Innisfail teen gets go ahead for NRL Nines
TEENAGE sensation Bailey Biondi-Odo has made an immediate impression at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The rookie halfback was on Monday named to the Bulldogs NRL Nines squad to play in Perth this week.
The 18-year-old was shocked by his selection and rapid ascension up the Bulldogs pecking order.
“I didn’t think I’d get a callup to this (NRL Nines) because I was only meant to do seven weeks of NRL pre-season,” Biondi-Odo said.
“I guess I had a pretty good seven weeks because they asked me to stay up for the rest of the pre-season.
“It’s all pretty crazy and I still pinch myself now that I’m training with all these other boys, but I’ve started to fit in and everything is working out.”
The Innisfail player will travel to Perth today with the rest of the squad ahead of the NRL Nines kicking off tomorrow.
He said he wasn’t really sure what to expect from his first foray into the NRL arena.
“I guess it will be fast footy and that will be pretty fun because I like that type of play,” he said. “It’s going to be tough but hopefully I can get a bit of space and move around a little bit.”
Biondi-Odo’s strong preseason has the electric half feeling the best he’s ever felt.
“I’m in good shape and feel like I can have a big year,” he said.
“It’s (Bulldogs pre-season) just tough. I remember coming in on the first day and everyone was talking about how tough a Bulldogs pre-season is and, well, it has been.
“I’m glad I’ve got through it and hopefully I can take all of this training into the season and have a great year.
“I’ll finish off pre-season with the boys in the next couple of weeks and then I’ll drop back down to the under-20s (Jersey Flegg) I’m pretty sure.”
The teenager made a big decision to leave Parramatta Eels and sign with the Bulldogs at the end of last year. And he’s glad he did.
“I really like it here. I’m enjoying my time and it’s been really good so far,” he said.
“I’ve moved to Belmore in a share house with a few of the other boys who are all in the same boat, which makes it easier because we do a lot of stuff together.”
The Bulldogs will play the Eels and Cronulla Sharks in Pool 2. The two top teams from each pool will progress to the knockout rounds on Saturday afternoon.