TPJ is tickled pink to be joining the Bulldogs:
“I love the roster they are building. I’ve heard a lot about Trent and the way he sees the game. David Furner signed me when I was a young boy at Newcastle to go to the Raiders."
“Having him there looking after my defence and holding me accountable, then having Trent Barrett who is one of the greatest attacking minds in the game, it was an easy choice for me to go to the Dogs. The attraction of working with Gus and him working his magic with the roster, I think it’s going to be back to being a strong club again. It’s a big club, and once big clubs get rolling they are hard to stop. With Gus back, there’s only good days ahead.”
“I won’t live too far away from Sonny. I will be making sure I’m living around good people. Sonny is a good influence on me. In this time in my life I want to be around good people and strong-minded people.”
“It’s nothing against the Tigers. I just felt the roster the Bulldogs were building suited me. I’m sure the Tigers will build. They have a great coach in Michael Maguire that’s won a comp as a coach. Not many coaches can say they’ve gone to the big dance and won. I’m sure that they’ll find good players and build a good team. Michael Maguire and Adam Hartigan (Wests Tigers football manager) are good fellas. But at this time in my career I feel the Bulldogs are the best for me with their roster and coaching staff.”
“I thought it was all dead and buried. But I spoke to Ivan and Cameron Ciraldo and wanted to strike something. I told them I was willing to come. I know they have a strong team already. I’m glad I got the consent of the Broncos and Bulldogs. They’ve been helpful letting me go to a club like the Panthers. I think it will be a good for my development."
“I didn’t want to leave. I’m shattered I have to leave, but that’s footy. Sometimes you get the tap on the shoulder and you have to make way. They said it would be best for both parties. Ben Ikin is a nice fella. I got to know him for a few weeks. It was different not seeing him on my screen every night. Both him and Dave Donaghy have been great to me. I’m happy they get what they want and I get what I want, which is an opportunity to work with Gus and Trent in Sydney.”
“It was such a hard time in 2018, knowing which side to take. Do you take the side of the CEO and what they’re trying to achieve? Or do you take the side of the best coach in the game and someone who I came to this club just to be coached by?"
" It was sad the way it ended with Wayne. He’s one of the greatest coaches. He knew how to coach me. I wouldn’t say I’m different, but he knew how to get the best out of me. But at the end of the day it’s up to me to put in consistent performances. Payne Haas has had three different coaches, but his performances don’t waiver. That’s what great athletes do, when there’s adversity they can still play great footy.”
“I don’t think it’s too much of a risk for Penrith. If it’s a small role off the bench or if it’s just helping out at training running shapes for the reserve grade team - I’m just happy to help out and learn, man. I want to learn off the great players they have like Nathan Cleary and the great coaches like Ciraldo and Ivan.”
McHunt
www.smh.com.au
