HOOKER Mark Riddell will make his NRL return with Sydney Roosters after the former St George Illawarra and Parramatta cult figure rejected an offer from Wests Tigers in favour of the beaten grand finalists.
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Never one to follow a script, Riddell signed with the Roosters although he had already completed a medical for the Tigers, on the same day one of his former Parramatta teammates, Eric Grothe, also completed a shock manoeuvre, retiring from the game.
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Riddell, who returns to the NRL after two years with Super League champions Wigan, had an 11th hour rethink largely due to the likelihood he would have to play second fiddle to Tigers captain Robbie Farah, and might have to play Premier League.
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Thus Riddell, 30, will reunite with his former Eels coach Brian Smith, who took the Roosters to the NRL grand final this year, serving as back-up for Jake Friend.
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Riddell is more likely to get time on the park at the Roosters given that Farah is a proven 80-minute performer, while Friend is not.
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Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys was last night philosophical about losing out so late to his rivals. ''We wish him well,'' Humphreys said.
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Tigers coach Tim Sheens had been brutally upfront with Riddell, who cut short his three-year deal with Wigan to be closer to his ill mother, telling him he might be forced to play for Balmain or Wests while Farah was fit and playing 80 minutes.
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Riddell's about-face was not the sole surprise yesterday. Grothe's abrupt retirement has left Parramatta without another outside back as his move follows the inevitable departure of troubled centre Timana Tahu.
