Castleford Tigers: Eden relishing the No1 battle at Tigers
Eden – who played for Tigers in 2011 – is back at his hometown club on a two-year contract after spells with Huddersfield Giants, Hull KR, Salford Red Devils and Brisbane Broncos, where he spent last season.
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Hide AdWhen he signed for Castleford last summer the 26-year-old was seen as the natural successor to Aussie Luke Dorn, who retired at the end of the 2016 campaign.
But Tigers have since brought in Zak Hardaker – England’s full-back in last year’s Test series win over New Zealand – on a season-long loan from Leeds Rhinos and it is not yet clear who coach Daryl Powell sees as his first-choice number one.
Eden is keen to feature as Tigers’ last line of defence, but can also play on the wing or at stand-off and insisted the more quality players Cas have in every position, the better their chances will be of winning silverware next year.
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Hide Ad“Daryl is obviously looking to build a strong squad,” Eden said.
“With Ben Roberts as well, there’s three of us who could play full-back.
“There’s going to be some good competition and it shows how good a squad we’ve got.
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Hide Ad“We can all play other positions as well so we will have to see what Daryl thinks when we come to the season.”
Castleford have yet another full-back option in Ash Robson, who is expected to challenge for a place next year after missing the entire 2016 campaign due to a knee injury suffered in training.
Eden insisted training alongside the likes of Hardaker and Roberts will benefit his own game.
“We can all learn off each other,” he predicted.
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Hide Ad“We can work on our weaknesses and help each other out, which can’t be bad.”
Tigers have built a formidable squad since Powell took charge mid-way through 2013 and Eden feels the club is in a better state now – on and off the field – than during his first spell. It is a lot different from the first time I was down here,” he observed.
“There’s quite a few improvements with facilities and stuff.
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Hide Ad“The club overall is run a lot better, from what I have noticed. A few of the lads are still here, they are a good set of lads and I’ve settled in quite easily.”
Eden spent 2016 working with Wayne Bennett – who is also the England coach – at Brisbane and feels he has returned to Super League a better player.
“I don’t think it would be possible to go over there and come back a worse player,” he said of his NRL experience.
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Hide Ad“I loved it over there and I miss it a bit, but when I was over there I missed being here, so it is 50-50.
“I supported Cas when I was growing up and I played for them before, which I was happy about.
“Coming back was a no-brainer.”
Tigers’ challenge for 2017 is to go from being a competitive team capable of beating the top sides on their day to one that wins trophies.
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Hide AdThe prospect of playing in – and winning – major finals was a factor in Eden’s decision to return, but he reckons the competition is getting closer every season.
He said: “They’ve finished fourth, fifth and fifth for the last three years so that step up is definitely the next achievement.
“Normally the top-four [in Super League] are the same, but with Cas creeping up and asking questions and Catalans as well – and Hull having a good year last year – it looks a lot stronger overall.”