Throughout the season, members of our Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg side continue their development in club competitions, gaining valuable match experience in local first grade.
With the Flegg team having their second consecutive bye this weekend, rather than resting, some of our players have laced up for their respective clubs, keeping warm before their next opportunity to put on the orange, black and white.
As the Jersey Flegg side continues to develop, playing time in local club football provides an important opportunity for players to stay conditioned and gainmore exposure in senior competition.
Whether returning from injury, maintaining match fitness, or pushing for selection, this experience is a key part of the Club’s development pathway.
Second-rower, Peter Taai will suit up for the Campbelltown City Kangaroos this Sunday against East Campbelltown Eagles at Waminda Oval.
A local junior, Taai first played for the Kangaroos in the U12s, under Wests Tigers Head of Recruitment, Shannon Gallant, alongside several teammates who have progressed through the Club’s pathways system.
Taai, who’s had some injury setbacks this season, is ready for his return to the field
“It’s all God’s plan, you know, I’ve just got to stay focused and keep training hard,” he said.
“I’m keen to get this week done, get my game fitness and contact in, and earn my spot back for (the Tigers) next week.”
He was also excited about the opportunity to play alongside a fellow member of that U12s side and Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg team member, Glassie Glassie.
Although excited, Taai is honest about the change in competition.
“It changes a lot, the standard, the game changes heaps. First grade is more physical,” he said.
“I love playing against the older guys because of the physicality.”
Second-rower, Jack Biles has also split his season between Jersey Flegg and local club football, turning out for the Ryde-Eastwood Hawks in the Sydney Shield.
"Flegg is fast, you're competing against some of the best up-and-coming juniors," he said.
"In Shield, it's a tough and respected competition, going up against men."
"They both challenge me in different ways and help me to improve my game."
Biles enjoys the encouragement he gets from his teammates at Ryde Eastwood.
“They’re really welcoming when you come back and play with them,” he said.
“They say, ‘we’d love to see you back next week, but we also hope you don’t come back.’”
Wests Tigers Pathways Coordinator, Brad Speechley also plays for the Camden Rams and took on Jersey Flegg forward, Denzel Schaafhausen-Mino in the Campbelltown Collegians First Grade side last weekend.
Speechley says it’s a great opportunity for these players.
“It gives our players game time and also more exposure to open grade football,” the captain-coach said.
“Going up against these boys is a unique way of seeing what they can do on the field.”
With all Wests Tigers sides on a bye this weekend, fans are encouraged to support their local clubs and watch several of the Club’s current and Pathways players in action.
The Jersey Flegg and Knock-On Effect NSW Cup sides will return to action next Sunday when they face the Bulldogs at Lidcombe Oval.
