HappilyManly
Journey Man
Hodges right at home at Manly
John Chammas
Monday 6 January 2014 4:00 PM
Sea Eagles recruit Jayden Hodges has conceded the move from Townsville to the big smoke was the most daunting proposition of the decision to leave the Cowboys.
But, since docking into the northern beaches at the end of last season, Hodges has felt right at home despite initial fears of the lifestyle adjustment.
“I’m loving my time here at Manly,” Hodges said. “When I was in Townsville I was a little frightened of the big city life in Sydney😛, but the northern beaches has it’s own little area and I’m really enjoying it.”
The cousin of Broncos centre Justin Hodges has settled in nicely at his new club and says it’s his teammates who have made the stay at Manly a pleasurable one.
“Surprisingly they are all relaxed here. I thought they’d be more intense but they are really laid back and outside footy all the boys are cool,” Hodges said.
Forced to leave his family and close friends in order to pursue his fledgling NRL career, Hodges says the opportunity to play alongside a team filled with international experience was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.
The hooker revealed the coaching staff and talented crop of players at the Sea Eagles were the driving force behind his shift South.
"There were a lot of reasons. More importantly, the word opportunity came up. I made the move down here to work under Matt Ballin and the coaching staff,” Hodges said.
“To get the opportunity to work alongside Andrew Johns, Geoff Toovey, Dave Penna and Steve Georgallis, it was too big of an opportunity to knock back.
“Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran are international halves, one’s played Origin and just the opportunity to work with them will definitely improve my game.”
Having already played a handful of first-grade games last season at the Cowboys, Hodges trusts he is primed for the top grade should he be called upon.
“I’m prepared for that. My experience in the NRL last year was crazy. Coming from the Holden Cup, it’s a whole new game. The professionalism of the players is incredible and everything here has to be so specific.”
Hope Jayden settles in and learns to enjoy life as a Manly Sea Eagle
Bizarrely, the DT have Matty, who still has two years left of his contract, talking of extending for life :huh:
Manly Sea Eagles Matt Ballin wants to be one club man his entire career
JON GEDDES T JANUARY 07, 2014 12:00AM
IN the countdown to his eighth season in the NRL, Matt Ballin revealed his goal of being a one club man by playing his entire career with the Sea Eagles.
The Manly ironman who turned 30 on Sunday got stuck back into training at Narrabeen yesterday with the rest of the top squad following their Christmas break.
"All my first grade games have been here at Manly," Ballin said.
"It's a very strong club and has a very proud history.
"I want to make sure when I look back on my time here I am very proud of it and can say I have been a Manly Sea Eagles player for my whole career."
In the modern era long-serving one team players are becoming an endangered species.
"Obviously the salary cap affects certain players but a lot of players want to stay here for less money," Ballin said.
"It is a good indication that the club and it's community is very close."
The workaholic hooker is under contract to the Sea Eagles for two more seasons until the end of 2015.
He hopes that doesn't take bring down the curtain on his career and he can then secure another deal with the club.
"I'd really love to keep playing," Ballin said.
"A lot of things can happen in those two years- whether the club wants me and whether I'm offer the club anything on the field is another matter."
And Ballin is ready to continue his amazing defensive feats in 2014 that have become such a crucial element in the club's success.
"You'd rather have the ball in your hands and not do so much if it," he said.
"But when it comes down to it I am in the middle of the field there and most weeks I play 80 minutes.
"And I have always enjoyed tackling ever since I was a young bloke." 😀
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-matt-ballin-wants-to-be-one-club-man-his-entire-career/story-fni3gnk1-1226796134361
John Chammas
Monday 6 January 2014 4:00 PM
Sea Eagles recruit Jayden Hodges has conceded the move from Townsville to the big smoke was the most daunting proposition of the decision to leave the Cowboys.
But, since docking into the northern beaches at the end of last season, Hodges has felt right at home despite initial fears of the lifestyle adjustment.
“I’m loving my time here at Manly,” Hodges said. “When I was in Townsville I was a little frightened of the big city life in Sydney😛, but the northern beaches has it’s own little area and I’m really enjoying it.”
The cousin of Broncos centre Justin Hodges has settled in nicely at his new club and says it’s his teammates who have made the stay at Manly a pleasurable one.
“Surprisingly they are all relaxed here. I thought they’d be more intense but they are really laid back and outside footy all the boys are cool,” Hodges said.
Forced to leave his family and close friends in order to pursue his fledgling NRL career, Hodges says the opportunity to play alongside a team filled with international experience was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.
The hooker revealed the coaching staff and talented crop of players at the Sea Eagles were the driving force behind his shift South.
"There were a lot of reasons. More importantly, the word opportunity came up. I made the move down here to work under Matt Ballin and the coaching staff,” Hodges said.
“To get the opportunity to work alongside Andrew Johns, Geoff Toovey, Dave Penna and Steve Georgallis, it was too big of an opportunity to knock back.
“Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran are international halves, one’s played Origin and just the opportunity to work with them will definitely improve my game.”
Having already played a handful of first-grade games last season at the Cowboys, Hodges trusts he is primed for the top grade should he be called upon.
“I’m prepared for that. My experience in the NRL last year was crazy. Coming from the Holden Cup, it’s a whole new game. The professionalism of the players is incredible and everything here has to be so specific.”
Hope Jayden settles in and learns to enjoy life as a Manly Sea Eagle
Bizarrely, the DT have Matty, who still has two years left of his contract, talking of extending for life :huh:
Manly Sea Eagles Matt Ballin wants to be one club man his entire career
JON GEDDES T JANUARY 07, 2014 12:00AM
IN the countdown to his eighth season in the NRL, Matt Ballin revealed his goal of being a one club man by playing his entire career with the Sea Eagles.
The Manly ironman who turned 30 on Sunday got stuck back into training at Narrabeen yesterday with the rest of the top squad following their Christmas break.
"All my first grade games have been here at Manly," Ballin said.
"It's a very strong club and has a very proud history.
"I want to make sure when I look back on my time here I am very proud of it and can say I have been a Manly Sea Eagles player for my whole career."
In the modern era long-serving one team players are becoming an endangered species.
"Obviously the salary cap affects certain players but a lot of players want to stay here for less money," Ballin said.
"It is a good indication that the club and it's community is very close."
The workaholic hooker is under contract to the Sea Eagles for two more seasons until the end of 2015.
He hopes that doesn't take bring down the curtain on his career and he can then secure another deal with the club.
"I'd really love to keep playing," Ballin said.
"A lot of things can happen in those two years- whether the club wants me and whether I'm offer the club anything on the field is another matter."
And Ballin is ready to continue his amazing defensive feats in 2014 that have become such a crucial element in the club's success.
"You'd rather have the ball in your hands and not do so much if it," he said.
"But when it comes down to it I am in the middle of the field there and most weeks I play 80 minutes.
"And I have always enjoyed tackling ever since I was a young bloke." 😀
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-matt-ballin-wants-to-be-one-club-man-his-entire-career/story-fni3gnk1-1226796134361
