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THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN
By Wayne Cousins
Friday, 6 November 2009

Wests Tigers players returned to Concord Oval today to begin preparations for the 2010 Telstra Premiership.

The NRL squad gathered for a series of tests and information sessions. It was also a chance for new signings Jason Cayless, Mitch Brown, Geoff Daniela, Mark Flanagan, Junior Moors, Arana Taumata and Tame Tupou to meet their new team-mates.

For lock Liam Fulton and utility Daniel Fitzhenry, it was a case of re-acquating themselves with some of their former team-mates.

Wests Tigers Football Operations Manager Alan Mair said it was pleasing to see the players back in the new state of the art gymnasium designed by High Performance Manager Steve Folkes.

“The players underwent endurance, strength and skin folds tests,’’ Mair said.

“They all came back with satisfactory results. Our new players really applied themselves well. The players will start full-time training next week under Assistant Coach Peter Gentle and Steve Folkes.”

Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys said one of the top priorities for 2010 was to improve the depth of the NRL squad.

“To this end, we expect to have a full-time squad of 34 players in 2010 along with six additional players who will train full-time over the off-season,’’ Humphreys said.

“If you think about our squad as 40 players, 11 of that squad played in the successful U20s side in 2009. It is great to see so many of our young players earning places in the top squad.”


Wests Tigers 2010 NRL squad:

Aaron Woods
Alan Schirnack
Andrew Fifita
Arana Taumata
Beau Ryan
Benji Marshall
Blake Ayshford
Blake Lazarus
Bryce Gibbs
Chris Heighington
Chris Lawrence
Daniel Fitzhenry
Gareth Ellis
Geoff Daniela
Jason Cayless
Jason Schirnack
Junior Moors
Junior Roqica
Keith Galloway
Liam Fulton
Mark Flanagan
Matt Hyland
Mitch Brown
Nu Akeripa
Robbie Farah
Robert Lui
Simon Dwyer
Tame Tupou
Taniela Tuiaki
Tim Moltzen
Todd Payten
Willie Mataka

Full-time Off Season squad
Rhys Curran
Josh Davis
Chris Corby
Rhys Pritchard
Jake Mullaney
David Fifita

