NRL Recruit Watch: David Klemmer
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The NRL market has been in full swing for 2023 with several stars switching clubs ahead of the new season.
NRL.com takes a look at the major transfers and how your club will benefit from a star arrival.
- Player: David Klemmer (Wests Tigers)
- Age: 28
- Position they’ll fill: Prop
- Contracted until: 2026 (MO)
What Klemmer can bring
Former NSW and Australian Test prop David Klemmer arrives at Wests Tigers on a long-term deal after gaining a release from the final year of his contract at Newcastle.
It was a win-win situation for both parties with Klemmer looking to tie up his future and the Knights requiring a halfback in Jackson Hastings.
There is debate around who won out from the trade deal but in reality, it's a fairly even switch.
Wests Tigers are well-equipped in the halves with Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks set to be the first-choice playmakers with Klemmer's signing an astute one.
The 28-year-old is still one of the more dominant forwards in the game who can churn out big minutes and a heavy workload.
Klemmer finished 10th in most metres made by props in 2022, averaging 155 metres per game - a feat even more remarkable considering he was restricted to just 18 games in his final year at the Knights.
Why it’ll work
Wests Tigers need a feared leader of the pack and Klemmer is an immediate provider after a decorated career in the NRL.
He arrived at the Knights in 2019 exactly that and helped usher through the Saifiti brothers, who both went on to play State of Origin, coincidentally at Klemmer's expense on both occasions.
The side ranked 14th in 2022 for metres gained while their post-contact stats weren't too much better.
After losing former skipper James Tamou to North Queensland, along with forwards Luke Garner, Zane Musgrove and Kelma Tuilagi, the signing of Klemmer should be able to fix that.
The addition of Klemmer will also ease any pressure on Isaiah Papali'i and Api Koroisau to immediately help the club off the bottom of the ladder.
Together, the three bring representative experience and a willingness to win, which is bound to pay dividends and rub off on the rest of the squad, who are hungry for success.
