The Might of Gareth Ellis
September 10th 2010 03:54
The Might of Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is my favourite player. Period.
There is no point hiding it for the sake of appearing unbiased, the guy is a machine – and I love it!
Since appearing on the NRL scene in 2009, he has become a Wests Tigers cult hero and has not failed to impress. With his formidable record in the English Super League preceding him, Ellis made considerable impact in his first season with the Tigers, going so far as being named as Wests Player of the Year.
From 2008-09 Ellis has been named in the Rugby League International Federation’s Team of the Year and will no doubt be pressing for inclusion this year.
His switch to the NRL came not due to the lure of money, in fact he received less than if he were to stay in the UK. But rather because he wanted the challenge of bettering himself and competing in the hardest and most competitive Rugby League Premiership in the world.
It is remarkable then that in only two seasons, Ellis has become so valuable to the Tigers that the club extended his contract to the end of 2013. Speaking in the Sydney Morning Herald, Wests Tigers master-coach Tim Sheens said, ‘In my time here, dollar-for-dollar, he’s been the best buy this club has had’.
What makes Gareth Ellis great is his passion and his heart. He is a workaholic on the field; a true eighty minute man. Equally important is his toughness, making him an imperative feature of the Tigers pack and consequently their hopes for the finals.
In the past, the Tigers have been criticised for their woeful defence. This year, I feel, the Tigers have won many games due to their defence. They have been winning ugly, but they are winning games that they would have lost in previous years.
The disorganisation and lack of commitment in defence that has plagued the club in the past has largely been lacking this year. The Tigers will always let in points. That will never change. But this season they are holding far tighter in defence and scrambling with increased urgency.
It is this quality that has helped the Tigers climb the ladder and finish with its highest regular season position in its history. With special mention to his partner in crime Todd Payten, this is largely due to Ellis.
The importance of the team’s improved defence is not lost on the English star, as he has quoted in the Daily Telegraph today.
‘We’ve shown this year we’ve got extra steel in the way we play.’ He said. ‘This year, with a bit of experience, we’ve learned to grind out wins, and that could be a key factor when it comes to meeting some of the top teams in the finals.’
When an opposing team is converging on the Tigers line, there is Ellis, always steadfast in his task. He is a rock. Most encouraging to me though, which I have noticed more in later games this season, Ellis has adopted a role of leadership within the team. A position that I am sure he has earned amongst his fellow team-mates.
After Wests narrow loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park last Friday night, the Tigers refused to leave the field and instead remained in a huddle. After a few words from Captain Robbie Farah and five-eighth Benji Marshall, Ellis took charge and passionately directed his words to his team-mates
That sign of solidarity amongst the players, with Ellis being one to lead the way, is a positive sign for the Tigers faithful.
Despite his passion though, the most inspiring aspect of Gareth Ellis’ character is his humility. He truly is a gentleman of the game.
Upon being named as Wests Tigers Player of the Year in 2009, Ellis chose to praise his fellow team-mates and coaching staff than to comment on his own achievements.
‘When I arrived at Wests Tigers, I came in awe of some of the players that I now play alongside.’ He went on to say; ‘I’m a much better player than when I started out and that is down to the coaching staff.’
In the ultimate compliment in June this year, Tim Sheens said of Ellis; ‘He leaves nothing in the tank. He’s scary. He knocks you down and runs hard’.
Wests Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell went on to say in the Daily Telegraph today; ‘He takes every game personally, he doesn’t like getting beaten and leaves no stone unturned.’
So liked and revered is Ellis, that a group of Tigers fans have gotten together to form the Gareth Army. Seen at most Tigers games, the group of Ellis fanatics roam the grounds with orange, yellow and brown army camouflage shirts with his number, 12 on the back.
A member of the ‘Army’, Anthony Sinclair has said; ‘One of the boys came up with the chant ‘Gareth Army, Gareth Army’ in the same tone as the English cricket team’s Barmy Army. Because he is an Englishman, the chant stuck and the Army was formed.’
Gareth Ellis is certainly passionate, but more importantly, he evokes passion in the people around him. Obviously the Gareth Army is a by-product of that, but more importantly it is Ellis’ team-mates that feed from it the most.
Every great team needs a game-breaker or someone whom can lift their spirits when they have their backs against the wall. It may take a flash of brilliance, or a big hit, or even a strong run. Wally Lewis did it for the Maroons, as did Allan Langer. More recently Penrith has Petero Civoniceva while Brisbane has Darren Lockyer.
The Wests Tigers are lucky to have a number of players who can produce this flash of brilliance. But it is Ellis that is most likely to deliver that kind of attitude for the full eighty minutes. If only he were eligible for State of Origin, as he is that type of player.
With that said, one thing is certain; if the Wests Tigers want to go all the way this year, they will need Gareth Ellis fit and at full force. With the likes of Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall and Lote Tuqiri he can sometimes go unnoticed, but he could quite possibly prove to be this year’s Clive Churchill medallist on Grand Final day.
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