Media Watch: Wests Tigers rebuild takes shape with Ivan Cleary making big moves in player market
May 8, 2017 4:10pm
by STAFF WRITERS
Source: FOX SPORTS
WESTS Tigers have started splashing the cash to rebuild the club following the devastating departures of Aaron Woods, James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses with Dragons prop Russell Packer the club’s latest big money target.
Reporting for NRL Tonight, Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper has revealed the Tigers have tabled a massive four-year-deal in an attempt to lure Packer to Concord to join close mate Ben Matulino in the front row for 2018 and beyond.
“The Tigers have tabled a four-year-deal worth about $700,000-a-season,” Hooper told NRL Tonight.
“The Dragons are only offering a three-year-deal.”
St George Illawarra’s offer is understood to be worth about $100,000-a-season less than the Tigers’ offer, giving Cleary the inside running to secure one of the NRL’s best redemption stories.
According to Hooper, the Tigers are also continuing their chase of out-of-favour Warriors utility Tui Lolohea, and have secured two Super League signings.
Hooper said the Tigers had finalised deals to bring former Storm centre Mahe Fonua and former Bulldogs winger Corey Thompson to the club for 2018.
Bulldogs star Josh Reynolds and the Warriors’ Matulino have already been announced by the Tigers after Cleary moved quickly to replace his three big name departures.
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COWS JOIN LOLOHEA RACE
Wests Tigers have some competition for Warriors utility Tuimoala Lolohea with North Queensland firmly in the race for his signature.
Fox Sports NRL reporter Nathan Ryan revealed on Tomorrow’s News Tonight that both clubs have tabled offers to the former Kiwi Test star, believed to each be two-and-a-half years in length.
“The Cowboys have joined the table late,” Ryan told TNT.
“Lolohea is meeting with his management tonight to go through his options. We could have a decision as soon as (Tuesday) morning.”
Having recently been granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs after falling out of favour with the Warriors, Lolohea is now flush with options.
Caught playing the Mr Fix It role for much of his 52 game NRL career, the 22-year-old has played wing, fullback and five-eighth over the course of his four appearances in first grade this season.
But he hasn’t been sighted at NRL level since round four.
The young gun met with Tigers coach Ivan Cleary while in camp with the Tongan Test side in Sydney last week.
As revealed by foxsports.com.au, Lolohea is viewed by the Tigers’ decision makers as the ideal candidate to take James Tedesco’s No.1 jersey next year.
Lolohea is expected to make a call on his future this week and the Tigers are the frontrunners.
Heavily in the club’s favour is his relationship with Tigers-bound prop Ben Matulino and the fact he does have some family residing in Sydney.
While it’s been reported Newcastle have also entered the race, foxsports.com.au understands they made little more than an inquiry into the status of his contract and have decided not to table an offer.
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