Parker’s lessons learned 300 games in

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THREE hundred games. It's a remarkable milestone in any sport but in the brutal world of NRL, it is a feat of extraordinary physical and mental toughness.

Broncos star Corey Parker, who play his 300th first grade match in Thursday night's season opener against South Sydney, looks back through his journey from starstruck youngster to senior player, and the dramas and delights along the way.

Parker (C) with Shane Webcke, Gorden Tallis, Allan Langer, Shane Walker & Andrew Gee in 2002. Source: News Corp Australia

Everyone has that one image from their first game that never leaves them. What was yours?

It's just flashed through my mind. It was (110kg Warriors backrower) Ali Lauitiiti bringing the ball out from a dropout. He was a monster of a man. I had just come on and it seemed to me as if he looked at everyone, then decided I was the one he could run straight over the top of. And he did.

How do look back at the generational changes in your journey with the Broncos?

I remember watching the '92 grand final in my full Broncos outfit, cheering for the side I loved, and mum and dad said 'let's go see the Broncos come in to the airport'. I was an eight-year-old standing next to the bus when my idols came through and I got a glimpse of them. I touched them as they walked past.

ORIGIN STAR HARRISON CAUGHT IN DRUG NET

BENNETT WILL MAKE FINAL CALL ON INGLIS

HODGES COMPLETES TRANSITION TO LEADER

ANGRY PARKER FED UP WITH DRUG RUMOURS

Then life moved on?

Yes I got to play with those players from the airport like Steve Renouf, Allan Langer and Kevin Walters. When I started playing with the Broncos in 2001, guys like Anthony Milford and Joe Ofahengaue were four years old, so it's gone full cycle.

I once heard that when you arrived at the club, the older players were very hard on you and you really resented it. Was that true?

Yes. It was the fact that I never used to back down. If I felt someone was having a go at me, I would not take a backward step. I got into many scuffles and wrestles with senior players, all of which ended with that mutual respect and understanding that I was not going to take that shit.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sounds like a tough school?

That's how footy was. There was a really good core of older guys. It was sink or swim. It worked for me. It may not work for others.

So you resented it and you physically fought them, yet you respected them?

Well I was 18, I might have thought I was the bees knees and they might have been trying to bring me down a peg or two, and that might have been needed.

When you talk of dressingroom scuffles, were there any Shane Webcke moments?

Plenty of them. I have a huge amount of respect for Webby and Andrew Gee. Webby is Webby. I think everyone knows what sort of guy he is and he tried to enforce that on me at times. I didn't cop it. We would wrestle and carry on.

Parker and Shane Webcke go at it during Broncos training. Source: News Limited

Was there ever serious punches thrown — and I can tell by the look on your face the answer is yes?

I had too much respect to throw a punch but we had plenty of wrestles. There would be times at training when the rest of the team would be up one end, and me and Webby would be rolling around at the other end. We would get up, suck in some seagulls and go and join the team.

That's priceless.

There was one punch actually. He won't mind me saying, because it was quite funny. We were at Webby's pub at Leyburn at the time with Gee Gee, (former CEO) Bruno Cullen and (media manager) Trad McLean, and the Origin team was being announced. There was talk it was going to be me or Gee Gee, and they knew it wasn't me and started to put a bit of shit on me. I pushed Gee Gee off his chair and he got a little cut on his head. Neither of us cared about it but geez it bled.

Hasn't the world changed. There's no way you would be able to have you wrestling bouts with Webcke or anyone today, would you?

No. That's 100 per cent right. It's changed. Josh McGuire is a good young kid with a huge amount of talent. I try to give to him what those guys gave to me. He has challenged me and we have butted heads along the way. But if you went the old way, it would not work.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Andrew Gee was one of your great mates but he left the Broncos suddenly and mysteriously last year. As captain, were your loyalties torn between the club and Gee?

It was difficult. The difficult thing for me was that all Andrew ever worried about was the team and the club. He has never done anything in regards to putting himself ahead of the club. To see him abruptly leave was hard for me to deal with. I am still very close with him. We talk regularly.

Do you think your wrestles with senior players cost you in terms of getting a reputation because if often looked as if there was no great push for you to play Origin?

Origin was different. One of my greatest or worst traits is I just tell it how it is. People can get offended by that. I played in 2004 and 2005 then they made a change, and went on that great run. I sat on the sidelines for six years burning every time I watched because I really wanted to play.

How hard was it to switch on the box on Origin night during your time in exile?

It did burn me to the point where — and this might sound really stupid — while I never went for the other team, I was hoping some guys in and around my position ... I didn't death ride them but wanted them to fail so they would look elsewhere. Obviously that didn't happen.

Parker has seen State of Origin from inside and outside the Maroons. Source: News Corp Australia

Early on, Israel Folau was on a million-dollar deal while you were working for a gas company then a turf company earning small bickies. What was that like?

