**<big>Liam Fulton praises Wests Tigers team-mate Gareth Ellis</big>**
Christian Nicolussi The Daily Telegraph July 17, 2012 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/liam-fulton-praises-wests-tigers-team-mate-gareth-ellis/story-fnbh0bn2-1226427505130
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"GARETH Ellis has no body fat, he has an 'eight pack', will run for 200m and leave six players being taken off on stretchers. He has to be the best forward I've ever played with."
Seriously, that was the sensational rap Wests Tigers back-rower Liam Fulton paid teammate Ellis ahead of the Englishman's return next Monday against the Cowboys.
Fulton knows the 26-18 win over the Panthers on the weekend did little to prove the Tigers were well and truly back and ready to challenge for the premiership.
But with Ellis back on deck for the first time since he injured his foot in round five, the international forward loomed as the "X-factor" to help the Tigers in their charge towards September.
"I really can't wait to play with him this week and I am so happy he's back," said Fulton, as he watched Ellis complete a training session at Concord Oval yesterday.
"I've given him a big wrap, haven't I? But ask anyone and they'll vouch for that. He's just a champion bloke and hopefully he can contribute to the win (in Townsville).
"He's the kind of guy everyone wants to play with. When you're defending, you want to be standing next to him. He could be our 'X-factor' in the run home to the semis.
"We've got a lot to improve on, and while we won on the weekend, you can only say 'you're back' once you give one of the top-four teams a thrashing."
The Tigers face the daunting task of travelling to Townsville and taking on a Johnathan Thurston-inspired Cowboys, who are also in the thick of the finals race.
Prop Keith Galloway will miss the trip north because of a shoulder injury, but the return of Ellis - as well as the suspended Adam Blair, who is today likely to be named at prop - and the Tigers will feel confident about their chances in the tropics.
Ellis impressed club officials so much during his rehabilitation, new times and goals had to be created to keep up with his progress. The Pommy powerhouse has already declared his hopes of clinching a title before he departs the club at the end of the season.
Young forward Aaron Woods claimed the club could go all the way, despite clinging to eighth place and still a generous $13 premiership hope with TAB Sportsbet.
"One-hundred per cent, we'll be sweet," said Woods, as he smiled and then winked. "There's a good feel around here, we're a confident club, and this is our time of the year - the end of the year."
Ellis will come in handy in defence against a Cowboys team who have had no problems racking up big scorelines. Victory next week, along with a win over South Sydney the following week, and the Tigers will again be rated among the heavyweights.
Christian Nicolussi The Daily Telegraph July 17, 2012 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/liam-fulton-praises-wests-tigers-team-mate-gareth-ellis/story-fnbh0bn2-1226427505130
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"GARETH Ellis has no body fat, he has an 'eight pack', will run for 200m and leave six players being taken off on stretchers. He has to be the best forward I've ever played with."
Seriously, that was the sensational rap Wests Tigers back-rower Liam Fulton paid teammate Ellis ahead of the Englishman's return next Monday against the Cowboys.
Fulton knows the 26-18 win over the Panthers on the weekend did little to prove the Tigers were well and truly back and ready to challenge for the premiership.
But with Ellis back on deck for the first time since he injured his foot in round five, the international forward loomed as the "X-factor" to help the Tigers in their charge towards September.
"I really can't wait to play with him this week and I am so happy he's back," said Fulton, as he watched Ellis complete a training session at Concord Oval yesterday.
"I've given him a big wrap, haven't I? But ask anyone and they'll vouch for that. He's just a champion bloke and hopefully he can contribute to the win (in Townsville).
"He's the kind of guy everyone wants to play with. When you're defending, you want to be standing next to him. He could be our 'X-factor' in the run home to the semis.
"We've got a lot to improve on, and while we won on the weekend, you can only say 'you're back' once you give one of the top-four teams a thrashing."
The Tigers face the daunting task of travelling to Townsville and taking on a Johnathan Thurston-inspired Cowboys, who are also in the thick of the finals race.
Prop Keith Galloway will miss the trip north because of a shoulder injury, but the return of Ellis - as well as the suspended Adam Blair, who is today likely to be named at prop - and the Tigers will feel confident about their chances in the tropics.
Ellis impressed club officials so much during his rehabilitation, new times and goals had to be created to keep up with his progress. The Pommy powerhouse has already declared his hopes of clinching a title before he departs the club at the end of the season.
Young forward Aaron Woods claimed the club could go all the way, despite clinging to eighth place and still a generous $13 premiership hope with TAB Sportsbet.
"One-hundred per cent, we'll be sweet," said Woods, as he smiled and then winked. "There's a good feel around here, we're a confident club, and this is our time of the year - the end of the year."
Ellis will come in handy in defence against a Cowboys team who have had no problems racking up big scorelines. Victory next week, along with a win over South Sydney the following week, and the Tigers will again be rated among the heavyweights.