 
Posted by Robin ,K, at 21/11/2009 03:36 PM
Thanks Corey and Danny for your contribution in season 2009 and welcome to our new Tiger platoon of 2010..Tigerman through and through since 1975 running around the kunai grassland in wewak (png) Was in Australia 2005 and got my reward for the 30 years, Guys I cant wait to go for the second final victory in 2010...Youth, talent, speed and size. Who is going to stop us......See you come grand final day.
Posted by glenn roche at 16/11/2009 08:50 AM
huge patriotic congratulations to Tim & Royce for getting the Aussies home in the 4 nations over in the u.k. A high quality game for 60 minutes. Thoroughly enjoyable and great to have quality international league to watch again. I'm certain Royce & Tim have learned a bit from the quality players coached in the Aussie squad & I am looking forward to those new found skills being further developed and added to the Wests Tigers artillery for next season. If consistency is achieved and team harmony is maintained this side has massive potential. Certainly a top four position looms likely and another huge tilt at the 2010 premiership.
Posted by Tigerjoe at 13/11/2009 12:48 AM
Looking bigger & stronger for 2010-bring it on!! just one concern.. where is that player featured on the photo gallery in Rd26? NSWRL Player of the year?alocal junior?? 100% winning record for the Weststigers? did he get snapped up by another team after the grand final? hope not.Tigers to win!
Posted by Sven at 11/11/2009 08:31 PM
Happy with the team just 1 reservation I hope Fitzhenry is strong and fit and runs the ball harder than he did in previous seasons. Go Tigers.
Posted by ello at 11/11/2009 06:13 PM
It certainly looks like a great 2010 ahead. I still remain so disappointed that the mighty mouse's talents and the club agreed to let him go.
Posted by tim m at 11/11/2009 04:53 PM
what a fantastic lineup do we really need to spend big bucks on tuqiri with the talent coming through ? moltzen has to be half..
Posted by Timi at 11/11/2009 03:11 PM
I personally hope they dont go after Tuqiri, would be too expensive and wouldnt add much with an already strong backline, look at the price Brisbane paid for Folau, and dont forget fitzhenry is available too. I was curious about the new signings (Taumata, Daniela, Moors, Flanagan and Brown), can anyone fill me in on their preferred positions
Posted by kim may at 11/11/2009 09:39 AM
The squad is ggggrrrreeeeaaaattttt. It looks like a great season with the boys for 2010. Go Tigers!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Craig in Mackay QLD at 11/11/2009 12:03 AM
I am very much looking forward to 2010. The tigers have great depth,big forwards,pace, Steve Folkes & new CEO Steve H.Hopefully Lima is on board as well soon. It is a very well balanced side now & half will be either Moltzen or Tamata. Mark Flanagan is an excellent player & goal kicker according to my mates in Wigan. He is an excellent tackler & with Fulton defence will be tight & tough around the rucks.Also my contacts in Penrith tell me Junior Moors is a great talent as well as the Fifita bros so we have blend of experience/youth all around. Go the Mighty WestsTigers in 2010.
Posted by fuzzie at 10/11/2009 04:01 PM
Well, this Tiger fan is excited with list of 38....bolstered with the two unconfirmed wow ,come on 2010 LOL......GO TIGERS
Posted by tiger 79 at 10/11/2009 08:50 AM
Well done guys I'm excited for next year, lets go!!!!!!
Posted by tcogger at 10/11/2009 12:41 AM
For mine the jury is still out over Tame Tupou...He has to prove himself first.I was a critic of Beau Ryan earlier in the year but i must admit at the end of the season, he was scoring some great tries.My only reservation is that he runs the ball back way too meekly and could do with some more speed.Other than that the squad looks strong.Cogger
Posted by Lee at 09/11/2009 08:24 PM
Cheers to Danny and Corey for 100% effort at the Tigers good luck Lads. Its great to see Steve Folkes on board for 2010. The boys will be super fit next season. He will instill a bit of mongrel into the pigs. Can't wait for 2010 go tigers
Posted by baz pooley at 09/11/2009 06:39 PM
Johhny B, you're absolutely right. Corey and Danny should be thanked for their contribution to the club. They always put in a solid effort when playing with the Tigers but, with the new signings, they were never going to further their career at Wests Tigers. We wish both players well.
Posted by Johnny B at 09/11/2009 04:49 PM
It seems apparent that most of us are sad to see Danny Galea go. Unfortunately there's been no 'wishing him the best' on the website as was with Dene Halatau when he signed with the Bulldogs. There's been absolutely no word about Corey Payne except when he did the bike ride for charity recently. I think the boys should be applauded and thanked for the contribution they made to our team while they were here.
Posted by snoopy at 09/11/2009 03:55 PM
The team looks great, also it is good to see the 6 boys from under 20s training in the off season with the team.
Posted by Brad R at 09/11/2009 03:35 PM
Whilst Danny Galea had a good season for the Tigers, Sheens and co are obviously looking at other second row options, so I wish Danny all the best at the Raiders. The squad looks pretty impressive and I am hoping that Lima does come on board. The Tigers should be focussing on signing Tuiaki to a longer term deal rather than worrying about Tuqiri as a fully fit Tupou will cover the other wing spot and there is no shortage of fullback contenders already at the club so Tuqiri is better of getting the big bucks from rugby.
Posted by paul at 09/11/2009 03:33 PM
