INJURY-PLAGUED Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello found his fitness woes of recent years had not diminished his popularity during a whistle-stop visit to the Riverina yesterday.
In Griffith yesterday, the former Test fullback declared he was finally injury-free as he attempts to play his first full NRL season in five years.
After winning the Golden Boot award in 2005, Minichiello's career was rocked by a series of serious of back and neck injuries that restricted him to playing only 33 NRL games in the past four seasons.
But the rejuvenated 29-year-old said he felt like he could reproduce his dazzling best form in what has been billed as a season of rebuilding for the Roosters.
"I'm feeling great, myself and the team have had a really good pre-season and I feel really good about the team we've got especially with myself feeling good, so we're looking for a positive season this year," Minichiello said.
"I obviously got injured at the top of my game, but I feel if my body is right, and it's right, now I can compete at a really good level and play well for the Roosters."
Minichiello's time away from football certainly did not have an impact on his Riverina fans yesterday - he was the centre of attention anywhere he went.
The one-club star said the impact new coach Brian Smith has had on the club could not be underestimated, as the tri-colours look to turn around one of their worst seasons on and off the field in their proud history.
“I have said before I have been at the club 14 years and it’s the first time they’ve completely changed the coaching staff, so it was like a new club the first day we walked in for pre-season,” he said.
“It’s a positive feeling in camp at the moment and all of the players are feeling really good about what has happened in the couple of pre-season games so far.”
Minichiello was joined by Shaun Kenny-Dowall during their brief Griffith visit, with the newly re-badged centre saying he is looking to add to the single New Zealand appearance.
“It’s definitely something that I want to do more this year, and now I have moved to the centres this year I think I can do that, even though I’m still learning the ins and outs of centre,” Kenny-Dowall said.
“But it’s something that I aspire to do in the future, and I think I can do it under some of the good coaching I have been given from Smithy (Brian) Smith.”
Minichiello also tipped big things for off-season signing Todd Carney, saying his ability to play multiple roles will give their opposition another key weapon to worry about in attack.
“He’s just a young kid and he’s got a lot of footy in front of him and he’ll be a definite positive for our club because he’ll take the pressure off Mitchell Pearce and Braith (Anasta) in our ball-playing roles,” the former NSW rep said.
“A floating role will do him a lot of good early on in the season, he’s been out of the game but in the trial form he’s shown he’s been outstanding and especially with his goalkicking for he hasn’t missed one.”
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