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Bronco Norman not getting big head in NRL

3 minute read

Young Brisbane NRL five-eighth Corey Norman is not getting carried away with early praise following his strong showing as Darren Lockyer's replacement.

He's impressed two of the best five-eighths to play the game but Brisbane's new No.6 Corey Norman understands he still has a long way to go before being considered a NRL player.

Most coaches would worry if legends Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer sang the praises of one of their young players.

But Broncos coach Anthony Griffin knows Norman is not likely to let such lofty praise give him a big head.

Norman also knows he hasn't made Lockyer's No.6 jumper his own just yet despite outplaying several of the NRL's best five-eighths already this season.

On Friday night, he could come up against Manly's Kieran Foran, a player he opposed in the under-20s who has already won a grand final and played Test football for New Zealand.

Foran has been battling a hamstring injury but is expected to make his return against the Broncos in yet another test for young Norman.

"I played him back in the under-20s and once last year," said Norman.

"He's an awesome player. He takes the ball to the line and he's tough."

Norman has coped with the pressure of replacing Lockyer exceptionally well and his running game has been a feature.

"I'm pretty laidback anyway," he said about stepping into such a key role against the game's best playmakers.

"Each week, I'm getting more and more confident but I've still got a lot to learn before I feel comfortable."

Norman will again link up with his under-20s halves partner Ben Hunt, who replaces injured halfback Peter Wallace (groin).

The pair clicked nicely against Canberra in round seven when Wallace was also sidelined with a groin injury.

"We did really well then and I don't think anything will change," he said.

Gold Coast will play Canterbury in the second game of a Suncorp Stadium double-header.

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