Peats helps ease minds of rattled rookies

NATHAN Peats was among the senior Gold Coast players to spark special team meetings this week to put the minds of rookies such as Max King at ease.

Rattled by Brisbane’s 54-0 demolition job at Cbus Super Stadium last weekend, the spotlight hit especially hard for first-year players like King.

“Monday morning, being one of the young kids coming in I didn’t really know how to react,” he told the Bulletin.

“Everyone took (the loss) pretty harshly.”

The 20-year-old lock forward revealed the downcast vibe that had swept their changeroom post-game was suddenly rectified, largely thanks to a man known for his ability to drag the squad into line.

“Nathan Peats pulled us all together,” King said.

“He said this is a time of need where we all really need to stick by each other and we really need to work and support each other.”

Fellow leaders including captain Ryan James and Queensland Origin bookend Jarrod Wallace also played prominent roles in overhauling the mood.

“The leadership boys, everyone has been really uplifting and positive,” King said.

“Everyone is really hungry to get out there this Saturday (against St George Illawarra).”

Teammates Joe Greenwood and Kane Elgey also spoke of player meetings and recognised that the future of coach Neil Henry – who has shown faith in both men – is in the team’s hands.

“Yeah and this week has sort of proved that,” said Elgey, who has had additional group meetings with his left edge teammates.

“When we’re not performing it comes back on them (the coaching staff) and just the club in general … we just have got to go out there and do the job now. We can talk as much as we want but we need to do it on the field.”

Greenwood agreed it is up to the 17 who take the field against the Dragons to turn the tide.

“There’s only us that can change it,” he said.

“The coaching staff can give as much information but it is us going out on the field and taking responsibility.”