Eels duo to seize half a chance

TIM Smith and Brett Finch were the two most criticised players in rugby league last year - Smith for his erratic off-field behaviour and Finch for his inconsistent form.

Now the enigmatic pair have teamed up at Parramatta and vowed to put a tumultuous 2006 behind them as they look to strike up the most potent Eels halfback pairing in almost two decades.

Former rookie of the year Smith yesterday promised to distance himself from the off-field controversies that have dogged his short but brilliant career, while new five-eighth Finch is adamant he can re-find form and fire in season 2007.

"It was a tough last year but I did my best every game," said Finch.

"Sometimes you get the results and other times you don't. In 2003 and 2004 I didn't try any harder and the results went our way. I am ready for a big year and I feel I'm ready to play my best football."

While pledging to clean up his act, Smith, 21, revealed he had formed a close friendship with Finch.

"There won't be any more of that," Smith said of the off-field controversies.

"No more headlines, it's all in the past. I am focused on football and playing well for Parramatta.

"Finchy is a larrikin so we are getting on like a house on fire. We struck up a friendship from day one.

"On the training field it has been great. The talk is good and we communicate really well. I can't wait for the trials.

"We have been working out what our roles will be and what we do best.

"We have three weeks to go until the trials and it is working out well."

Finch said he had settled into the side well and was enjoying Smith's company.

"It is very enjoyable to train with Tim and the work we are doing together is going well," the 25-year-old said.

"We have to prove it in the games but so far all is good."

After playing several roles at the Roosters under former coach Ricky Stuart, Finch is looking forward to locking down the No. 6 jersey.

"It's great Hages (coach Michael Hagan) is behind me and it does give you some confidence," he said.

"I will be working hard to contribute to the team and help out."

Since the glory days of the early 80s, every halfback and five-eighth to line up for the Eels has had to live with the burden of comparison with the great Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling. Coach Hagan said he was wary of the expectation but hopeful the pair would be a formidable combination.

"The Eels have been successful at different times but we will be looking for some stability in the halves this year," Hagan said.

"They get on very well on the field and off the field. They are great mates already and are good characters to have around the place.

"They are typical of halfbacks and five-eighths – they liven things up and are really enjoying it.

"They are running the team and everyone is responding to them well at this stage.

"There is an opportunity for them to establish themselves as one of the dominant halfback-five-eighth pairings."