Maroons debutant Trent Loiero will return to Suncorp Stadium next week as an Origin player, filled with lessons learnt and a desire to be better.
The last time the Storm lock played at the venue was during a dramatic golden point loss to the Raiders in Magic Round, where he gave up two crucial late penalties, including one right in front to the sticks to hand Canberra their win.
The performance was a blip from one of the Storm’s best performing forwards this season, who has been enjoying career-best form since moving from the edge into the middle at the start of last season.
While he will be called on to bring the right amount of aggression to the pack in Game One, Loiero said he’d learnt his lessons from the Canberra game and was looking forward to taking to the field.
“(Aggression) always been there, it might have just come out a bit more in the past few weeks … I've learnt my lesson (from the Raiders game),” Loiero said.
“I think aggression's good, but as long as it's controlled aggression, so from two weeks ago, I've learnt my lessons and Wednesday night we'll be ready to go.
“I'm going to be looking to put my best foot forward this week and really enjoy the week, soak it all up and Wednesday night I'll be ready.
“I think that's your job as a utility player is to bring energy and bring a bit of spark, so I'll definitely be looking to do that.”
Loiero’s Melbourne teammate Cameron Munster has also been known to also hold a fiery temperament in the past and said he knew the work the Italy-eligible forward was doing to keep things in check.
“We're really happy for him to be able to play for Queensland, his mum and dad will be so proud, and he's got a bit of fireworks in him too, so we probably need a little bit of that in our team, and I'm sure he'll bring a lot of aggression come Wednesday,” Munster said.
“(Controlling that aggression) is a hard one.
“When you go out there, you always want to play with passion and aggression, but you don't want to go over the line and I guess sometimes when you're playing against teams and they have game plans about trying to get under your skin and some blokes do that; it's not ideal, but sometimes you get in that mode, and that's what pressure does to you, you know?
“So, he'll learn from that Canberra game.
“I spoke to him about it.
“I've been in the highs and lows of the rugby league and I've definitely had the feeling that he's felt and just wanted to give my support to him (after that game).
“All he can do is just keep playing good footy like he has, and he he can prove all the critics wrong.
“I'm very happy for him and his family, and I can't wait to see him run out there.”
Named as 18th player in Game Three last year, it’s been a quick progression for Loiero to get his first proper chance at Origin who has been able to work closely with Slater on his game at the Storm.
“Getting to come in here last year was an eye opener and to see what it's all about and learn off all the boys is something I'm very grateful for,” the Kawana Dolphins junior said.
“I guess it made me very, very hungry … (and) to want to represent Queensland and I went away and tried to have a big offseason, pre-season.
“Been chipping away at my craft and to be able to get the call up; just very proud and excited.
“Pretty lucky that Bill obviously lives in Melbourne and he's in around the club a fair bit and can be a bit a bit more hands on with us Melbourne boys and be able to coach us a bit more than fellows at other clubs.
“To be able to have him there and give me little tips on what I could be doing better each game and each week, has been massive for my game this year.
“For me, coming into the NRL I started on playing back row, and last year was my first year in the ruck and I was happy with my year last year.
“I am still finding my feet a little bit, (working) a little bit of ball playing … and my game awareness too.
“I've been working on just a bit more study, studying teams, studying individual players and I feel like that's put me in a good stead to be able to be playing some good footy.
“I guess I'm very lucky to be in the Melbourne Storm system with such a great coach and great players, you look at our spine, you've got Munster, Paps [Ryan Papenhuyzen], Hughesy [Jahrome Hughes] and Harry [Grant], and to be able to play alongside them and sort of pick their brains week to week, I'm very lucky and I think that's been a big help in my development.”
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
