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Eagles star relieved he decided to stay put
SHEFFIELD Eagles star forward Matthew Whitaker admits he took his time about deciding to stay at the club.
Whitaker was one of the outstanding players last year with his performances earning the Players' Player of the Year Award - voted on by the other members of the squad.
But with a number of his friends leaving the club, it seemed Whitaker was heading for a swift exit after less than a season.
Coach Mark Aston kept open the offer of a contract and the 26-year-old former Castleford, Halifax and Widnes back- rower signed.
"When the lads with whom I travelled from Leeds left - Danny Mills and Adam Hayes - it was a big thing. That was the only thing that raised a lot of questions," said Whitaker.
"But I just wanted to play and I didn't want to be a journeyman and I wanted to do another season at Sheffield and Mark was really good for me last season and stood by me so I came back."
Whitaker made a massive impact last season after a couple of years blighted by injury and rebuilt his career at Don Valley.
He played in only 16 games but his consistent performances earned him the player's award.
He said: "I'd struggled with injuries over the years with having both knees reconstructed and it was good to get back playing at Sheffield.
"I didn't expect anything - I just came to Sheffield and played but it was nice to get that award and I was really shocked."
Whitaker will be one of the front-runners for the loose-forward role but because of his delay in signing has not been given the 13 squad number.
"I think I was one of the last to sign - it's only a number," he says.
He will be playing in a pack that looks stronger than last season but there have been big changes.
Whitaker added: "We have lost quite a lot of talented players and I don't know some of the lads who have come in and we'll have to see what happens when we come out on the pitch.
"The pack seems pretty strong, we've got Papua New Guinea's Trevor Exton coming in - we're strong up front. I just like to see consistency, people playing well every week."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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