Manly Daily Zorba 10Nov07 FOR a player under enormous pressure Matt Ballin remains calm and collected as he makes a bid to fill the big boots of playmaker Michael Monaghan in the Sea Eagles pack for the 2008 NRL premiership. The 23-year-old can't wait for official training to start on Monday after a brief holiday in Thailand with his wife Shannon. ``I'm ready to get started for the most important season of my career so far,'' said the former Kingaroy Red Ants junior. Ballin has been the standout lower-grade player at the Sea Eagles for the past few seasons as he has patiently waited for his crack at the top grade. He impressed with a man-of-the-match performance in his first grade debut against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval. Ballin knows he is in for a real challenge for the number nine from ex-Roosters hooker Heath L'Estrange, who finished the season strongly with Brad Fittler's side. L'Estrange will join his new teammates at Monday's first official training session.
He's been ready for two years. There are only 480,001 reasons why he hasn't played 50 NRL games by now.
