AFTER an injury-plagued 2016 newly appointed Sydney Roosters rugby league co-captain Boyd Cordner is counting the seconds until the start of the NRL season this weekend.
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The Old Bar-born Cordner was sidelined for much of last year after initially injuring his pec muscle at pre-season training and then damaging his toe. However, he recovered to play a leading role in Australia’s triumph in the Four Nations tournament played in England in November. Cordner, a back rower, said he’s particularly excited at the prospect of leading the Roosters with hooker Jake Friend this season.
“Anyone who knows me knows how much this club means to me,’’ he told Roosters TV at the club’s season launch.
“To be named co-captain with Friendy is a massive honour and one I’m looking forward to.’’
“Now I’m looking forward to the season starting and seeing what’s in store for me.’’
The Roosters play an away game against the Gold Coast to kick the campaign off this weekend.
“Today’s session was the last official one of the pre-season. It sort of hit home after training,’’ Cordner said.
“It’s been a pretty long pre-season and now everyone is looking forward to the season starting.’’
The Roosters had a disastrous year in 2016, finishing 15th. Mitchell Pearce’s suspension along with a lengthy injury list led by Cordner and Jared Wyea Hargreaves virtually ended their season before it started. However, according to Cordner 2017 is ‘a fresh start.’
“We have a few new faces this year and it’s an exciting time ahead,’’ Cordner added.
“All the work has been done. The ball’s in our court now and it’s up to us to perform.’’
Cordner said he took the opportunity to relax last weekend.
“You need to get away because it is a long season,’’ he explained.
“So anytime I get a couple of days off I try to kick the feet up and get away as much as possible.
“A couple of the other boys do it differently, but me, I just like to get away.’’
He described the match against the Titans as a ‘good challenge.’
“They’ve made a couple of good signings and they’ll be tough,’’ he said.
Cordner will be joined by another Group Three product in the side against the Gold Coast, with Taree’s Latrell Mitchell set to be named in the centres. Mitchell, who alternated between fullback and wing in 2016, was the side’s leading try scorer.
