Blake Ayshford signed.

[Rich102]

Experienced centre Blake Ayshford is joining the Vodafone Warriors on a two-year contract for the 2016 and 2017 NRL seasons.

The 27-year-old counts 124 NRL appearances in total so far, 104 for Wests Tigers from 2009 to 2013 and 20 for the Sharks in the last two seasons.

Vodafone Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden said Ayshford had all the qualities the club was after as it continues to realign its NRL squad.

“We’re undergoing a thorough process of reshaping our NRL squad for next year and beyond,” he said.

“While we’re always seeking to create depth and competition, we have also identified the need for more experienced and durable players with the level of professionalism we’re after.

“Blake will bring those qualities to the club. He has been on the NRL scene for several seasons now and has demonstrated just what we need from our signings.”

A product of the NYC’s foundation season in 2008, Ayshford has generally been used in the centres during his career but also has some NRL experience on the wing, at standoff and loose forward.

He played in two finals campaigns with the Tigers in 2010 and 2011 including the play-off the Vodafone Warriors won 22-20 en route to making the 2011 grand final.

BLAKE AYSHFORD

Date of Birth: April 15, 1988
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Junior Clubs: Paddington Tigers, Coogee Wombats
Position: Centre
Height: 190cm
Weight: 100kg
Rep Honours: Nil
NRL Debut: Wests Tigers v Brisbane, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, May 22, 2009 (Round 1)
NRL Career: 124 appearances, 2009-2015
Wests Tigers: 104 appearances, 2009-2013
Cronulla: 20 appearances, 2014-2015
NRL Points: 136 (34 tries)

Warriors email

 

[Skinner]

Good signing I think.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Yup, no complaints.

 

[MKEB...]

I am not too sure what to make of this signing TBH. He ripped us a new one by himself with the tigers, but from memory he had Ropati marking him. Think injuries might have crueled his pace. I suppose that means Allwood is a defo gonna now. I dont think that he did too much wrong.

 

[Iron Lion]

Shades of John Carlaw in this signing. Player I hope is hungry to prove he still has value.

 

[jaseg]

Would have preferred Bryson Goodwin, who I still think would be the slam-dunk signing (given what's on the table) at outside back, but I'm fine with this.

Someone like an Ava Seumanafagai next? (determining position/rough profile of target given the rumours we were chasing - and subsequently missed out on - Mark Nicholls).

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Fairly ordinary player, good for depth in a Jono Wright sort of way.

 

[TheDMC]

Yep ordinary player, at least on attack. But hey if he can read the play and tackle well then that's what we need..

 

[JJ]

I'm hoping they keep Allwood, looks ok when he gets a game

Yeah, Ayshford ain't brilliant, but he's week in week out better than Kata or Hurrell

 

[jamaman]

at least has nrl experience.. with RTS , Issac and Shaun he might light up!

 

[Rebel]

1 RTS 2 wright 3 Ashford 4 fusitua 5 vatuvei.

Would still like us to sign Goodwin. Or chase Stanley

 

[Penrose Warrior]

1 RTS 2 wright 3 Ashford 4 fusitua 5 vatuvei.

Would still like us to sign Goodwin. Or chase Stanley

That 1-5 is potentially a terrible defensive outfit. RTS aside, all four have defensive nightmares in their game. Wright was shocking v the Dogs in the last round and leaves his wing too often - is a better defensive centre. Ashford from what I've been told is just as bad. Fusi got exposed in the couple of games this year and Manu was good outside Laumape but struggles with an inexperienced/poor defender inside him.

All I've heard on Ayshford is that he's the Tigers and Sharks offcut for a reason. Sharks fans in particular have nothing but disdain for him. He starred in the 9s and hasn't played a single game this season.

Hope Wayne Smith sorts him out.

 

[lafai]

I guess it's an alright signing given all that's happened.

 

[ozbash]

prefer Konnie tbh...

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

That 1-5 is potentially a terrible defensive outfit. RTS aside, all four have defensive nightmares in their game. Wright was shocking v the Dogs in the last round and leaves his wing too often - is a better defensive centre. Ashford from what I've been told is just as bad. Fusi got exposed in the couple of games this year and Manu was good outside Laumape but struggles with an inexperienced/poor defender inside him.

All I've heard on Ayshford is that he's the Tigers and Sharks offcut for a reason. Sharks fans in particular have nothing but disdain for him. He starred in the 9s and hasn't played a single game this season.

Hope Wayne Smith sorts him out.

He played 4 games this season.

Aside from the elite just about every outside back has a defensive nightmare in their game, especially when fans isolate individual games and never let it go.

Guys like Manu and Hurrell who consistently do the same mistakes week after week are the issue.

 

[Iafeta]

I'm hoping they keep Allwood, looks ok when he gets a game

Yeah, Ayshford ain't brilliant, but he's week in week out better than Kata or Hurrell

lol, in what alternate universe do you get that?? The bloke plays reggies not because he's overweight or has a terrible attitude (he has neither of those problems), he play reggies because he's a hack who hasn't performed in about 4 years. Woeful, woeful signing. Seriously, is Andrew McFadden given carte blanche now to sign woeful plodders because it gives him some sense of security ala Johnno Wright? What next, Scott Coxon?

 

[vvvrulz]

Could be a good signing because we need a few dependable 'solid' options on the park.
If he gives us that, then great.

We're carrying far too many loose cannons to threaten top eight.

 

[vvvrulz]

I hope he's not another Danger or Plod Lowrie though, god knows we don't need that.

 

[Iafeta]

Which is what he is. Infact, I'd say Lowrie and Neilsen were superior players.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

prefer Konnie tbh...

Me too

Hope Koni sees this signing as a wakeup call and ups his game and keeps these Aussies (allwood, Wright Ayshford in NSWarriors)