Wests Tigers have today confirmed three player movements with Dylan Smith, Sam McIntyre and Thomas Mikaele to join the club's Top 30 NRL squad in 2019.
All three players were part of the club's Development squad in 2018, which sees the players train full-time with the NRL squad but are not eligible to play first-grade.
With their promotion to the Top 30 NRL squad from the Development squad, all three players will be eligible for first-grade selection from the 2019 season onwards.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe congratulated the trio on their hard work and development throughout the year.
"Dylan, Sam and Tom have been a great success as Development players in their first year at Wests Tigers," said Pascoe. "They have all worked extremely hard since arriving at the club last year and have progressed a long way both on and off the field.
"We are pleased to welcome them in to the Top 30 squad now as eligible first-grade players and look forward to seeing them contributing in the future for Wests Tigers."
Wests Tigers General Manager – Football Kelly Egan said Smith, McIntyre and Mikaele would be an asset for the club's NRL squad in the coming season.
"This is an exciting time at Wests Tigers and we're looking forward to seeing how these three can continue their development and contribute throughout the year," Egan said.
"Dylan, Sam and Tom each bring something different to the squad, and having another full pre-season under their belts will certainly help them in the season ahead."
All three players will begin pre-season training with the NRL squad in November.
PLAYER PROFILES
Dylan Smith
Date of Birth — 23rd April, 1999
Position — Fullback
Junior Club — Endeavour Sports High School
Rep. Honours — Australian Schoolboys (2017)
Sam McIntyre
Date of Birth — 20th March, 1998
Position — Second Row, Lock, Centre
Junior Club — Port Macquarie Sharks
Thomas Mikaele
Date of Birth — 11th January, 1998
Position — Front Row, Lock
Junior Club — Goodna Eagles
Rep. Honours — QLD U/20's Emerging Maroons (2018), QLD U/20's (2017), AUS Schoolboys (2015-16)
