Written by Tony Adams, April 5, 2015
rugbyleagueweek.com.au
THE Tigers have targeted strike players in the key spots of centre and back row as areas they will chase new talent in for 2016.
“We have assessed our team and the market and feel that centre and back row are spots we could strengthen,” Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer says.
“We have some good players in those spots but you are always looking to improve and add depth.”
The Tigers will have money to spend next season and are only a couple of players off being a side capable of breaking into the top four in the next two years.
Mayer declined to name which players the Tigers would target but there are several class centres coming off contract, including suspended Rabbitoh Kirisome Auva’a, Melbourne’s Mahe Fonua, long-serving Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall, the Sharks’ Ricky Leutele and Souths veteran Joel Reddy.
Kenny-Dowall, moved to the wing by the Roosters following the signing of Blake Ferguson, is certain to be in hot demand.
Fonua was a regular in the top grade last season but has been unable to split the Will Chambers-Kurt Mann combination in the early rounds and is languishing in the Intrust Super Cup with Easts.
There are also a host of back-rowers off contract, headed by Sharks skipper Paul Gallen, Panthers Lewis Brown and Sika Manu, Bronco Alex Glenn, Souths rookie Chris Grevsmuhl, impressive Cowboy Ethan Lowe and Brisbane’s Sam Thaiday.
There has been speculation the Broncos may not be keen to retain Thaiday but the 29-year-old is unlikely to leave Queensland with his young family.
The Tigers also have some fine talent coming through the ranks. Mayer holds high hopes for Holden Cup centres Watson Heleta and Marion Seve. Both are products of the Tigers’ nursery on the Gold Coast, Keebra Park High School.
“They are a couple of very exciting young talents and once they develop and mature a little, could both be handy NRL players,” Mayer says.
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rugbyleagueweek.com.au
THE Tigers have targeted strike players in the key spots of centre and back row as areas they will chase new talent in for 2016.
“We have assessed our team and the market and feel that centre and back row are spots we could strengthen,” Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer says.
“We have some good players in those spots but you are always looking to improve and add depth.”
The Tigers will have money to spend next season and are only a couple of players off being a side capable of breaking into the top four in the next two years.
Mayer declined to name which players the Tigers would target but there are several class centres coming off contract, including suspended Rabbitoh Kirisome Auva’a, Melbourne’s Mahe Fonua, long-serving Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall, the Sharks’ Ricky Leutele and Souths veteran Joel Reddy.
Kenny-Dowall, moved to the wing by the Roosters following the signing of Blake Ferguson, is certain to be in hot demand.
Fonua was a regular in the top grade last season but has been unable to split the Will Chambers-Kurt Mann combination in the early rounds and is languishing in the Intrust Super Cup with Easts.
There are also a host of back-rowers off contract, headed by Sharks skipper Paul Gallen, Panthers Lewis Brown and Sika Manu, Bronco Alex Glenn, Souths rookie Chris Grevsmuhl, impressive Cowboy Ethan Lowe and Brisbane’s Sam Thaiday.
There has been speculation the Broncos may not be keen to retain Thaiday but the 29-year-old is unlikely to leave Queensland with his young family.
The Tigers also have some fine talent coming through the ranks. Mayer holds high hopes for Holden Cup centres Watson Heleta and Marion Seve. Both are products of the Tigers’ nursery on the Gold Coast, Keebra Park High School.
“They are a couple of very exciting young talents and once they develop and mature a little, could both be handy NRL players,” Mayer says.
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