There was no minimum wage when I first started, so for me to get by I needed a job. I would leave for work at 5am then go to training at 3pm after doing a full day's work. But I never took anything for granted. It taught me discipline. My first Broncos contract was $15,000 and game-based incentives after that.

What about times when other clubs wanted you?

My first deal I did that was worth substance, in terms of buying a house, was in 2001. Canterbury offered me $170,000-$180,000 and Melbourne were $180,000-$190,000. But all I wanted to do was play for Brisbane and I thought if I could succeed here, I could make it anywhere. I signed for Brisbane for $80,000 and went on to win a comp and play for Australia.

I tell that story to youngsters not for any other reason but I think sometimes money can cloud your view. If money is what you are after, fine but I wanted to play for the Broncos.

A young Parker at his day job in a gas distribution centre in 2001. Source: News Corp Australia

You grew up down Logan way and Brent Tate said some of your teammates had tatts and beards in the under-13s. Any truth is that?

He reckons our guys were actually driving to games at 15 with full blown moustaches and beards. We did have some big Islander boys at the time. They were very intimidating.

You have always managed yourself. Why?

There are a few reasons. When I was much younger I used to talk face-to-face with Wayne Bennett about contracts and it was pretty black and white. I was paying someone six or seven per cent of my wage to just have that conversation.

You seem to enjoy the cut and thrust of the contract stuff. Are there any tense moments?

Yes. You never go in trying to negotiate for less, so you push your case. The last deal I did was very challenging. I was in and out of talks. I enjoy the business side of rugby league. It has been challenging. I would like to do more of this after footy.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Are you disappointed to have your milestone match build-up marred by drug rumours about the club?

It is disappointing in general. It's just another hurdle the game does not need to go through. The last week has been covered in negative press. There were three great games of footy overseas and the All Stars game. And all anyone is talking about is the negative stuff.

You seem in good physical shape after 299 games. What will hurt most in 10 years time?

My knee. I manage it every game and at training. That is one thing that has come ahead in leaps and bounds in rugby league, management of players. Everyone used to have to same blanket thrown over them but now training us much more specific.

Parker says Cameron Smith is the best player he has ever faced. Source: News Corp Australia

What about brilliant players you played against. Who left a mark on you?

So many of them. Joey Johns in his prime was unstoppable.

Why?

He was just always at you … He was everywhere. But the best player I have ever played against was Cameron Smith. I used to play with him at my grandma's house. We came through the same club. He is one of those guys who I play against that I want to beat him so bad.

Why is he so good?

Mentally, he is just one or two steps ahead of the game. You just know he will come up with something like a kick from dummy half off the third tackle ... He looks like a banker. He hasn't got a body. He is absolutely nothing going on in that department. He is nothing to look at but he is the smartest guy I have played football with.

A rather scary looking Corey Parker in the Junior Kangaroos. Source: Supplied

What about your friendship with Michael Ennis, the mad sledger?

Before he came too Brisbane I hated him. Never met him but despised him just because of the way he carried himself. But then I was drawn to him, we just clicked and we have been best mates since. When you know him, he is a nice kind person but such a competitor. His sledges are never personal but very clever. He sledged me once when they were beating us and we came to blows on the field.

Who's the best sledger?

Cam Smith does a good job. He is not a sledger, he is a manipulator. He gets them in with his poise and calmness, whether it is a referee or someone.

Is he is king of manipulating referees?

Absolutely, 100 per cent. Hats off to him but I blow up regularly when we play them, because he just has that calmness that make people think they can side with him when he talks to them.

The game has changed a lot during Parker's career. Source: News Corp Australia

Some people like to chill out with exotic holidays but you love to go to Gold Coast in a caravan, don't you?

Yes. We have been doing it for 12 years. We have our own caravan. I love having my family and my sister and same friends every year. Its so relaxing. You have the beach, the boat ramp. You cook a barbie and have a beer. It's just relaxing.

You once traced your work ethic back to your father who was a truckie. How did he influence you?

I really have my parents to thank because they instilled a work ethic in me. If I wanted for something in my teenage years, it was not just given to me. I have had to work for it. I am trying to teach that to my kids now. We didn't have the flashest cars or house but we never went without anything. Mum still drives an hour each way to work and she is 60 this year.

Anthony Griffin once said you were so professional you could get your nominated weight to within one gram of the limit. How do you do that?

My life is very routine. I know what works and what doesn't, and I don't tend to steer too much either side of that. There are certain things I must do mentally and physically to make sure I can perform on game day.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Parker’s lessons learned 300 games in

Dengan url

http://beritaolahragakuat.blogspot.com/2015/02/parkeras-lessons-learned-300-games-in.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Parker’s lessons learned 300 games in

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Parker’s lessons learned 300 games in

sebagai sumbernya