Raiders ace reveals connection inspiring his NRL form
Sebastian Tan |
When Ethan Sanders is searching for inspiration to spark his NRL game, he only has to draw on memories of his predecessor.
Canberra’s halfback has been one of the most scrutinised No.7’s this season after he was parachuted into the jersey when Jamal Fogarty departed for Manly.
It hasn’t taken him long to settle into the playmaking position despite only featuring in four first-grade games of football before round one.
Slotting a match-winning field goal in the opening clash of the season laid the platform for the 22-year-old’s campaign. Last Saturday against Gold Coast he provided two try assists and dazzled with his boot to spearhead the Raiders to a much needed 28-12 victory.
Although Sanders puts his strong start to the season down to a mindset of aiming to stay dominant for 80 minutes, he is also looking to replicate the actions of his former teammate.
“I was in every video session last year that was led by Jamal. He was a big voice in this club, and obviously, in my first year, and I’m still trying to improve on that voice,” Sanders said on Wednesday.
“(I want to) suit different boys’ needs, and Jamal did that to the pack.
“His kicking game was awesome … and (I) kicked with him after sessions, whether that was goal kicking, field goals, and general play kicking.
“He took me under his wing, so that was awesome.”
Sanders is now turning his attention to facing runaway premiership favourites Penrith on Sunday at GIO Stadium, and he’s hopeful his halves partner Ethan Strange can return from an ankle injury after being named in the No.6 spot.
Strange missed the Titans clash with coach Ricky Stuart revealing he was hobbling around in last Thursday’s training session.
“If it were a finals game last week, he probably would have played,” Sanders said.
“Obviously, we’ve got Daine (Laurie), so there’s no stress if he needs another week, but he’s named, and he trained today, so he’s looking good.”
Matt Timoko will also come into the clash in hot form after carving up a mammoth 324 metres against Gold Coast, which was the second-most run metres by a centre in a match in the NRL era.
The performance came in just his third start of the season after recovering from a foot injury, and he’s looking to build on his momentum.
“It’s a good time in the season (to take on Penrith). We haven’t started too well, as everyone knows, but we’re slowly finding our form again and our identity as a team,” Timoko said.
“This week’s going to be a huge test, but it’s the right time.”
AAP