Eager to be even more Dangerous - Andrew 'Thumper' Eagers
by Micky Brock
As in many cases it was his parents that fostered his desire to play darts: “Yeah, growing up Mum and Dad played darts and I was always around them so I suppose it rubbed off on me.
“It was always around in the family and I just grew up with them and was a part of normality.
“Growing up everyone was throwing them and I just picked some up and started throwing them too.
“And when I reached 18-years old and was able to go into the clubs and give it a crack against the social players but it took a few years to get semi decent at it before I started to take it seriously.”
Although not one to base himself on another players style, he does admit to watching Gary Anderson closely: “I watched him and the way he brings the dart up to his eye, especially since I started wearing glasses when I play, from just 12-months ago, I feel it has helped me adjust to that.
“I feel it has helped me to improve and his is the first name that springs to mind.”
'Gerzy' is a Team Danger member that reached a semi-final on the DPA NSW Satellite Tour this year and started to fulfil the promise he has shown over recent campaigns: “100% being able to get that experience has helped me to believe I can do this, I can become a player who regularly goes deep into tournaments, but I realise so far that had been the only time in a DPA event.
“Knowing I can tackle tough games and win them is pleasing but I also know I need to concentrate throughout match's otherwise, with this standard of player, I can lose them.
“I need to get past that final four and into the final itself but it's easier said than done and mental toughness is as a part of it as anything else.
“I've had darts to get into final's but they've slipped mainly through a lapse in concentration more so than nerves to be honest and it's something I'm working on.”
'Thumper' is a player who takes advice on board and looks to a number of NSW players for that advice: “Without doubt I'm always eager to listen and learn the 'Big Fish' Dave Marland is always good to talk to.
“He's always around and I value what he has to say, as I do all constructive advice but definitely Dave is a bit of an inspiration to me and many other players on the circuit.
“Living in Matraville, an inner city suburb of Sydney, there is literally no darts around so another great lad to speak with is Dave Cairns, the former Scotland B player, and we get together and have some terrific workouts on the board.
“We play a few times a week and that is the only real practice we get and his advice is always welcome too.
“How they've dealt with being in finals and practice regimes can be invaluable and they give their time freely and to anyone who is prepared to ask them, both very approachable guys and great players and I cannot wait to crack that finals hoodoo and experience it for myself.”
Known for the pink shirt and flights, is there a reason behind it? “The reason behind the pink flights and shirt is purely that I think it takes a real man to wear pink,” he says laughingly before continuing: “Seriously, I like them and I wear a pink shirt because I think I look good in it and it honestly is as simple as that.”
Throwing a Tribal Weapon 23gram dart and approaching his 30th birthday, his best years are still ahead of him and without doubt he should be making finals in the not too distant future if his early promise and progression are anything to go by and if there are any potential sponsors out there, feel free to drop us a line and we'll certainly pass on the details.