Wests Tigers have today signed two players to strengthen its roster for 2014.
Former Australian Schoolboy and Penrith utility Blake Austin has agreed to a two-year deal.
Experienced second-rower Cory Paterson will return to the NRL after signing a one-year deal with the hope of proving his value by the end of next season.
Paterson, 26, is currently playing for Hull KR in the English Super League after previous NRL stints with the Newcastle Knights and Nth Qld Cowboys.
Wests Tigers Coach Mick Potter said both players will be very good additions to the NRL squad.
At 22, Blake is a player with plenty of potential. He has a wide range of skills and his utility value will add plenty of depth to the squad, Potter said.
He can cover centre, half, five-eighth and lock and is also an excellent goal kicker.
Cory is a big strapping back-rower who can break the line and also offload the ball. He is an experienced NRL player who still has plenty to offer.
He is playing very well for Hull KR but his wife is extremely homesick. Cory is coming back for a chance to re-establish himself in the NRL. His experience will be invaluable to some of our younger back-rowers.
Blake Austin
DOB: 1/2/1991, Parramatta
Junior Club: Doonside
Position: Centre, half, five-eighth, lock
Height: 187cm
Weight: 98kg
Rep Honours: Nil
NRL Debut: Penrith v Canberra, Canberra Stadium, 27/8/11 (Rd 25)
NRL Career: 15 games, 2 tries, 8 goals, 24 points.
Cory Paterson
DOB: 14/7/1987, Perth
Junior Club: South Perth Lions
Position: Second Row
Height: 195cm, Weight: 101kg
Rep Honours: Indigenous All Stars (2010-12)
Previous Clubs: Newcastle (2007-11), North Queensland Cowboys (2011-12), Hull KR (2013)
NRL Debut: Newcastle v St George Illawarra, WIN Jubilee, Rd 2, 23/3/2007
NRL Career: 87 games, 26 tries, 12 goals, 128 points.
Hull KR: 14 games, 5 tries, 20 points.
Career: 101 games, 31 tries, 12 goals, 148 points.
Ends
Former Australian Schoolboy and Penrith utility Blake Austin has agreed to a two-year deal.
Experienced second-rower Cory Paterson will return to the NRL after signing a one-year deal with the hope of proving his value by the end of next season.
Paterson, 26, is currently playing for Hull KR in the English Super League after previous NRL stints with the Newcastle Knights and Nth Qld Cowboys.
Wests Tigers Coach Mick Potter said both players will be very good additions to the NRL squad.
At 22, Blake is a player with plenty of potential. He has a wide range of skills and his utility value will add plenty of depth to the squad, Potter said.
He can cover centre, half, five-eighth and lock and is also an excellent goal kicker.
Cory is a big strapping back-rower who can break the line and also offload the ball. He is an experienced NRL player who still has plenty to offer.
He is playing very well for Hull KR but his wife is extremely homesick. Cory is coming back for a chance to re-establish himself in the NRL. His experience will be invaluable to some of our younger back-rowers.
Blake Austin
DOB: 1/2/1991, Parramatta
Junior Club: Doonside
Position: Centre, half, five-eighth, lock
Height: 187cm
Weight: 98kg
Rep Honours: Nil
NRL Debut: Penrith v Canberra, Canberra Stadium, 27/8/11 (Rd 25)
NRL Career: 15 games, 2 tries, 8 goals, 24 points.
Cory Paterson
DOB: 14/7/1987, Perth
Junior Club: South Perth Lions
Position: Second Row
Height: 195cm, Weight: 101kg
Rep Honours: Indigenous All Stars (2010-12)
Previous Clubs: Newcastle (2007-11), North Queensland Cowboys (2011-12), Hull KR (2013)
NRL Debut: Newcastle v St George Illawarra, WIN Jubilee, Rd 2, 23/3/2007
NRL Career: 87 games, 26 tries, 12 goals, 128 points.
Hull KR: 14 games, 5 tries, 20 points.
Career: 101 games, 31 tries, 12 goals, 148 points.
Ends
