Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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HE’s been dubbed the “British Billy Slater” but Greg Eden admits the time has come for him to perform or perish at the Broncos.
Eden returned to Australia on Tuesday after a six-week sabbatical in England during which he visited family and reflected on a character-building debut season at Red Hill.
The speedy utility back arrived at the Broncos a year ago with high hopes of emulating generations of British imports by firing in the NRL at Queensland’s glamour club.
Instead, Eden wasn’t seen in the NRL last season as Brisbane’s signing of Origin star Darius Boyd forced the fullback or winger to serve his apprenticeship at feeder club Wynnum Manly.
The British Bronco was outstanding in the Intrust Super Cup, scoring 17 tries in 22 games for the Seagulls. But with his Broncos contract expiring in 2016, Eden is determined to prove to Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett he can also be an attacking force in the NRL.
“I’m not sure whether I will end up going home or not but, all in all, it’s a make-or-break year,” said Eden, who celebrated his 25th birthday last Saturday.
“This year will really determine where my career goes at the Broncos.
“The reason I came to Australia in the first place was to crack the NRL and hopefully that happens this year.
“The NRL is still the dream for me ... or I wouldn’t be here.”
Eden has yet to break his NRL duck but he is physically superior to the pasty-skinned Pom who first lobbed in Brisbane 12 months ago.
At his first ever training session, Eden finished last in sprints behind front-rowers as he gasped on humid Brisbane air his British body could not handle.
But the past year has strengthened the Castleford junior and given him an insight into the professionalism required to succeed in the big league.
“In everyday life I have loved my time here, it’s nice to be back,” he said.
“Throughout the season I got used to the heat, I started to acclimatise.
“I learnt about the intensity more than anything. A lot of players here take (rugby league) more seriously, everyone is more switched on at training sessions and there is a lot more competition for places.
“Fullback is my preferred position but Darius Boyd is there so I’m happy to play anywhere in the backline.
“If there is somewhere Wayne (Bennett) feels he might need me, I’m happy to learn that trade. I’ve played a fair bit of wing at Wynnum so that’s another position up my sleeve.”
Eden says he doesn’t feel pressure to live up to British-inspired comparisons with Slater, the Storm, Maroons and Test superstar.
“I was getting called that over there and the tag came with me when I came to Australia,” Eden said.
“I just play my game as it is and if people want to compare me to Billy, that’s great, but if not, all good. I’m not trying to mimic anyone else, I’m just trying to do the best I can in Australia and hopefully play NRL.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...brisbane-broncos/story-fnp0lyn6-1227614198945
Eden returned to Australia on Tuesday after a six-week sabbatical in England during which he visited family and reflected on a character-building debut season at Red Hill.
The speedy utility back arrived at the Broncos a year ago with high hopes of emulating generations of British imports by firing in the NRL at Queensland’s glamour club.
Instead, Eden wasn’t seen in the NRL last season as Brisbane’s signing of Origin star Darius Boyd forced the fullback or winger to serve his apprenticeship at feeder club Wynnum Manly.
The British Bronco was outstanding in the Intrust Super Cup, scoring 17 tries in 22 games for the Seagulls. But with his Broncos contract expiring in 2016, Eden is determined to prove to Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett he can also be an attacking force in the NRL.
“I’m not sure whether I will end up going home or not but, all in all, it’s a make-or-break year,” said Eden, who celebrated his 25th birthday last Saturday.
“This year will really determine where my career goes at the Broncos.
“The reason I came to Australia in the first place was to crack the NRL and hopefully that happens this year.
“The NRL is still the dream for me ... or I wouldn’t be here.”
Eden has yet to break his NRL duck but he is physically superior to the pasty-skinned Pom who first lobbed in Brisbane 12 months ago.
At his first ever training session, Eden finished last in sprints behind front-rowers as he gasped on humid Brisbane air his British body could not handle.
But the past year has strengthened the Castleford junior and given him an insight into the professionalism required to succeed in the big league.
“In everyday life I have loved my time here, it’s nice to be back,” he said.
“Throughout the season I got used to the heat, I started to acclimatise.
“I learnt about the intensity more than anything. A lot of players here take (rugby league) more seriously, everyone is more switched on at training sessions and there is a lot more competition for places.
“Fullback is my preferred position but Darius Boyd is there so I’m happy to play anywhere in the backline.
“If there is somewhere Wayne (Bennett) feels he might need me, I’m happy to learn that trade. I’ve played a fair bit of wing at Wynnum so that’s another position up my sleeve.”
Eden says he doesn’t feel pressure to live up to British-inspired comparisons with Slater, the Storm, Maroons and Test superstar.
“I was getting called that over there and the tag came with me when I came to Australia,” Eden said.
“I just play my game as it is and if people want to compare me to Billy, that’s great, but if not, all good. I’m not trying to mimic anyone else, I’m just trying to do the best I can in Australia and hopefully play NRL.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...brisbane-broncos/story-fnp0lyn6-1227614198945
