Blake primed to make rapid return from shoulder surgery

Waqa Blake is hoping coach Brad Arthur picks him for Thursday night's 2020 season opener against the Bulldogs because the Eels centre says he's ready to play.

Blake is just over the 16-week mark in his predicted four to six-month recovery from a shoulder reconstruction to his right joint.

The Fijian speedster dislocated it during last October's World Nines.

"My recovery has been fairly rapid. But that just shows how everybody has been working hard," he told NRL.com.

"For me personally this is my second shoulder operation so I knew what to expect and try to get ahead of the game on a few things.

The 25-year-old missed both Parramatta's trial games against South Sydney and his old club Penrith, but he said he was "close" for the Bega match.

"I thought I was close but at the same time I don't want to put myself forward too early.

"Brad kept reminding me it's a long season and he's talked to me about that. I had the operation about the middle of October but week by week I've been making strides."

So much so that Blake's shoulder was highly scrutinised in Monday afternoon's training session at the Eels' new Kellyville headquarters ahead of Arthur naming his side on Tuesday.

"I'm available at the moment. I've got to see how the shoulder feels tomorrow (Tuesday).

"I've still got one or two boxes to tick off so if not this week, then definitely next week," he said.

"Hopefully I get the nod but there's a lot of players that have been training very well in my position so every spot is up for grabs. That's another thing I've got to worry about."

Jaemon Salmon and Brad Takairangi have been filling in at right centre.

Little surprise that after several long-term injuries at the Panthers before he switched mid-season last year to the Eels, that Blake wants some clear water.

"My goal this year is to try and stay injury free. I've had my fair share of troubles.

"Last year at Penrith I was sort of up and down so I want better consistency this year as well.

"I feel I've found my way again here so I just want to step further away from the past and just keep going."

The key to finding his way again was the move to the Eels.

"Just the fresh start, new environment – BA (Brad Arthur) has been really good to me and so have all the players."

Blake can also cement his spot in a fairly stunning back five of fullback Clint Gutherson, wingers Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson and centres in himself and Michael Jennings.

"So for myself I just want to add to that back five by being consistent. I think we can go a long way that back five," Blake said.

Michael Jennings agrees.

"We have a very powerful back five with Waqa, Blake, Maika, Gutho and myself," Jennings said.

"It's a got a good all-round feel to it. But while it looks good on paper we've got to perform on the field."

And that's what is driving 31-year-old Jennings, who extended to 2021.

He's signed on for a 14th and 15th NRL season but Jennings can't guarantee he'll get that far, even though he's just 22 games from reaching the 300 NRL-game milestone.

"I just want to leave something behind for when I finish," Jennings told NRL.com.

"It all depends on the body. I know I'm in the back end of my career so this could be my last year or even next year.

"I just want to leave a standard for the future kids coming through in that backline.

"So while a little sentimental, I've still got that hunger. I'm still a very competitive person even if my hair is showing my age.

"I'm just letting it go – the grey is all out there now. I won't rinse it."