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BLAKE AND BEAU DO IT 'THE RIGHT WAY'
By Wayne Cousins
13/10/2011 12:24:32 PM
It was the right centre and wing combination that failed to attract much attention but it suited Blake Ayshford and Beau Ryan down to the ground.
In fact, the fewer headlines the better for these close friends who enjoyed going about their work with little fanfare in season 2011.
Ryan said he was highly impressed by Ayshford’s composure.
“Blake is so smooth. He makes playing right centre look so easy,’’ Ryan said.
“He is big, fast and strong and keeps getting better with every game.
“Blake was a real standout this season for us and if he continues to play to his potential next season, I have no doubt he can play for NSW and even Australia.
“There is always speculation about how he would make a good lock because of his ball skills but as long as I am outside him on the wing, then I will be a happy man.
“People talk about how deadly Chris Lawrence and Lote Tuqiri are on the left side and we hardly get a mention but Blake and I like it that way.
“I think we flew under the radar a bit this year and scored just as many tries as the left edge.”
Ayshford played all 26 games this season and says he and Ryan were happy to do the ‘dirty runs’ before the focus of the attack would often shift to the left edge.
“It suits us because it helps to gets our metres up, ‘’Ayshford said.
“Tim Sheens told me I had the most runs and the most metres for any centre in the NRL this year. It made me feel good.
“When Chris Lawrence came back both times from injury, the media focus was on him. No one was talking about how good our right side was going. And that was fine.
“I knew I had to step up when Chris got injured and it is a blessing in some way when media or opposition teams don’t rate you as much or just take you for granted as a footy player.”
Ayshford said he always felt comfortable when Ryan was on his outside.
“When we made that winning run during the last 7 rounds, my defence picked up 100 per cent because of his talk. I knew if I missed a tackle, Beau was going to make it,’’ Ayshford said.
“Beau is quite safe and good under the high ball too. I have to give credit to his fitness as he is never tired. He gives away a lot of size to other wingers but Beau will always get the job done for you.”
By Wayne Cousins
13/10/2011 12:24:32 PM
It was the right centre and wing combination that failed to attract much attention but it suited Blake Ayshford and Beau Ryan down to the ground.
In fact, the fewer headlines the better for these close friends who enjoyed going about their work with little fanfare in season 2011.
Ryan said he was highly impressed by Ayshford’s composure.
“Blake is so smooth. He makes playing right centre look so easy,’’ Ryan said.
“He is big, fast and strong and keeps getting better with every game.
“Blake was a real standout this season for us and if he continues to play to his potential next season, I have no doubt he can play for NSW and even Australia.
“There is always speculation about how he would make a good lock because of his ball skills but as long as I am outside him on the wing, then I will be a happy man.
“People talk about how deadly Chris Lawrence and Lote Tuqiri are on the left side and we hardly get a mention but Blake and I like it that way.
“I think we flew under the radar a bit this year and scored just as many tries as the left edge.”
Ayshford played all 26 games this season and says he and Ryan were happy to do the ‘dirty runs’ before the focus of the attack would often shift to the left edge.
“It suits us because it helps to gets our metres up, ‘’Ayshford said.
“Tim Sheens told me I had the most runs and the most metres for any centre in the NRL this year. It made me feel good.
“When Chris Lawrence came back both times from injury, the media focus was on him. No one was talking about how good our right side was going. And that was fine.
“I knew I had to step up when Chris got injured and it is a blessing in some way when media or opposition teams don’t rate you as much or just take you for granted as a footy player.”
Ayshford said he always felt comfortable when Ryan was on his outside.
“When we made that winning run during the last 7 rounds, my defence picked up 100 per cent because of his talk. I knew if I missed a tackle, Beau was going to make it,’’ Ayshford said.
“Beau is quite safe and good under the high ball too. I have to give credit to his fitness as he is never tired. He gives away a lot of size to other wingers but Beau will always get the job done for you.”
