SHEENS LIKES WHAT HE SEES IN MULLANEY
By Wayne Cousins
Friday, 9 October 2009
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The emergence of Jake Mullaney will see him push hard for the NRL full-back position in coming years according to coach Tim Sheens.
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Like many, Sheens has been impressed by Mullaney’s debut season in the Toyota Cup which saw him win the Wests Tigers U20s Player of the Year Award.
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Sheens will monitor Mullaney over summer when he will be given an opportunity to spend some time training with the NRL squad. Mullaney is still eligible for the Toyota Cup next season.
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“Jake has got speed and anticipation. He is an intelligent kid that needs to physically mature. I have seem him grow up this year and he has been going well.
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“He can change a game. He knows where to be. The try that he set up for Robert Lui and the one he scored in the grand final shows the kid knows how to play the game.”
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In a memorable season, Mullaney scored 29 tries in 27 matches and kicked 103 goals for 322 points. He finished the year as the Toyota Cup’s leading pointscorer.
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Amazingly, 21 of his tries came in the last 10 matches, including a double in the controversial grand final loss to the Storm on Sunday.
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Mullaney’s red hot form has seen him being compared to former full-back Brett Hodgson for his ability to sniff a try, his support play, and his exceptional goal-kicking.
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Sheens said Mullaney’s form also helps covers the loss of Shannon Gallant to North Queensland.
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“Mullaney is probably the reason why when Gallant came to us and said he wanted to go, we agreed,’’ Sheens said.
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“When you have a kid like Jake coming through, we could afford to say to Shannon that if that is what you want to do, take that option. In saying that, we wanted Shannon to stay at Wests Tigers but he chose to leave.”
In my assessment, Jake will be a good backup full-back in 2010\. After that, hope he pushes for the permanent no. 1 spot.