At just 20 years of age, Roosters back-rower Boyd Cordner has that look in his eyes – the look of drive,
determination, and a passion to succeed in first-grade.
Having turned 20 only yesterday, he feels older and more mature, saying that feeling like a teenager during his teenage years, was not the case – due to the fast-paced and hard-nosed action of the NRL.
“The playing and training takes a toll on your body,” said Cordner.
“Rugby league has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, which is always the way with footy, whether it’s winning or losing or injuries. You don’t know what you’re going to get so you take it day by day, week by week.”
Cordner, who made his debut for the club and in the NRL in Rd 13 last year, started training with the Roosters squad at just 16 – with injuries unable to dampen Cordner’s positive attitude.
“There was never a question of what I wanted to do, so no matter what was thrown at me I was going to overcome it to fulfil my dream to play in the NRL,” he said.
“[The injuries] took a lot out of me but I was fortunate to have family and friends help me to get through them.”
With Cordner being a talented player, he is destined for big things in the NRL, and has runs on the board – captaining the NSW U20’s side to an Origin victory, earlier this year.
“I’m getting more confident game by game. I always work hard at training where there’s no pressure on you, so I try a few things [such as pin-point accurate grubber kicks] and they seem to come off. When I get a bit more comfortable in first grade I hope to show some more skills.”