Eddy Pettybourne demolishes shock do to cement Tigers spot

[weststigers4life]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/eddy-pettybourne-demolishes-shock-do-to-cement-tigers-spot/story-e6frexnr-1226545444425


New Wests Tigers recruit Eddy Pettybourne has ditched this Demolition Man hairstyle. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

EDDY Pettybourne is so determined to stand out for the right reasons in 2013, the Wests Tigers recruit has already ditched the infamous Demolition Man hairstyle he religiously rocks over summer.

A mainstay in the South Sydney pack for six seasons, Pettybourne switched to the Tigers in October and, for the first few months, turned as many heads as you'd expect from a 104kg Polynesian with dyed blond hair.

But while the usual summer do is no more, his desire to "stand out" remains intact.

"The whole reason for me coming to Wests Tigers is to show myself off more," Pettybourne said.

"With so many big names back at the Rabbitohs now, I wasn't able to do what I wanted to, get the positions I wanted.

"And I'm at the stage of my career where I don't just want to be playing footy for the sake of it. I still have a lot of goals, things I want to achieve in the game. And it starts with cementing a spot in the Tigers starting side getting myself that 11 or 12 jersey.

"I'd also like to take on a leadership role. Help others along as well as myself."

While originally brought to the club by coach Tim Sheens, who has since departed, Pettybourne said he was comfortable with his position within the club after speaking at length with Sheens' replacement, Mick Potter.

"When I found out Sheensy wouldn't be here, it was tough," the 24-year-old said.

"He was the one who signed me so naturally you think he'll be the coach you play for.

"But Mick has been great. He's a tough coach and has achieved a lot."

 

[alex]

Wow, he's only 24? Good to see he has many years left in him. I hope he brings some aggression to our pack. Would love for him and Blair to create a partnership like Kasiano and Pritchard did at the Dogs this year.

Also intersting to see he's aiming/knows he'll be in the backrow. I was unsure whether Potter would be using him as a bench prop or not
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[Roysta59]

and he wants to wear 11 or 12, not 8 or 10 (Potter will be the one that decides but maybe he also wants Eddy to wear 11 or 12.
Slowly putting the jig saw together. (Blai and Eddy second row, Anasta Lock…Fulton?? Not sure where he fits in just yet or is his hand injury going to take more time to heal?)

Looking forward to next year

 

[alexaki]

Good luck Ed there are better players for the 11 &12 ahead of you.
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[alex]

Good luck Ed there are better players for the 11 &12 ahead of you.
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It's also about the balance of the team. A backrow of Blair, Fulton and Anasta would get man handled by oppositions. It would take us back to the free flowing footy of 2005 though! Can't wait to see the make up of the squad in round one
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[LaT]

Pettybourne is a terrific pickup for us IMO.

I know he wants a starting spot, but he could also be effective off the bench. Just depends on where Potter sees his value I guess. Hope he has a massive year!

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

"With so many big names back at the Rabbitohs now, I wasn't able to do what I wanted to, get the positions I wanted.

i intrepet this as Souths have a better pack than we do. Coming from the man himself.

 

[innsaneink]

If he runs at the line the way he used to when he first hit first grade, I think everyone will be very happy

 

[Tigersmurf]

"With so many big names back at the Rabbitohs now, I wasn't able to do what I wanted to, get the positions I wanted.

i intrepet this as Souths have a better pack than we do. Coming from the man himself.

Do you disagree? It is no secret that Souths have a much better pack than us and I would say results over the last couple of years have proven that.

However in 2013 I think our pack oozes potential and experience and I really do think that Mick Potter is the man to install some discipline to enable our forwards to excel.

 

[LaT]

You could take it as that. Having S Burgess and Crocker etc would be tough for any young forward trying to make their mark.

Everytime Pettybourne has spoken to the press he has been very candid and spoke without filtering. If you go back a few months you find an article where he speaks about going to Tigers to "secure his future" (paraphrasing of course). But he has never dumped on us or made us seem like a 2nd chance prize, he has been honest and sounds very genuine in his motives.

Its refreshing to hear players speak about their actual motives rather than the "looking for a new challenge, joining a great squad" media training we normally get.

He has handled himself well IMO.

 

[happy_tiger]

He could be our gun signing for 2013 if he plays to his potential

 

[the_third]

Maybe having him wanting to be here and performing at a good level will lift Blair. I'd love to see them both starting
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[AmericanHistoryX]

"With so many big names back at the Rabbitohs now, I wasn't able to do what I wanted to, get the positions I wanted.

i intrepet this as Souths have a better pack than we do. Coming from the man himself.

Do you disagree? It is no secret that Souths have a much better pack than us and I would say results over the last couple of years have proven that.

However in 2013 I think our pack oozes potential and experience and I really do think that Mick Potter is the man to install some discipline to enable our forwards to excel.

yes & no. I agree Souths have big name forwards but i disagree with what came in the end for this pack in September 2012\. They collapsed. Its a mental attitude. Pettybourne was part of that attitude. At the Wests Tigers we have a different attitude. Thats where Pettybourne must make changes with the guidance of Potter. Thats my take on it.
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[BenjiMagic96]

I wouldnt have a problem with

11\. Pettybourne
12\. BMM
13\. Anasta

I would keep props the same as last year though.

 

[Newtown]

I wouldnt have a problem with

11\. Pettybourne
12\. BMM
13\. Anasta

I would keep props the same as last year though.

So, you are leaving Fulton, our best forward of 2012, out?

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

With Anasta we have an additional ball runner/player, and an optional kicker.
IMHO, our best 'defansive' backrower formation is:
Bell
Blair
Fulton

and our best attacking one:

Pettybourne
BMM
Anasta

 

[innsaneink]

"With so many big names back at the Rabbitohs now, I wasn't able to do what I wanted to, get the positions I wanted.

i intrepet this as Souths have a better pack than we do. Coming from the man himself.

Do you disagree? It is no secret that Souths have a much better pack than us and I would say results over the last couple of years have proven that.

However in 2013 I think our pack oozes potential and experience and I really do think that Mick Potter is the man to install some discipline to enable our forwards to excel.

yes & no. I agree Souths have big name forwards but i disagree with what came in the end for this pack in September 2012\. They collapsed. Its a mental attitude. Pettybourne was part of that attitude. At the Wests Tigers we have a different attitude. Thats where Pettybourne must make changes with the guidance of Potter. Thats my take on it.
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Dunno about collapsing, the slaughtered canberra, in semi 1….then was matching the Dogs imo until their half went down.....they had no kicking game after that, the forwards got down the Dogs end but they couldnt finsih off the sets

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

They didnt really exceed expectations either. There was no aura about them. They dont have the heart of a Fulton


Yes, I'm taken aback that Pettybourne said what he did because as much as I watched Souths on the box - i thought that Pettybourne was one of the better players in that big pack when he got a chance.

 

[tigersrule4life]

His a good player good signing tbh i cant wait to see him playing come round 1.