RUGBY LEAGUE
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You would think picking up the first man-of-the match award of his career would ease the pressure on Dragons back-rower Will Matthews but the NRL's newest hitman says it's only upped the ante.
Matthews was outstanding in his first NRL match of the year against Brisbane producing a number of bruising hits and defence and providing 14 tough carries with the football in 80 minutes on the paddock.
The feat was made more impressive by the fact that injury and suspension had restricted the 27-year-old to just three games in the NSW Cup prior to earning the call up to replace the suspended Tyson Frizell.
"It's a little bit daunting I suppose because the team's going so well you don't want to let anyone down," Matthews said.
"That was a big motivation for me because we've been working really hard defensively so I just wanted to do my part for the team.
"You're always confident you can play well and I feel big games lift me to another level.
"It was very good for my confidence and it was a very important game for me."
After putting one over a Brisbane pack full of international's last week Matthews said Saturday's match in an Anzac Day cauldron of emotion will be an even bigger test for the resurgent Dragons pack.
"We're going to have to they're going to be pumped for a big game because they've lost three in a row," Matthews said.
"Hargreaves is out as well and when you lose a front-rower like that you know all the other guys are going to be pumped up.
"I didn't play last year but I played the year before and they're just massive games. It's hard to explain the feeling. There's a lot of emotion and it just seems to 'get' to everyone.
"With what you're playing for it's a huge honour to be out there."