Tim Sheens’ Tigers have reportedly signed former Bulldogs half Brandon Wakeham on a one-year deal after he was let go by supremo Phil Gould.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 24-year-old signed his contract on Monday and can turn out to be a alternative ought to considered one of Luke Brooks of Adam Doueihi undergo an damage.
Experienced coach Sheens reportedly noticed sufficient in Wakeham’s NSW Cup performances final season handy him an NRL lifeline.
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Wakeham led the Bulldogs’ to the reserve grade closing, earlier than in the end being crushed by the Panthers 29-22.
The former Canterbury-Bankstown playmaker can ply his commerce at each halfback and at five-eighth and missed out on Fiji’s World Cup marketing campaign as a result of damage.
Wakeham joins a bunch of massive identify gamers who’ve made the transfer to Leichhardt, together with Isaiah Papali’i, Apisai Koroisau, David Klemmer and John Bateman.
STORM CHAIRMAN’S BID TO RETAIN ENFORCER
Storm chairman Matt Tripp has revealed he’s “desperate” to maintain entrance row enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the membership amid curiosity from rugby union.
The 26-year-old has a rugby union background and beforehand explored the opportunity of enjoying for the Wallabies, assembly with former coach Dave Rennie in 2021.
Asofa-Solomona‘s contract expires at the end of 2023 and Tripp is confident the hulking forward will remain in the purple jersey, despite no official negotiations taking place.
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“I love ‘Nels’ and it’s no secret I desperately need him to remain on the membership,” Tripp stated to The Daily Telegraph.
“I’ll be doing all I can to keep him. We are talking but there’s been no real movement.
“The impression he’s given me is that he wants to stay and I’ve got no reason to doubt that. It’s just a matter of working out how long for and what it looks like.”
Asofa-Solomona and Tripp have reportedly turn out to be shut and the Kiwi prop dyed his hair membership and orange final season in honour of Tripp’s daughter Bella, who tragically handed away final yr.
The prop’s worth additionally elevated in the course of the membership’s 2022 marketing campaign after getting used on an edge underneath Craig Bellamy, performing solidly and exhibiting his versatility.
TITANS CONFIDENT FIFITA WILL REMAIN
Superstar backrower David Fifita is about to shun the provides of rival golf equipment and re-sign with the Titans in an enormous coup for the Gold Coast membership.
The Raiders have been reportedly hoping to lure the 22-year-old to the nation’s capital in a package deal cope with companion Shaylee Bent.
However, in line with The Daily Telegraph, the pair will now determine their futures individually and the Titans are reportedly assured they’ll retain their gun edge ahead.
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Fifita’s big $1.25 million per-season contract is about to expire on the finish of the 2023 season and the Raiders and Dragons have been reportedly hoping to lure him away from the Gold Coast,
The backrower reportedly went so far as touring Canberra’s coaching floor and headquarters with Ricky Stuart.
The crew from the nation’s capital have been reportedly prepared to supply the previous Maroons ahead as much as $900,000.
As it stands, each Bent and Fifita may nonetheless land on the Raiders — however their choices received’t be depending on one another after Canberra powerbrokers have been in search of a recruitment drive much like that of Adam Elliott and Millie Boyle on the Knights.
Contract negotiations with the Titans have reportedly been ongoing for a number of months and chief government Steve Mitchell is assured that Fifita will stay on the membership.
“It’s hard to talk retention and recruitment but we’re hopeful for a positive outcome with David,” Mitchell stated.
“David enjoys the environment here but we’re under no illusions in regard to how much other clubs might want David given his capability.
“I think he enjoys the club and has a good environment here. He enjoys the coaching staff and playing group.
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“Dave’s been with us for a few years and we’d certainly like him to stay.
“He’s been good and is training well, he seems to be in a good place. The reports of his training have been strong and he’s put his head down and gone to work.”
The Titans had a disappointing marketing campaign in 2022, however with quite a lot of recruits together with Kieran Foran and Sam Verills, coach Justin Holbrook shall be determined to climb the ladder.
Verills, who made the transfer from the Roosters forward of the 2023 season, believes former Storm and Raiders enforcer Brett White will make a giant distinction after being employed as Holbrook’s assistant.
“We’ve brought in Brett White and he’s really taking control of the defensive side,” Verrills stated on Brisbane’s 4BC radio.
“We know what wins games and we’ve had a lot of meetings about it in the pre-season, and that’s obviously defence.
“We’ve worked really hard as a team defending together and hitting well.
“I looked at the forward pack and the likes of Tino, Dave Fifita and I played with Isaac Liu as well and it’s such a strong forward pack and I can really see myself playing well with these guys around me.
“We’ve got a really good opportunity this year ahead of us and it’s now just getting our combinations right at training which we have been lately.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
