Corey Norman

Corey Norman

Personal information
Born	(1991-02-03) 3 February 1991 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height	185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Position	Five-eighth, Fullback, Halfback
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2010–13	Brisbane Broncos	63	13	2	0	56
2014–	Parramatta Eels	64	7	2	0	32
	Total	127	20	4	0	88
Source: [1]

Corey Norman (born 3 February 1991), is an Australian rugby league player who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition. He plays as a full-back or as a five-eighth.^[2]

Early years

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Norman is Australian. His junior club were the Beenleigh Lions. Norman attended Keebra Park High on the Gold Coast, the same school that has produced the likes of Benji Marshall, Ben Te'o, Rangi Chase, Robert Lui and Greg Eastwood.^[3] Norman has been compared with Broncos legend Darren Lockyer,^[4] with his "tricks" being noted with regards to his skill level.^[5][6]

He was named as the Brisbane under 20's team back of the year in 2009.^[5]

He is eligible to represent New Zealand.^[7]

Playing career

Norman was named in the Brisbane Broncos team for round 1 of the 2010 NRL season.^[8][9] He did enough to impress during pre-season trial games against the likes of the Canberra Raiders to make the Broncos side for the season opener.^[5][10] He beat off opposition from Josh Hoffman to claim the number 1 jersey.^[11] He made an impression in the opening minutes by saving two early tries. In the 19th minute he set up Israel Folau in the corner for the first try of the night. Three minutes later, Norman delivered a perfectly weighted pass to captain Darren Lockyer to send him over for the second try of the night which helped the Broncos stay in front for the rest of the game, eventually winning 30-24. After the game, he was named Man of the Match and became an instant hit with Brisbane fans.

He remained first choice fullback in round 2 against the Canberra Raiders. He set up Israel Folau for the Broncos' first try after a line break. The Broncos eventually lost 22-14. He finished the match with one line break, one try assist, two hit-ups, two tackles, two missed tackles and one error.

On 24 February 2012, Norman extended his contract with the Broncos for 1 year, to the end of the 2013 season.^[12] The 2012 NRL season was a breakout year for Norman, where he cemented the void five-eighth position following the retiring departure of Broncos Legend Darren Lockyer.^[13][14] Norman played in all of the Broncos 25 matches, scoring 10 tries and kicking 2 goals.

Following the signing of Gold Coast Titans experienced playmaker Scott Prince to the Broncos, Norman was shifted back to Fullback.^[15][16][17] On 25 March 2013, Norman announced that he signed a lucrative 3-year contract with the Parramatta Eels, starting from 2014 earning $450,000 a season and also a guaranteed full-time playing position in his preferred five-eighth spot.^[18] Norman continued to play at fullback for the Broncos until Round 18 when he fall of favour from coach Anthony Griffin and spent the rest of the year playing in the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup.^[19][20] Norman finished his last year with the Brisbane Broncos with him playing in 18 matches and scoring 2 tries in the 2013 NRL season.

In February 2014, Norman was selected in the Eels inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.^[21] In Round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Norman made his club debut for the Parramatta Eels against the New Zealand Warriors, playing at five-eighth and kicking 2 goals in the Eels 36-16 win at Parramatta Stadium.^[22][23] In Round 10 against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Norman scored his first club try for the Eels in the 36-0 win at Parramatta Stadium.^[24] Norman his first year with the Parramatta Eels with him cementing the five-eighth position as his own, playing in all of the club’s 24 matches, scoring 3 tries and kicking goals in the 2014 NRL season.

In Round 13 of 2015 against the North Queensland Cowboys, Norman played his 100th NRL career match and also scored a try in the Eels 36-30 loss at Parramatta Stadium, after they lead 30-6 till up to the 57th minute.^[25][26] Norman finished the 2015 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Eels.

In 2014, 2015 and 2016 he was named in the NRL Auckland Nines team of the tournament and took out the coveted player of the tournament award in the 2016 competition, where the Eels triumphed over the New Zealand Warriors 24-4 in the final to win their maiden Auckland 9's title.^[27] In Round 1 against his former club the Brisbane Broncos, during the match in the Eels 17-4 loss at Parramatta Stadium, Norman left the field injured and was seen using his mobile phone in the changing rooms in which the players are banned to use their mobile phones during NRL matches. Norman was cleared and said that he was only letting his family know that he was okay.

During the 2016 season Norman cemented his spot in the competition as a superstar, leading the injury ridden Parramatta Eels to a big Round 9 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20-12. During the game Rugby League commentator/legendary Blues coach Phil Gould quoted "Norman would walk into a blues Jersey if he was a New South Welshman" Although Norman's eligibility is to Queensland despite being stuck behind the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk ^[28]

References

External links

• 2016 Parramatta Eels profile
• NRL profile