A “very confident” Daine Laurie believes this shall be his finest season but as he chases a brand new cope with the Wests Tigers.
Laurie loved a breakout season in 2021 which earned him a nomination for the RLPA’s Players’ Champion award and backed it up with the Tigers’ Players’ Player honour in 2022.
But the 23-year-old expects his recreation to go to carry once more this season, declaring to foxsports.com.au: “I reckon this will probably be one of my best years.”
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He’s put that right down to the arrival of fellow former Panther Charlie Staines, who’s an alternative choice at fullback.
“Me and him have been swapping in and out, I’ve been doing a little bit at five-eighth and he’s been doing a bit of wing,” Laurie stated.
“It’s good to have him there, it keeps me on my toes. It’s friendly competition and it’s only going to make both of us better.”
The additional push has come at time too given Laurie’s contract expires on the finish of the season.
He’s flying excessive with confidence heading into his third full NRL season and hopes that may assist him safe a brand new cope with the membership.
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“I just want to get results with the team first and hopefully play some good footy and get a little contract extension… ‘Sheensy’ (coach Tim Sheens) and ‘Waz’ (recruitment manager Warren McDonnell), hopefully they sign me up again.”
“I’m happy to let the footy do the talking.
“This has probably been one of my best pre-seasons that I’ve had, especially with ‘Stainsey’ here and all the boys pushing for positions. I reckon this will probably be one of my best years.
“I’m feeling very confident and can’t wait to show it.”
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Laurie is tipped to put on the No.1 jersey in Round 1, however outdoors of Staines he nonetheless has some scorching competitors in little-known rookie Jahream Bula — who performed Jersey Flegg for the Tigers final season.
Sheens informed The Sydney Morning Herald final month that Bula “will be a kid who comes out of nowhere,” and Laurie can also be anticipating large issues from him this season.
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“He’s been carving up,” Laurie stated.
“He can play Flegg this year but I reckon you’ll see a lot of him in (NSW) Cup and you never know you might see him play first grade.”
It’s contemporary faces like those who have lifted the temper round coaching and has “all the boys smiling” after what he conceded was a “tough” 2022 season.
Laurie famous the “aggression” of veteran prop David Klemmer and “control” of hooker Api Koroisau — each new recruits — as large additions for the crew, whereas including: “‘Ice’ (Isaiah Papali’i) is a wrecking ball so adds a bit of flair to the edge.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au