Jeff Robson finally has a bright future in NRL
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 11 Oct 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- daniel anderson, jeff robson, NRL, Parramatta Eels, Rugby League
2009 NRL runners up Parramatta Eels face a stiff challenge to retain some of their star players. But unsung hero Jeff Robson has been offered a deserved two year contract extension which will see him remain with the blue and golds until the end of 2011.
It is terrific news for a player that several months ago was odds on to look elsewhere for another NRL contract.
Having previously played with the Manly Sea Eagles, Parramatta threw a big, albeit risky, lifeline to Robson, after the Eels managed to offload former Origin halfback Brett Finch to eventual Premiers the Melbourne Storm.
It was a move that did not reap any dividends whatsoever for Daniel Anderson’s men, as the Eels constantly struggled with the structure in their attacking game.
After some lean results, it appeared that Robson’s days at the Eels were numbered, considering he was dropped early in the season in favour of rookie player Kris Keating.
It would take an unfortunate injury to Keating in round 10 against the Sea Eagles, however, to allow Robson to resume a stop start NRL career that was literally on the ropes.
Much like the Eels 2009 season, Robson was able to peak in the nick of time to see himself evolve from part-time first grader, to one of the NRL’s most organised halfbacks.
The 27 year old found himself becoming an integral part of a Parramatta attack that proved to be unstoppable during the last 12 weeks of the NRL season.
Although he did not showcase as much flair as the likes of Jarryd Hayne or Daniel Mortimer, Robson’s ability to constantly make disciplined choices with his kicking and passing game was one of the prime reasons why the Eels were able to win as many games as they did late in the year.
One of those matches included this season’s preliminary final against the Canterbury Bulldogs, played in front of 75,000 fans at ANZ stadium.
Robson was awarded the man of the match in a career defining performance that not only cast the Eels into the Grand Final, but also put pressure on the blue and gold’s to re-sign a journeyman of the NRL that looks to have found the perfect home in Rugby League heartland.
With Robson’s future in Eels colours secure for another two years, no doubt this will provide some much needed piece of mind for a player that can now start to enjoy his footy.
After some bleak years plying his trade in the working class game, it seems the future is finally looking bright for Jeff Robson.
And if he can now replicate the late season form he showcased this year for the Eels in 2010, then he will have every chance of playing out his career at Parramatta, especially if he finds himself wearing a premiership ring by season’s end.
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Brett McKay said | October 11th 2009 @ 8:55am | Report comment
now Alan, you can start planning for a premiership in 2010. A great signing, and well deserved…
Alan Nicolea said | October 11th 2009 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Brett
yeah, it seems the Eels have finally struck a perfect balance in their team that should allow them to go one better in season 2010. No excuses now though, and the pressure will no doubt be on Daniel Anderson and co. to finally put an end to a 24 year premiership drought.
Chop said | October 12th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Alan,
Do you really think they’ve hit the perfect balance? I wasn’t a fan of them re-signing Tahu, especially if it means Inu or Grothe Jnr are going to be punted as a result which has been rumoured in the papers.
The Eels are going to miss Kevin Kingston next year, I hope Kris Keating is able to fill that role, but with him wanting play 7 I don’t know if that will work either.
Anderson will be under the pump from round 1 next year, the first two games are St George and Manly….
Alan Nicolea said | October 12th 2009 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
Chop
Indeed i too was not in favour of Tahu’s signing. In terms of the perfect balance, i would see Reddy and Inu start as the centres with Tahu to bide his time either on the bench or in park footy. Surely he can’t just displace either Reddy or Inu just on past reputation. Eric Grothe would also be a big loss and Luke Burt aswell has been sounded out by the Warriors. Whatever team the Eels put, they will no doubt be expected to go one better than this year, so yeah, the pressure will be on bigtime.