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Illawarra Mercury 26/2/08
NRL 2008 CLUB x CLUB: WESTS TIGERS
MR SHEENS THE SHINING LIGHT IN TIGERLAND
Extending their deal with the most experienced coach in the NRL provides Wests Tigers with a good foundation for their 2008 campaign, writes Luke Keenan.
Former St George Illawarra halfback Matthew Head describes working under Tigers coach Tim Sheens as "a dream come true".
Sheens, who boasts a record 544 top-flight games as a mentor, has coached sides to four premierships.
His last was in 2005 - rising from the dead after a dismal five-year stint with North Queensland - when an unheralded Tigers outfit upset the Cowboys to claim the title.
But the 57-year-old has not had it all his own way since. His troops suffered from a grand final hangover in 2006, finishing 11th, and ended ninth last year.
But Sheens is regarded as a master tactician and having signed on for another two seasons, the mood is buoyant in Tigerland.
"It's been pretty musch a dream to be coached by him", Head said.
"He's coached some great halfbacks in his time. He's had Ricky Stuart, Greg Alexander and Scott Prince, so if I can be half as good a player as they were, then I'll have a pretty good career.
"He knows what he's on about. He's got a lot of respect from all the players. I've learned a lot so far."
Head is desperate to secure a starting berth for his side's season opener against the Dragons on March 16.
Head split from the red and whites in the middle of last year, joining English Super League club Hull.
But keen to re-establish himself in the NRL, the former Dapto junior signed with the Tigers earlier in the year.
"It's going to be a special day and hopefully I'm raring to go for that game and hopefully I'm in first grade", Head said.
"I'll look forward to playing against my old mates.
"And Brownie (Dragons coach Nathan Brown) knows my good points and bad points so it's going to be a big test."
But Head is no certainty to secure a starting spot, especially with John Morris also at the Tigers.
"I suppose it just all comes down to trial form", Head said.
"It's always good to have competition in all areas. I suppose some clubs don't have competition in the halves. It's a good thing for us."
Head admitted he had enjoyed his time at Hull, which included playing in the Super League finals.
"I really enjoyed it - played some good footy", he said.
"The knee felt fine there, which was always the problem when I was back here at the Dragons, but I'm over that now."
Superstar Benji Marshall is a key ingredient in any success the Tigers are likely to have.
But another man who is equally important is hooker Robbie Farah.
"With the likes of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Brett Hodgson here it's a great team and I'm sure we can go a long way", Head said.
TOP LINE-UP: Hodgson, McDonnell, Collis, Lawrence, Tuiaki, Marshall, Morris, Fulton, Harrison, Heighington, Payten, Farah, Gibbs. Res: Halatau, Te'o, O'Hara, Head.
OTHERS: Nick Youngquest, Keith Galloway, Corey Payne, Todd Bridge
TAB SPORTSBET: $26
LAST THREE YEARS: Ninth, 11th, Premiers
ONE TO WATCH: Former Dragons halfback Matthew Head is out to re-establish himself as an NRL first grader with the Tigers.
NRL 2008 CLUB x CLUB: WESTS TIGERS
MR SHEENS THE SHINING LIGHT IN TIGERLAND
Extending their deal with the most experienced coach in the NRL provides Wests Tigers with a good foundation for their 2008 campaign, writes Luke Keenan.
Former St George Illawarra halfback Matthew Head describes working under Tigers coach Tim Sheens as "a dream come true".
Sheens, who boasts a record 544 top-flight games as a mentor, has coached sides to four premierships.
His last was in 2005 - rising from the dead after a dismal five-year stint with North Queensland - when an unheralded Tigers outfit upset the Cowboys to claim the title.
But the 57-year-old has not had it all his own way since. His troops suffered from a grand final hangover in 2006, finishing 11th, and ended ninth last year.
But Sheens is regarded as a master tactician and having signed on for another two seasons, the mood is buoyant in Tigerland.
"It's been pretty musch a dream to be coached by him", Head said.
"He's coached some great halfbacks in his time. He's had Ricky Stuart, Greg Alexander and Scott Prince, so if I can be half as good a player as they were, then I'll have a pretty good career.
"He knows what he's on about. He's got a lot of respect from all the players. I've learned a lot so far."
Head is desperate to secure a starting berth for his side's season opener against the Dragons on March 16.
Head split from the red and whites in the middle of last year, joining English Super League club Hull.
But keen to re-establish himself in the NRL, the former Dapto junior signed with the Tigers earlier in the year.
"It's going to be a special day and hopefully I'm raring to go for that game and hopefully I'm in first grade", Head said.
"I'll look forward to playing against my old mates.
"And Brownie (Dragons coach Nathan Brown) knows my good points and bad points so it's going to be a big test."
But Head is no certainty to secure a starting spot, especially with John Morris also at the Tigers.
"I suppose it just all comes down to trial form", Head said.
"It's always good to have competition in all areas. I suppose some clubs don't have competition in the halves. It's a good thing for us."
Head admitted he had enjoyed his time at Hull, which included playing in the Super League finals.
"I really enjoyed it - played some good footy", he said.
"The knee felt fine there, which was always the problem when I was back here at the Dragons, but I'm over that now."
Superstar Benji Marshall is a key ingredient in any success the Tigers are likely to have.
But another man who is equally important is hooker Robbie Farah.
"With the likes of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Brett Hodgson here it's a great team and I'm sure we can go a long way", Head said.
TOP LINE-UP: Hodgson, McDonnell, Collis, Lawrence, Tuiaki, Marshall, Morris, Fulton, Harrison, Heighington, Payten, Farah, Gibbs. Res: Halatau, Te'o, O'Hara, Head.
OTHERS: Nick Youngquest, Keith Galloway, Corey Payne, Todd Bridge
TAB SPORTSBET: $26
LAST THREE YEARS: Ninth, 11th, Premiers
ONE TO WATCH: Former Dragons halfback Matthew Head is out to re-establish himself as an NRL first grader with the Tigers.
