Wests Tigers re-sign Thomas Mikaele

[Geo]

Wests Tigers re-sign Thomas Mikaele
Author
Wests Tigers
Timestamp
Tue 24 Aug 2021, 01:30 PM

Wests Tigers are pleased to announce that forward Thomas Mikaele has signed a contract extension with the club.

The one-year extension will see Mikaele remain in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2022 NRL season.

A Goodna Eagles junior, Mikaele joined Wests Tigers’ pathways program as a teenager — progressing through Keebra Park High School before linking up with the club’s Jersey Flegg and Development teams in 2017.

Named in the Junior Emerging Maroons squad, Mikaele would make his first-grade debut for Wests Tigers in Round 1 of the 2019 season — playing in 23 of a possible 24 games throughout the year to be named the club’s Rookie of the Year.

Since his debut, Mikaele has gone on to feature in a total of 58 games for Wests Tigers.

The 23-year-old said he was pleased to continue his career with the club.

“I’m glad to be able to stay on with Wests Tigers and the group we have here,” Mikaele said.

“I’ve really enjoyed growing with the young boys we’ve got here and the way we’re building together. I’ve grown a lot since coming into the NRL and really want to continue to improve on my consistency and discipline moving forward.

“I’ve been a part of this club for a long time now and it’s great to keep that going.”

Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire said he had been impressed with the forward’s development and continued improvement since his debut.

“Tom is really growing in his experience and his understanding of what it takes to be a consistent first-grade player, which is great to see,” Maguire said.

“He has worked really hard recently to take his game to a new level and we’re very excited to see him continue to take those next steps in his game in a Wests Tigers jersey."

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe congratulated Mikaele on his new deal.

“On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to congratulate Tom on his new deal and commend him on the fine young man he is — both on and off the field,” Pascoe said.

“Tom has been a part of the Wests Tigers pathways system for a number of years now and it’s pleasing to see that journey continue into the 2022 season.”

After missing last week's game with suspension, Mikaele will return for Sunday's Round 24 clash against the Penrith Panthers at Redcliffe.

 

[hobbo1]

….Meh 😑

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

I wonder how many times he dropped the pen in the process

 

[cochise]

1 year deal I think is fair

 

[mikey]

He's got potential - just needs to realise it like many in the squad.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Says to me that there's no props on the horizon being added to the squad.

Not enthused by his re-signing.

He runs hard but lacks basic handling skills and is prone to give away an error at the worst of times, usually deep in our own half or when executing on our opposition try line.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Says to me that there's no props on the horizon being added to the squad.

Not enthused by his re-signing.

He runs hard but lacks basic handling skills and is prone to give away an error at the worst of times, usually deep in our own half or when executing on our opposition try line.

Needs some Bread hands

 

[Demps]

Great news 🙌

 

[jadtiger]

Pleased to have him again

 

[TigerSJ]

Mikaele has some definite qualities but needs to be smarter and more focused. If he can do that and get his game up to a solid 40 mins with no missed tackles and mistakes, he could be a really solid bench prop that can break the line and bring some mongrel.
In light of the recruitment options available to us I think re-signing him short term is a smart move.

 

[Telltails]

It's all there just has to put the work in.

 

[ElleryHanley]

Mikaele averages 85 meters a game and a meagre 1.1 tackle busts a game...

Plays a good game once a month.

I.e. he is the prototype wests player. Underwhelming stats and inconsistent.

Hoping he improves, but he has had a lot of chances now without showing much. He will 24 start of next season, most of his rookie class have gone way past him.

 

[Madge]

I don’t think Mikaele and Nofoaluma understand how much of a difference it would make if they just ran straight and hard. I wasn’t going to be too fussed if we didn’t re-sign him. He lacks footy IQ as most our team does and has hands like feet. Has potential but he’s going to have to really crank it up a bit if he wants to reach the heights Utoikamanu is heading to.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I wonder how many times he dropped the pen in the process

Its why he only got 1 year, each time cost him a year of a traditional 5yr contract.

 

[ElleryHanley]

I don’t think Mikaele and Nofoaluma understand how much of a difference it would make if they just ran straight and hard. I wasn’t going to be too fussed if we didn’t re-sign him. **He lacks footy IQ** as most our team does and has hands like feet. Has potential but he’s going to have to really crank it up a bit if he wants to reach the heights Utoikamanu is heading to.

That is a great point...footy IQ.

And I really think it is a deep seated issue that no one really wants to address.

We have a ton of blokes who are athletes and have made their way this far based on size and power...but really have little footy nous at all. None are "footballers" in the real sense.

Nofa being a classic example. Mikaele very similar. We have 2/3 of the team like that.

 

[getagrip]

Says to me that there's no props on the horizon being added to the squad.

Not enthused by his re-signing.

He runs hard but lacks basic handling skills and is prone to give away an error at the worst of times, usually deep in our own half or when executing on our opposition try line.

Glad it was only for a year for the reasons above. I am not convinced he can turn it around but he now has a year to try.

 

[hobbo1]

Wow
This threads reached lofty heights

 

[WT2K]

Meh. Thankfully it's only one season.

 

[hobbo1]

Who did we beat to get his signature?

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

I’m ok with a year see if he can work on his issues