I think I’ve been asked how I’m feeling at least 1000 times this week and to tell you the truth I am disappointed but also excited.

Yes, losing my spot in the Kangaroos’ team is a huge disappointment, but it’s not the end of the world. I am aiming to keep my spot in the NSW side and win back my spot in the test team for the World Cup.

Having thought about it, if I can do that and Australia wins the World Cup then I think it would be a fitting end to my representative career. I played my first rep games in the 2000 World Cup and to go out of rep football on top after a World Cup victory would be ideal.

There has been plenty of talk about my non-selection in the Australian team through the media and, despite what a few may believe, I don’t think it has anything to do with how we are going at club level. I believe if you are good enough then you get picked, regardless of how your team is going but I know things may not always work like that.

On the positive side I am now getting to do something I haven’t yet in my career and that is represent Country and level up appearances with my brother Ian. It’s always good to level things with your brother!

So far I have found the camp a lot of fun and Craig Fitzgibbon (who has some average tats and shaves his head once a week to look sharp) has apparently dubbed our pack the old forwards club.

For his part Fitzy is looking well and could probably go around for another year and a half.

I find myself rooming with Andrew ‘Bobcat’ Ryan once again and he still has a nasty penchant for checking his near-naked self out in the mirror. I guess some things never change.

The team has been bonding well and a lot of that has to do with our very chirpy halfback. Finchy genuinely a funny bloke, but he almost didn’t make it to the hotel after I left him snoring on the bus. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, the driver noticed our sleepy halfback before he took off.

There are a few Eels players in the squads with City having three and us two. I’m not too bothered about playing against any of my fellow Eels. I probably won’t see Haynesy till the end of the match as he is on the wing, but Feleti Mateo and Chad Robinson may be a handful.

I think they are both very good selections and one thing is for sure I will not be attempting to run straight at Robbo - he hits hard. As long as I can tackle Feleti and shut him down I’ll be happy.

Realistically I think there are six back rowers in this game competing for two places in the NSW team. One would think the three guys in the Australian side, Paul Gallen, Ryan Hoffman and Greg Bird, will be picked with a couple of places left for either myself, Bobcat, Feleti, Fitzy, Mark Minichiello or Anthony Laffranchi.

I can’t afford to think about that too much though. I just want to go out there and perform well, get the win for Country and then prepare myself for the Panthers on Saturday night.

The game against Penrith is shaping up as a must win game for us. We should be fresh off the bye and even though the five of us engaged on Friday night have missed Eels training we have been kept in the loop and once Finchy and Feleti are told how to play I am sure they will execute.

The Penrith pack is impressive and aside from Petero Civoniceva doing the job like he always does I know we are going to have to keep an eye out for Frank Pritchard who has been putting on plenty of big hits recently. Luckily for me I tend to play on the other side of the ruck.

I enjoyed the long weekend and getting to relax with Bonnie although Buster was back with us on Saturday. Archie came back from Robertson on Sunday night and loved it.

I spent a bit of time messing around in the garden and got a fair bit done although it doesn’t look like it.

No tips this week as yet, although I did back No Wine No Song (I wish I’d backed it at 17/1 a few weeks ago when I backed out at the last minute) and Casino Prince on the weekend.

I’m looking forward to pressing my rep claims this weekend in both games.

Hindy

I would have loved to have written this blog after a big stirring victory. Unfortunately our opponents, Manly, were the ones who overcame the odds to beat us in a thriller.
 
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Having said that [...]

It’s been an emotional time lately, both personally and professionally, and thanks to everyone for all the messages and well wishes over the past couple of weeks.
 
I suppose everyone wants to know about Timmy Smith and truth be told I think he has done the right thing. Tim has made a massive decision to do [...]