Sheffield Eagles: Chip-off-the-old block Broadbent praised for '˜moment to cherish'

The recent defeat against Leigh will be a game that most with a Sheffield Eagles persuasion will want to forget '“ with perhaps the exception of one individual.
Blake BroadbentBlake Broadbent
Blake Broadbent

Youngster Blake Broadbent had a moment that he will certainly cherish after bagging a debut try in the second-half at the OLP.

Broadbent – the son of legendary former skipper Paul – missed out on a debut after being selected on the bench against Swinton, but he grasped the opportunity a week later, when most in red and gold were left to lick their wounds following a punishing defeat.

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After coming through the Eagles now defunct youth setup, Broadbent returned to the club following stints at Castleford and Oulton, as Aston offered him a way back after a successful trial.

“He is a young kid who could have been lost to the game,” said Aston.

“He got on the bench at Swinton and I didn’t play him because it was a tight game. As it happened Shaun Pick pulled out before the Leigh game so Blake gets another chance to come in.

“He is a local lad who has come through our system. It means a little bit more to them. He went out there and he got involved.

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“Is he ready to play at this level? Not quite, we know that, he is still developing, but the way he celebrated that try says it meant something to him.

“It certainly meant something to me because he will now always remember his debut.

“I bet his Dad didn’t score a try on his debut for Sheffield Eagles. He will always have that over his Dad.”

Broadbent is one of a clutch of home grown performers that are with, or have recently returned, to the Eagles.

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The latest to come back is Paddy Burns, another who went elsewhere after the Eagles lost their academy setup.

“Paddy is one of my lads, he has come through our system just like Blake,” added Aston.

“We still have Greg Burns, Ryan Millar and Cory Aston has come back this season.

“Blake is a good kid, he works hard and he wants to progress. He wants to be as good as he can be.

“People like that are the players that I want to work with. We can build something with them, he is only going to get better.

“His Dad will be as proud as punch as well.”