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Can Anthony Mitchell exact revenge.........
Eels cast-off Mitchell finds 'there's a lot of love' at new Bondi home Michael Chammas
August 25, 2011
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Anthony Mitchell ... ready to face ex-teammates. Photo: Getty Images
THIS was meant to be the year Anthony Mitchell and his best friend Daniel Mortimer formed a lethal combination for Parramatta.
But tomorrow night, when the last-placed Eels take on the Sydney Roosters at Parramatta Stadium, Mitchell will be in the visitors' dressing room and Mortimer at home on the lounge preparing for Wentworthville's NSW Cup clash against Central Coast in Newcastle on Saturday.
Whatever prank the pair pulled on coach Stephen Kearney in the off-season, it didn't go down well with their new leader. Within two weeks of Mortimer getting the axe from the first-grade side, Mitchell was told he wasn't in the club's plans for next year and was no longer required.
Advertisement: Story continues below Brought to Parramatta from Townsville as a 17-year-old, Mitchell was in the final year of his contract and at the start of the year had every intention to extend his time in the blue and gold.
However, like several other players who had decided or been forced to end their association with the club, Mitchell was just another sacrifice Kearney was willing to make on the road to rebuilding the Eels.
''I really wanted to stay at the club and I really enjoyed my five years there,'' Mitchell said. ''But that's what happens when a new coach comes along; some players aren't going to be in his immediate future and I was a result of it, so I had to head off. Steve Kearney told my manager, 'If he wants to go he can go', then a week later he gave me a call and said, 'I heard you've accepted to go across [to the Roosters] … I wanted to let you know you weren't in our plans'.''
Mitchell could have finished the year at Parramatta but was aware it was likely to be alongside Mortimer at Wentworthville. He understood that unless there was a major injury, a first-grade recall wasn't on the cards.
Mark Riddell's mid-season retirement paved the way for the 22-year-old to finish the season at the Roosters, where he is contracted until the end of next season.
''Everyone has really been inviting to me,'' he said. ''As a matter of fact, the Roosters now remind me of Parramatta when I first went there. There's a lot of love in the club and everyone's looking to help out where they can.''
Despite being the victim of Kearney's overhaul, Mitchell said he can see the direction the former Kiwi international is trying to take.
''I felt it when I was there,'' he said. ''He's a very passionate coach and he does put a lot of man-hours into everything he does. I can see what he's trying to do and I can see what he's trying to develop, but I think he's going to have to start all over again. But with the likes of Chris Sandow, Ben Roberts and Willie Tonga coming along, I'm sure he won't have a problem.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...#ixzz1W2vhD75l
August 25, 2011
.
Anthony Mitchell ... ready to face ex-teammates. Photo: Getty Images
THIS was meant to be the year Anthony Mitchell and his best friend Daniel Mortimer formed a lethal combination for Parramatta.
But tomorrow night, when the last-placed Eels take on the Sydney Roosters at Parramatta Stadium, Mitchell will be in the visitors' dressing room and Mortimer at home on the lounge preparing for Wentworthville's NSW Cup clash against Central Coast in Newcastle on Saturday.
Whatever prank the pair pulled on coach Stephen Kearney in the off-season, it didn't go down well with their new leader. Within two weeks of Mortimer getting the axe from the first-grade side, Mitchell was told he wasn't in the club's plans for next year and was no longer required.
Advertisement: Story continues below Brought to Parramatta from Townsville as a 17-year-old, Mitchell was in the final year of his contract and at the start of the year had every intention to extend his time in the blue and gold.
However, like several other players who had decided or been forced to end their association with the club, Mitchell was just another sacrifice Kearney was willing to make on the road to rebuilding the Eels.
''I really wanted to stay at the club and I really enjoyed my five years there,'' Mitchell said. ''But that's what happens when a new coach comes along; some players aren't going to be in his immediate future and I was a result of it, so I had to head off. Steve Kearney told my manager, 'If he wants to go he can go', then a week later he gave me a call and said, 'I heard you've accepted to go across [to the Roosters] … I wanted to let you know you weren't in our plans'.''
Mitchell could have finished the year at Parramatta but was aware it was likely to be alongside Mortimer at Wentworthville. He understood that unless there was a major injury, a first-grade recall wasn't on the cards.
Mark Riddell's mid-season retirement paved the way for the 22-year-old to finish the season at the Roosters, where he is contracted until the end of next season.
''Everyone has really been inviting to me,'' he said. ''As a matter of fact, the Roosters now remind me of Parramatta when I first went there. There's a lot of love in the club and everyone's looking to help out where they can.''
Despite being the victim of Kearney's overhaul, Mitchell said he can see the direction the former Kiwi international is trying to take.
''I felt it when I was there,'' he said. ''He's a very passionate coach and he does put a lot of man-hours into everything he does. I can see what he's trying to do and I can see what he's trying to develop, but I think he's going to have to start all over again. But with the likes of Chris Sandow, Ben Roberts and Willie Tonga coming along, I'm sure he won't have a problem.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...#ixzz1W2vhD75l
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