Eiden Ackland joins Wests Tigers for the 2025 pre-season on a training contract, with the New Zealand product leaving his role at a law firm behind.
After playing in the Warriors system as a junior, Ackland went on to play NSW Cup for the club, as well as at Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.
After a year of working full-time while still playing club football in New Zealand, the 26-year-old half is keen to impress upon his return to Australia with Wests Tigers.
“I was just looking to get back into higher levels of footy and after a chat with Richo, I got the opportunity to come over for a pre-season,” Ackland explained.
“I’ve played a bit of reserve grade at Manly and did a pre-season there, then went back to New Zealand.
“I did a season with the Warriors reserve grade and after working full-time for a bit, now I'm here.”
Ackland is a qualified lawyer, and after two years in that role back home, he does see some similarities between the two occupations.
“Well, there's absolutely zero physicality in law…,” he laughed.
“But the principles about being really detail-oriented, focusing on the little things and building good habits; it’s all helped me a lot.
“I was working at a place called Bell Gully back in New Zealand, which is one of New Zealand's biggest law firms and they're really big on pushing excellence and good habits, and you're surrounded by the best in the field.
“Although it's very different, a lot of the habits that you pick up there are quite translatable to footy.
For a young half growing up in New Zealand, an obvious inspiration is Kiwi legend and current Wests Tigers Head Coach, Benji Marshall.
Ackland was no exception in looking up to Benji and is relishing the opportunity to work under a childhood idol.
“Growing up in New Zealand, for every young Kiwi half, Benji Marshall and Shaun Johnson are the people that you just look up to.
“I still remember the ’05 Grand Final watching him do that flick pass and I used to have a big shirt with the ’05 Grand Final team on it with Benji's face square in the middle.
“That was probably my favourite top for about five years when I was a kid.”
“I got to hang around Shaun a bit when I was at the Warriors and now being coached by Benji, it’s pretty surreal.
At this stage of the pre-season, Eiden isn’t looking too far ahead but has a clear focus on bettering himself.
“I just want to get better every day and don't want to set these big, large goals.
“I’m really competitive and I’d like to think I’m pretty tough as well.
“I just want to focus on every session, getting better every day.”
