Melbourne Storm's Blake Green spent his youth pestering a modern Parramatta great, he'll look to bother a new batch of Eels when the NRL teams clash on Sunday.
Green grew up in a house opposite former Eels captain Nathan Cayless and often bugged him to come out and kick the footy.
Spending plenty of time at the club as a ball-boy, he also loved stalwart Nathan Hindmarsh.
Green went on to make his first grade debut for Parramatta back in 2007, before playing for the Sharks, Bulldogs and in England before the Storm.
"I always looked up to them as a kid growing up, they were pretty special players to me," the five-eighth said on Wednesday.
"I've got good memories of the place, because I'm a Parramatta junior I did a lot of my training as a kid there so I'm looking forward to getting back there."
Green isn't the only player who likes Pirtek Stadium, as it's known, with the Eels boasting a formidable record at home, winning 11 of their past 14 matches there. They've beaten the Storm in four from five matches at Pirtek since 2008.
"They're a very good team at home," Green said.
"Irrespective of their position on the table it's going to be a tough one for us."
The Eels have had a rough start to 2015, sitting 15th. While their home record is impressive, according to Fox Sports Stats they've only won six from 35 away from Parramatta.
But with the Storm upset by last-placed Manly last round, they won't rest on their lofty third-placed status.
"They're very athletic and powerful and are able to offload the ball really well," Green said.
"They play really good off the cuff so momentum is going to be a big thing for us and trying to control some of their big guys.
"They've been inconsistent but when hit they hit the button they've been very good."
Share
