Rejuvenated Cowboys centre says he’s peaking at right time
IT HAS been a daunting time to be an off-contract NRL player, however Tom Opacic is doing all he can to prove he is worthy of being a Cowboy beyond 2020.
Uncertainty has been a theme throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and not getting the opportunity to showcase his worth was a struggle for the 25-year-old, particularly with his second child on the way.
But despite not having played a game since the one and only round of this year’s Intrust Super Cup, Opacic put in a star showing as a late inclusion in the North Queensland squad that took down the Newcastle Knights.
Now having been named once again, with a big challenge against the ladder-leading Parramatta, he said he needed to consistently bring that effort to the field with every chance he received.
“It probably has been a bit stressful, but when there’s nothing you can do about it you just have to move on and do the best you can,” Opacic said.
“Hopefully I can string a few really good performances together and they keep me around for another year.
“After having six or seven weeks off in lockdown, everyone was training pretty hard so we’ve come back in pretty good shape, then not getting an opportunity to play probably just made me more hungry.
“I’m really enjoying it, I think it’s brought out the best footy I’ve played.”
It was Opacic’s commitment in defence that drew attention on Saturday, however those skills will be tested even further against the Eels.
Opposing him will be towering centre Waqa Blake and State of Origin winger Blake Ferguson, who each have provided plenty of yardage for Parramatta to work with.
But Opacic said it was not a challenge they could shy away from – rather it was a test of their own premiership credentials and a lesson in how to harness the mindset that got them over the Knights.
“You’d probably say them and the Roosters are the benchmark of the competition at the moment so it’s just more exciting to play them and see where we’re at,” he said.
“They’re big and quick on both edges – I think both four on each edge are really going to have to be on our game.
“If we can turn up like we did on the weekend, I’m sure we’ll give it a good run.
“It’s really just about how we turn up, everyone needs to be on their game.
“I think that’s a big thing, to turn up in exactly the same mind frame as we did against Newcastle.”
Cowboys coach Paul Green said Opacic had set a positive example for his teammates.
“Tom hasn’t been in our team all year and was very low maintenance through the whole period,” he said.
“He put his head down, worked hard, never complained, got his opportunity and made the most of it.
“It’s a great example for young guys about how to cope with being a professional footballer.”