HE'S been labelled a future star of the Wests Tigers but Kearns' Jake Mullaney is still waiting to hear if he's even in the club's plans for next year.Mullaney's upset family say he has been told to look for another club to join.
But Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell told the Advertiser the club is "still looking at options".
"We haven't decided on our final make-up for next year," McDonnell said.
"Jake hasn't been offered a contract as yet but we're looking at filling those holes."
The former St Gregory's College rugby league captain was the 2009 Wests Tigers Toyota Cup Player Of The Year when he was the leading point scorer in the under 20s competition with 322 points (including 29 tries in 27 matches).
In 2010, he sustained a hamstring injury but this year he's trained with the first grade squad all season, while playing fullback for Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers in the NSW Cup each weekend.
His mother Michelle said it's frustrating not to know the reasons why he hasn't been snapped up by his local team.
"He's always wanted to play for the Tigers," she said.
"At the start of the year Tim Sheens told him he would get a start in first grade.
"He's been in the media talking Jake up but he hasn't given him a go even with the fullback problems they've had this year."
Mrs Mullaney said other clubs had shown interest including Parramatta and Cronulla.
"We just hope he can get an opportunity," she said. "He'd love to stay but he's realised he's not wanted at Tigers."
Mullaney's grandmother Rosemary Clement attends every Sydney game he plays.
"Everyone always asks me when Jake will be in first grade because the club has said for the past two years how much they rate him.
"But at the end of June his contract was not renewed."
With 2011's first choice fullback Wade McKinnon to play in the English Super League next season, Tim Moltzen signing with St George Illawarra and Mullaney not re-signed, who will be the Tigers fullback in 2012?