Looking at the prospects for the Wests Tigers team for 2010 ,I am getting really excited about the team that the tigers are putting together. Lote Tuqiri would be the best buy for the Tigers at fullback and should he be fit and willing to play, should fit into the team nicely. I am renewing my membership for 2010 season. The games should be real interesting to watch as the Tigers now have multiple rep players in Benji Marshall , Robbie Farah and Gareth Ellis and others. Its sad to see Danny Galea go however Liam Fulton and Daniel Fitzhenry are back, so cuts had to be made and I think we got a pretty sweet deal. I'm just waiting for the nail biting action and the intensity the Tigers will provide will surely be something special. I just hope i am not proven wrong. Go Wests Tigers , My Dad and I are supporting you all the way.
Posted by Northcote Tiger at 09/11/2009 02:46 PM
As Scott C noted, there are 38 players listed (not 40) so I reckon there are 2 more signings due. Maybe Jeff Lima plus one? I don't see Tuquri being affordable and in 7 seasons of rugby with the Waratahs, he averaged under 4 tries a season!. It'd be nice to see Beau Ryan get more credit - his tries per game average is that of a top winger and he has bags of skill. The forward pack looks very good, particularly with the youngsters coming through the ranks.
Posted by coralie at 09/11/2009 01:04 PM
Do you all believe that we will still acquire Lote Tuqiri ! I think he's gone for good,he's talking about Rugby in Fiji, so I think we still have a long way to go to get him ! Other than that the player list for '10 looks pretty good, so bring on the season ! Go Tigers
Posted by mark hancock at 09/11/2009 11:28 AM
If Sheens doesn't put Moltzen in at halfback from the start of the season, he wants his head read.
Posted by Oz at 09/11/2009 07:56 AM
This squad looks great, hope we can add Lote & Lima, sorry to see Corey 7 Danny go and wish them the best, whee is David Gower - let us make sure we have Tim Sheens signed for next 5 years to continue his development of this team and the club.
Posted by Wendy at 08/11/2009 08:54 PM
Going by the list Tim & Royce has heaps of raw talent to work with,should be a great season, it is very sad to see we didnt keep Danny Galea and i wish him all the best with the Raiders. Im still not sure if Lote is going to play for us next year ? time will tell.
Posted by swede at 08/11/2009 08:42 PM
we do look like we have stronger backup if we get some serious injuries.
Posted by baz pooley at 08/11/2009 02:36 PM
An impressive line up for 2010. Encouraging to note that key positions 1, 6, 7 and 9 are pretty well covered with solid alternative selections available if injury intervenes to key players in those positions. Very impressed with the performances of young Chris Corby as number 9 in the U20's side. Andrew W's assessment that 29 players are ready to step up to the top team is spot on. Genuine depth at last in the squad and 2010.
Posted by mal at 08/11/2009 11:35 AM
Well we know Tuqiri wont be training with them until probably a week before game 1. Looks like the tigers should make the eight this year guys..... wooo de ja vu. anyway looks like there is a lot of depth. No problems if there are any injuries.
Posted by chris at 07/11/2009 11:22 PM
Im so upset that Danny has not been signed big loss but good luck with your career he will prob do what Bronson Harrison did and have a cracker of a year. But got some good players will be a great year next year looking forward to it. GO TIGERS!!!!!
Posted by skins at 07/11/2009 08:04 PM
The side is more than awesome....its fanTIGERtastic...!!! Skill, speed, and size... imagine the back 3... Tuqiri, Tuiaki and Tupou...just imagine the opposition kicker trying to think which of the back 3 will I kick it to on the 5th...hmmm...!!! I am indeed excited about 2010 :-)
Posted by fangers at 07/11/2009 04:56 PM
2010's already looking to be an exciting season. welcome BACK to the boys and also welcome to the new guys. hope you have a cracker of an off-season, and we can't wait to start next year! blake lazarus: hope u can play a full season next year, don't hurt yourself again!! =] c'mon boys, it' time to step up
Posted by steve at 07/11/2009 11:09 AM
This side is awesome !
Posted by ROGER at 07/11/2009 11:01 AM
I'm so excited for 2010. go the powerhouse of the TIGERS.
Posted by Glenn in Brisvegas at 07/11/2009 07:25 AM
Good looking squad ..on a personal level Corey and Danny sorry to see you guys go.
Posted by Andrew Watson at 07/11/2009 06:39 AM
Great to see some real depth this year. Out of this squad, there is 29 players who are ready to step up into A-Grade if Injury or Form determines. As to another signings, it looks like you will all just have to be patient...
Posted by magpie rob at 06/11/2009 10:17 PM
Good pick up Scoot C. 39 is Lote and 40 is Jeff Lima, haha. all the best to corey and danny.
Posted by Scott C at 06/11/2009 07:46 PM
Has anyone else noticed there is only 38 players listed... not 40? :)
Posted by Chris.w at 06/11/2009 07:44 PM
It's sad to see the old players go, but that list is pretty potent- best of luck Corey and Danny.
Posted by Nicholas R.W. Henning at 06/11/2009 07:03 PM
The listed players have unlimited potential! No longer is size or speed an issue for the Wests Tigers. Tuiaki may miss the start of season, as he recovers from injury, but I like the idea of Tuiaki and Tupou on the wings. Just one more T...Tuqiri, and the team will be TTT! Arana Taumata will play his best rugby league with the Tigers. I offer a friendly bet, that for the first few rounds of the season, all the media will say how surprised they are by the Tigers' success, and by the end of the season they will all be saying what a great team the Tigers are, as minor premiers and grand final winners!
Posted by mark at 06/11/2009 06:09 PM
Danny has signed with the Raiders and Corey has been released. I know they were very good but hey, the players they have brought, well it speaks for itself. Well done Mr Sheens.
Posted by Johnny B at 06/11/2009 05:20 PM
Where's Corey Payne, Danny Galea and David Gower? Please advise...
GearZone
2009 Players One Community Christmas Party
2009 Players One Community Christmas Party
©
09/Dec/2009
Wests Tigers players Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton, Robert Lui and Andrew Fifita took part in the 2009 Players One Community Christmas Party at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, December 9.view