News From Top End to Belmore: Elliott's remarkable road to NRL return

Jackson_1994

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James Roberts was not the only player to return to the NRL bubble and start training with his teammates this week.

While South Sydney awaited word from the NRL's biosecurity experts as to whether Roberts would need to isolate for 14 days after being treated for depression and anxiety in a rehabilitation facility, Canterbury's Adam Elliott quietly slipped back into town from Darwin via Alice Springs.

Like Roberts, Elliott followed all the required protocols – without the publicity – before completing his first weights session on Thursday followed by a field session on Friday.

There have been few cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Territory and, because Elliott abided by daily temperature checks and all other requirements of the players' allocated phone app, he avoided self-isolation upon his return

The forward and his partner Robyn were expecting their first baby when the NRL competition was suspended. After two nurses at their local hospital tested positive for coronavirus, the couple packed their bags and headed to the Top End to be with Robyn's family.

After isolating for a fortnight in Howard Springs, a tiny dot on the map about 30 kilometres south of Darwin, Elliott and Robyn eventually welcomed their first son, Lennox, last Tuesday week

Lennox was born Tuesday and I was ready to fly back on the Friday when Deano [coach Dean Pay] called me and told me to spend a few extra days with the family," Elliott told The Sun-Herald.

"It was really nice of Deano. I thought he was ringing me to talk about training.
"But he was happy for me to stay. There were no flights out of Darwin on the weekends and they were only flying Wednesdays and Fridays, so I flew back on Wednesday.

"There's been no footy in my hands or any teammates around me, but nine days is enough for me leading into our first game back [against Manly]."
Elliott's sacrifice start now, as he endures at least the next month without Robyn and Lennox because the latter is too young to fly. A hit-and-run trip to see his loved ones is effectively impossible given he would be required to isolate in a Darwin hotel for a fortnight.

Off-contract Elliott's young family will now be heavily factored in when negotiating a new deal for 2021 and beyond.
"This is my last year on my current deal," Elliott said. "If the season had continued the way it did and we hadn't had the break, I'd be in some serious contract negotiations about now. The unknown with the salary cap has put a hold on things
"It's not as easy as it once was when I was a young fella. I had the opportunity to leave before my last contract and there were some serious offers from Parramatta and the Warriors I weighed up.
"I stayed out of pure love for the club. I've been a Dogs supporter since I was four years old. I didn't think it was time for me to leave
"Now with a young family, the reality is I need to provide for them. It will be a mutual agreement with me, the club and my family. The priority is to stay where I'm at."
Elliott trained up to three times a day up north, often as the mercury soared towards 40 degrees celsius.

Meanwhile, Canterbury's Kieran Foran will have an MRI and visit a specialist this week to get the all clear on his right shoulder, but will now be touch and go to return against the Sea Eagles after tweaking a hamstring during the week
 

CrittaMagic69

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No way would I be starting him if he just joined the squad on Thursday, bench for him and time to reward To'omaga with a start considering the shape he returned in and the fact that he has been there since day one. Pay will obviously think otherwise even though he was just yapping on about managing fatigue.
 

Kempsey Dog

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People shit on him but I'm happy for him to have his contract extended. No more than 350k and a bench player is fair imo
 

Snake

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Is that last sentence about Foran tweaking a hamstring at training during the week a G UP ?
 
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The_Chimpster

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People shit on him but I'm happy for him to have his contract extended. No more than 350k and a bench player is fair imo
People love to shit on him for the wrong reasons imo. I think his biggest problem is that he tried too hard, and some of the stuff he produced was terrible. But he's improved quite a bit and as long as he keeps his composure and not overplay his hand, he'll be a very handy player going forward
 

Cook

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People love to shit on him for the wrong reasons imo. I think his biggest problem is that he tried too hard, and some of the stuff he produced was terrible. But he's improved quite a bit and as long as he keeps his composure and not overplay his hand, he'll be a very handy player going forward
Been one of our best of late. Don’t understand the hate. Someone that gives his all is better than the lazy bloke with double the talent. He’s one guy I’d actually not want to run into, he hits as hard as anyone in our team.
 
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bradyk

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I don't mind Elliott starting (with our current team 100% starting). He isn't a world class lock but for the price we can retain him for and the output he gives us we can strengthen other areas. He bleeds blue and white and shows almost the most, if not the most, effort out of anyone in our team. I also think he's one of our more dangerous ball running forwards (and with CHN gone possibly the only one). I'm a little surprised he still hasn't been re-signed and by the looks of it the coach and club also love him.
 

Kempsey Dog

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People love to shit on him for the wrong reasons imo. I think his biggest problem is that he tried too hard, and some of the stuff he produced was terrible. But he's improved quite a bit and as long as he keeps his composure and not overplay his hand, he'll be a very handy player going forward
Agree, I like him on the edge better tbh, but the middle did reduce his handling errors, still forces passes... Think he should be our left edge backrower in round 3 tbh but Pay is putting Britt there
 

Scoooby

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From what I did see, and his efforts in his first two games this year. I’m happy to see if he can be consistent, he improved and played well..!! Benefit of the doubt.
 

Moedogg

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Did I just read Foran tweaked a hamstring??
 

DT

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I tell you also off the field he is an outstanding human. He came and visited my son in hospital last year when he was going through hell & Adam Elliot along with Kerrod Holland were superstars.
He will be an amazing father now & his footy has been getting better so he is one we need to keep for sure. He is one of those 'Canterbury' club players that will stay & do really well
Been one of our best of late. Don’t understand the hate. Someone that gives his all is better than the lazy bloke with double the talent. He’s one guy I’d actually not want to run into, he hits as hard as anyone in our team.
 

DT

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He ain't going anywhere
I don't mind Elliott starting (with our current team 100% starting). He isn't a world class lock but for the price we can retain him for and the output he gives us we can strengthen other areas. He bleeds blue and white and shows almost the most, if not the most, effort out of anyone in our team. I also think he's one of our more dangerous ball running forwards (and with CHN gone possibly the only one). I'm a little surprised he still hasn't been re-signed and by the looks of it the coach and club also love him.
 

Mitch Connor

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His first two games were fucking outstanding. He was back to that wild kid who played for Country a couple years ago.

Whoever said that his problem was he was trying too hard and fucking up was spot on imo.

There is a really really good backrower in Adam Elliott. I think we are going to see him flourish. I hope so.
 

CrittaMagic69

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His first two games were fucking outstanding. He was back to that wild kid who played for Country a couple years ago.

Whoever said that his problem was he was trying too hard and fucking up was spot on imo.

There is a really really good backrower in Adam Elliott. I think we are going to see him flourish. I hope so.
Because contract year.
 

Scorpio

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Wow.... Foran tweaked a hamstring....
 
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