-
FOR Wagga teenager Tim Hurst, Southcity coach Daniel Fitzhenry is the gift that keeps on giving.
After delivering the Bulls to their first Group Nine premiership in September, the former NRL star picked up the phone to his previous club and mentioned Hurst’s profound ability.
Taking Fitzhenry’s advice, the Wests Tigers invited the 18-year-old Bulls second-rower to trial for its Toyota Cup squad - and the rest is history.
Recognising his potential, the Tigers offered Hurst a two-year contract for the upcoming season, to which he gladly accepted.
Speaking yesterday, Fitzhenry said Hurst’s work ethic and raw talent would have been hard to surpass.
“He’s a good young kid, you know, he trains hard and tough so I put through a few phone calls for him and got him a few trials but that was it,” he said.
"He did the rest himself.
“Obviously he played well and they could see that potential in him and they’ve signed him for a few years.”
Capping off a year of incredible success including a Group Nine premiership and a Hardy Shield championship with Mater Dei Catholic College, Hurst’s NRL ambitions are fast becoming a reality.
Pre-season training with the Tigers is well under way, and Hurst has already made the move to Sydney to begin his rugby league career.
Having been through the same process with the Tigers almost a decade ago, Fitzhenry knows Hurst will need to give the opportunity every ounce of effort.
“The squad is about 30 or 40 kids at the moment so he’ll still fighting for his spot but I think he’ll give it a good go,” Fitzhenry said.
"He played second row for us this year and I think they’ll look at him for that once he starts to put on a bit of weight.
"He’s a big tall kid he’s just got to fill out a bit more and they’ll probably have him playing the front row or at lock.
“Because they’ve signed him for two years means they see his potential.”
Hurst joins the long list of rugby league talents recruited from the Riverina for the upcoming season including Jordan Shephard (Melbourne Storm) and Brody Rigg (St George Illawarra). -
Well done Fitzy, and welcome aboard Tim.
-
Awesome. Now everyone can relive the Fitzy debates by proxy through this kid! In all seriousness I wish Tim all the best this season and let’s hope Fitzy has an eye for talent.
-
One of the things i love about League is hearing about new young talent, watching them develop in the junior grades amd seeing them make their first grade debu. Fingers crossed he turns out to be a star! Good luck Tim.
-
Awesome. Now everyone can relive the Fitzy debates by proxy through this kid! In all seriousness I wish Tim all the best this season and let’s hope Fitzy has an eye for talent.
Any error he makes is Fitzys fault.
-
Welcome Tim and good luck!
-
At least fitzhenry didn’t say ‘he reminds me of myself’
-
welcome to wests-tigers Tim.
glad to see that former players have no hesitation in contacting wests-tigers about future prospects.
Mark O’Neill did it when recommending big Gareth Ellis, and now Fitzy with Tim Hurst.
-
Very good young talent in Wagga and surrounds, great to read that Fitzy is keeping the Wests Tigers updated with some good young talent coming from the area.
-
Competition for backrow spots in the Tigers NYC this year is very fierce, there’s some real talent in the squad and hopefully Hurst makes the cut.
-
Great to see Fitzy still helping the club. Hope Wagga is being kind to him.
-
welcome to wests-tigers Tim.
glad to see that former players have no hesitation in contacting wests-tigers about future prospects.
Mark O’Neill did it when recommending big Gareth Ellis, and now Fitzy with Tim Hurst.
ray cashmere also recomended jack spencer so it shows the relationship with the club is still good even after they leave
-
welcome to wests-tigers Tim.
glad to see that former players have no hesitation in contacting wests-tigers about future prospects.
Mark O’Neill did it when recommending big Gareth Ellis, and now Fitzy with Tim Hurst.
ray cashmere also recomended jack spencer so it shows the relationship with the club is still good even after they leave
Treat your players well and Karma returns to the club!!!
-
welcome to wests-tigers Tim.
glad to see that former players have no hesitation in contacting wests-tigers about future prospects.
Mark O’Neill did it when recommending big Gareth Ellis, and now Fitzy with Tim Hurst.
ray cashmere also recomended jack spencer so it shows the relationship with the club is still good even after they leave
Treat your players well and Karma returns to the club!!!
I like the karma idea as long as the reverse doesn’t apply.
-
Well after the 05 GF they all said they would be brothers for life
Seems like they are still all brothers for life
Good luck Tim work as hard as possible and hopefully your dreams will come true
