Aladinsane
New member
Christian Nicolussi: January 15,Source: The Daily Telegraph
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KEITH Galloway is ready to become the first Tigers prop in nearly 20 years to lead NSW into Origin battle - and a Blues legend is backing him to get there.
Galloway, 24, was considered close to a certainty to break into the Blues outfit last season before a knee injury.
As he stepped up his pre-season training with the Tigers yesterday, Galloway was driven by thoughts of emulating Steve "Blocker" Roach by becoming a NSW enforcer.
"The time is right for Keith [to play Origin]," Roach said.
"And I couldn't be happier he's a Tigers man. These days you probably need 50 or 60 games before you find your feet in the front-row. Keith has done that and matured.
"He knows he can do it and I'd love to see him there. He plays straight up the middle and does the same job every week. I enjoy watching him play. Good on the Tigers for sticking with him. They put money in the bank early by getting him across from Cronulla
Galloway's season statistics were better than three of the four NSW hitmen, with the exception of Poore, to further enhance his prospects.
Roach was the last Tigers front-rower to play for the Blues in 1991, while Paul Sironen packed down in the second-row until 1994.
Galloway, who has played 99 NRL games, spoke openly and confidently about trying to take his game to that level.
"I was pretty happy with my form last year and I'm hoping to build on that this year," Galloway said.
"It was disappointing the injury came when it did, but I feel like I've got better with each year.
"I thought I was a hope of Origin last year. If I didn't make it I wouldn't have been too upset, but at the same time I know I would have handled it if I was there. That is my goal this year - to go one better at representative level."
Galloway had left knee surgery mid-season and had more work done after pulling up scratchy at season's end as he trained with the Kangaroos' train-on squad.
Packing down with a classy Tigers pack, including English international Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington and Jason Cayless, will only help Galloway's cause.
Interestingly, Galloway and Roach both welcomed the prospect of Willie Mason potentially adding further grunt up front for the Tigers.
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KEITH Galloway is ready to become the first Tigers prop in nearly 20 years to lead NSW into Origin battle - and a Blues legend is backing him to get there.
Galloway, 24, was considered close to a certainty to break into the Blues outfit last season before a knee injury.
As he stepped up his pre-season training with the Tigers yesterday, Galloway was driven by thoughts of emulating Steve "Blocker" Roach by becoming a NSW enforcer.
"The time is right for Keith [to play Origin]," Roach said.
"And I couldn't be happier he's a Tigers man. These days you probably need 50 or 60 games before you find your feet in the front-row. Keith has done that and matured.
"He knows he can do it and I'd love to see him there. He plays straight up the middle and does the same job every week. I enjoy watching him play. Good on the Tigers for sticking with him. They put money in the bank early by getting him across from Cronulla
Galloway's season statistics were better than three of the four NSW hitmen, with the exception of Poore, to further enhance his prospects.
Roach was the last Tigers front-rower to play for the Blues in 1991, while Paul Sironen packed down in the second-row until 1994.
Galloway, who has played 99 NRL games, spoke openly and confidently about trying to take his game to that level.
"I was pretty happy with my form last year and I'm hoping to build on that this year," Galloway said.
"It was disappointing the injury came when it did, but I feel like I've got better with each year.
"I thought I was a hope of Origin last year. If I didn't make it I wouldn't have been too upset, but at the same time I know I would have handled it if I was there. That is my goal this year - to go one better at representative level."
Galloway had left knee surgery mid-season and had more work done after pulling up scratchy at season's end as he trained with the Kangaroos' train-on squad.
Packing down with a classy Tigers pack, including English international Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington and Jason Cayless, will only help Galloway's cause.
Interestingly, Galloway and Roach both welcomed the prospect of Willie Mason potentially adding further grunt up front for the Tigers.
