Canberra raided as younger Cornish leaves for Roosters
THE Canberra Raiders may have locked up Toyota Cup halfback Mitch Cornish for the long term, but his younger brother Tyler looks set to fly the coop after being offered a deal by the Sydney Roosters.
Despite being named in Canberra's under-20s squad for next year, the 17-year-old Tyler will travel to Sydney to meet officials from the Bondi Junction club today.
Mitch is rated one of the finest halves prospects in the country, and is contracted with the Raiders until the end of 2014.
Goulburn Bulldogs player Tyler was named the under-18 division one best and fairest this season, and Mitch believes a change of scenery could kick-start his career.
''We talked about his different options, but at the end of the day this is probably an opportunity he can't throw away,'' Mitch said yesterday.
''If he stayed in Canberra they wouldn't be able to offer him half of what the Roosters have, and he probably wouldn't get as many games next year.
''The deal they've thrown at him is more than I've got when I first signed, for a 20s player it's a good contract.''
While Mitch is a typical organising halfback, Tyler is a running five-eighth who could end up at centre or fullback in the future.
The Raiders are brimming with young halves, and Braith Anasta's move to Wests Tigers next year means the Roosters are looking to bolster their playmaking depth.
''I think that's what he mainly looked at with all the young halves Canberra has got, he just thought it's probably the way to go,'' Mitch said.
''I've always said if someone was going to play first grade out of myself and him, it'll be him.
''He's not a freak talent-wise like an Anthony Milford, but in the long run his work ethic will get him to first grade, I have no doubt about that.''
