Blake Gone

[Big Mick]

Blake played in the centres for NSW Cup at Penrith and was brilliant.

And played there in 2 trials last year and was MOTM in both games.

 

[Tiger05]

Blake played in the centres for NSW Cup at Penrith and was brilliant.

And played there in 2 trials last year and was MOTM in both games.

I'm not surprised. I think he could slot in there easily.

 

[Matchball]

If Raiders gave us Rapira and took Lawrence I'd be happy for Blake to go.

 

[Fordy20]

SMH reporting that Austin has asked for a release, but it hasn't been granted yet

 

[moller]

Wouldn't be too upset if we let him go. Moses has a lot to work on, but he's still more of a complete #6 than Austin right now, let alone in 2-3 years time.
His defence is average and doesn't really fit into a structured attack - Brooks's game has suffered since Austin took over the #6 from Anasta, and that says a lot for mine.

By all means I'd keen him as a back up if possible, but if he's able to get starting half money elsewhere he should take it. One of the club's biggest issues in recent times has been our awful cap management, and re-signing him for overs would be a continuation of that.

 

[DanOz]

Austin is ahead of Moses at the moment imo

 

[madunit]

Stats say otherwise

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Austen would be on bugger all money with us. He came over as a reserve grader. Cant blame him for wanting Raiders money and career progression. Guessing 120K with us. Probably 350K with Canberra with almost guarantee number 6 jumper.

Force Raiders to take a couple of Blair and Lawrence and Galloway and their full contracts.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Te Mare Martin looks very capable of playing same role as Austen.

Getting better and better this year. Super talent.
Has outperformed Moses all year.

 

[macnaz]

Austin is a better attacking player then both. Pointless having a ball playing half and five eight if u only have plodders to offload to.

 

[macnaz]

Te Mare Martin looks very capable of playing same role as Austen.

Getting better and better this year. Super talent.
Has outperformed Moses all year.

Te Mare is a real talented and smart player... stand by for the roorters to make a play for him.

 

[Tiger05]

Te Mare is a real talented and smart player... stand by for the roorters to make a play for him.

Its a big call though to state that he is better than Moses. We have a tonne of talent in the lower grades. Its going to be tough to choose the best ones coming through.

 

[Tiger05]

Austin is a better attacking player then both. Pointless having a ball playing half and five eight if u only have plodders to offload to.

This though is easily fixed if you have a coach/recruiting & retention team that has any idea. Koro is a perfect example.

 

[FootynRacing]

Reports that he will be officially released to the Raiders today. I think this is madness. No doubt that we will need him for a fair chunk of 2015.

 

[moller]

Given we've already (reportedly) got salary cap issues, letting him go is the prudent move. We've already got our starting halves, and the rest of the roster is in real need of work.

 

[Eddie Lab]

god damn it.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Given we've already (reportedly) got salary cap issues, letting him go is the prudent move. We've already got our starting halves, and the rest of the roster is in real need of work.

Spot on.

 

[macnaz]

Best player.. still under contract for bugger all money id say , can fill any position ... nah we dont need him ?

 

[Fordy20]

Good move for all involved. Free's up cap space for us, Austin gets to start in the position he wants, Canberra gets a quality player a position they are struggling with.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Blake Austin released from Wests Tigers to join Canberra Raiders on three-year deal

Chris Wilson
Published: October 14, 2014 - 10:19AM
The Wests Tigers have granted utility Blake Austin an immediate release to join the Canberra Raiders on a three-year deal.
The deal was struck on Monday night, with the 23-year-old Austin keen to come to Canberra and establish himself as an NRL five-eighth.
Austin's manager, Tyran Smith of Sportsplayer Management, confirmed Austin would join the Raiders for three seasons.
Austin was one of the Tigers' best last season, breaking through to play 19 of his total 35 career NRL games.
Smith, who also played at the Raiders between 2002-05, felt Austin was ready to step up to the responsibility of playing full-time five-eighth and could provide an x-factor in Canberra's attack.
"He's exceptional at playing what he sees, which is rare these days in such structured systems," Smith said. "He's explosive and skilful."
"100 per cent, this is a positive move for him. He's got a young family, he's looking forward to a big opportunity at the Raiders to take his game to the next level."
Smith said he did not discuss Austin with new Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor, but the club had been keen to keep him.
"That's why it took so long, I didn't actually speak to Jason, but the club was keen to keep him," Smith said. "But the opportunity to be coached by Ricky Stuart in a side with some young players coming through, it was too good to miss.
"His goal is to establish himself as a five-eighth. There's no guarantees, but he will work hard to do what it takes."
Austin, who has two children, will be in Canberra on Wednesday.
This story was found at: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...aiders-on-threeyear-deal-20141014-115nom.html