (Cowboys centre rival) is a big guy who defends well so it will be a lot harder for me to bust the line.’’
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
Broncos speed machine Roberts has one final chance to impress Blues coach Laurie Daley in Friday night’s Queensland derby against the Cowboys in Townsville.
To win over NSW hierarchy, Roberts needs time, space and quality ball to reproduce the sizzling display he turned on against the premiers in Round 4.
Despite being Brisbane’s fastest player, Roberts has been starved of possession at times this season. “The Jet’’ has suffered a 15 per cent decrease in running metres and a 10 per cent drop in average runs compared to his superb campaign at the Titans which saw him crowned Dally M Centre of the Year last season.
Anthony Milford’s brilliance has meant Brisbane have mainly attacked down centre partner Jack Reed’s left corridor but Roberts is itching to terrorise the Cowboys on his right edge.
“It would be nice to see more ball,” said Roberts, who has only three tries from 10 games this year, well shy of his 16 from 24 last season.
“When I first came here, I tried to fit into the side and just focus on getting my defence right.
“Now I’ve slowly worked my way into the side, I’m trying to get more involved and hopefully I get more ball against the Cowboys.
“It will still take me a while to produce my best but I’m enjoying being here and we’re winning which makes my football enjoyable.’'
Roberts produced his best performance of the season against North Queensland in Brisbane’s epic 21-20 win in March.
He amassed a season-best 184m with three linebreaks and his first try as a Bronco in the golden-point win.
It was the type of display that proved Roberts is Origin quality and he hopes a demolition of the Cowboys will clinch him a maiden NSW jumper for the series opener on June 1.
“It’s a massive achievement to play Origin and it is definitely my goal,” Roberts said.
“I haven’t given up hope just yet. I can always get better each week.
“I’m not sure what my Origin hopes are at the moment. I’ll have to wait and see but there’s plenty of good players in NSW. I’d love to be there this year but it’s up to Laurie and the selectors.
“I made a couple of nice breaks the last time we played the Cowboys but they will be onto me and they will be wary this time.
“Kane Linnett (Cowboys centre rival) is a big guy who defends well so it will be a lot harder for me to bust the line.’’
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
