OFFICIAL: Adam Blair, Joel Reddy and Matthew Bell

[hybrid_tiger]

Wests Tigers has today announced the signing of NZ Test forward Adam Blair on a four year deal commencing in 2012.

Rated as one of the world’s best forwards, Blair has already played 22 Test matches for New Zealand and played in three Grand Finals for the Melbourne Storm over the past five years.

A player with terrific ball skills and strong defence, Blair has played 114 NRL matches.

Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys said the Club was delighted to have secured the services of Blair.

“Adam is a world class forward who has been a key member of the very successful Storm side in recent years,” Humphreys said.


“His experience, leadership and professionalism will be great assets to our Club.

In further good news for the Club, Wests Tigers has also agreed to terms with two experienced NRL players for 2012.

Current Parramatta centre Joel Reddy has agreed to a contract for the 2012 and 2013 seasons and Penrith prop Matthew Bell will join Wests Tigers for at least the 2012 season.

Reddy has played 90 NRL matches since making his first grade debut for Parramatta in late 2005. He has established himself as one of the best defensive centres in the NRL in recent years and is also a quality attacking player.

Bell has played 104 matches for Penrith since making his NRL debut in 2006. A tough and uncompromising prop, Bell is regarded as an excellent worker in both attack and defence.

“The recruitment of one of the game’s best forwards in Adam Blair, along with the depth and experience provided by both Joel and Matthew, will blend very well with the existing and emerging talent we have in the Wests Tigers roster,” Humphreys said.

Adam Blair

DOB: 20/03/1986

Birthplace: Whangarei, NZ

Junior Club: Northland Carvers

Position: Prop

Height 188cm

Weight: 108kg

Rep Honours: 22 Tests for NZ (‘06, ‘08-‘11), Tri Nations (’06), world Cup (’08), Four Nations (’09-‘10), NRL All Star (’10)

Previous Clubs: Melbourne

FG Debut: v Wests Tigers, Leichhardt Oval, 02/04/2006 (Rd 4)


Joel Reddy

DOB: 08/10/1985

Birthplace: Sydney

Junior Club: Yarrawarrah Tigers

Position: Centre

Height: 191cm

Weight: 96kg

Rep Honours: City Origin 2010

Previous Club: Parramatta

FG Debut: v Bulldogs, Parramatta Stadium, 12/08/2005 (Rd 23)

Matthew Bell

DOB: 30/08/1981

Birthplace: Brisbane

Junior Club: St Brendans

Position: Prop

Height: 190cm

Weight: 106kg

Rep Honours: Nil

Previous Club: Penrith

FG Debut: v Parramatta, CUA Stadium, 19/05/2006 (Rd 11)

Source: Wests Tigers Media Release

About f**king time.

 

[gronkathon]

Really happy with the Bell signing.

A genuine prop and hard worker. Takes the hard hitups. Hopefully he brings some Petro words of wisdom with him

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Really happy with the Bell signing.

A genuine prop and hard worker. Takes the hard hitups. Hopefully he brings some Petro words of wisdom with him

Would be curious to know the last time we signed an out and out prop?

I am guessing Jason Cayless? But before that, O'Hara?

 

[Mr Angry]

Galloway?

 

[Tigerm]

The Panthers play the Eels, this Saturday night, so a good op to look at both Reddy & Bell (if they are playing)?

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Galloway?

Yeah, Galloway and O'Hara were both signed at the end of 2005.

It has been a long time coming when you consider Cayless was always going to be a gamble (that didn't pay off).

About time we signed a genuine prop. Bell is certainly no superstar and probably even best described as average. But will he make more metres with ball in hand than Gibbs? If he does its a good signing because I'm willing to bet he will be on far less money.

 

[madunit]

some Panthers fans have called Bell a plodder.

one said he hasn't broken the line for 3 years.

might reserve my judgement for the time being on him.

 

[spearby]

i hope blair will be worth the money when you think of fifita very young all his football a head. bell will be 31 next year wood want to be cheap.reddy a good safe player again would want to be cheap let moltzen go who could play any where in the backline i just can't understand why you let good young blokes go buy older guys. i think there is a different agenda here

 

[The Gambler]

The Panthers play the Eels, this Saturday night, so a good op to look at both Reddy & Bell (if they are playing)?

Bell is 18th man for the Panthers, will probably only play if Waterhouse is ruled out.

Reddy is gone for the season.

 

[Mr Angry]

Junior Club: Northland Carvers

Position: Prop

Height 188cm

Weight: 108kg

Might have been overlooked in the excitement. Seems Tim has already decided where Adam will play

 

[hybrid_tiger]

some Panthers fans have called Bell a plodder.

one said he hasn't broken the line for 3 years.

might reserve my judgement for the time being on him.

I will reserve my judgement too. Just saw some stats from the last two games:

M Bell vs. Bulldogs
29 minutes for 11 hitups, 105 metres, 2 tackle breaks, 19 tackles

M Bell vs. Souths
36 minutes for 16 hitups, 117 metres, 1 tackle break, 1 offload, 25 tackles

---

B Gibbs vs. Parramatta
50 minutes for 9 hitups, 67 metres, 1 offload, 28 tackles

A Fifita vs. Parramatta
27 minutes for 7 hitups, 35 metres, 0 tackle breaks, 1 offload, 15 tackles

B Gibbs vs. Bulldogs
42 minutes for 9 hitups, 77 metres, 3 tackle breaks, 33 tackles

A Fifita vs. Bulldogs
38 minutes for 10 hitups, 82 metres, 3 tackle breaks, 1 offload, 29 tackles

---

So Bell has made more metres in the past two weeks than Gibbs and Fifita combined and has played less minutes.

 

[TiggaPlease]

Welcome on board boys, hopefully some more signings will be announced soon.

 

[Big Mick]

Bell's a solid player.

Will give good service off the bench.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Apart from Galloway we have no real experience in the front row for next season, so in that respect Bell will be a good signing. Most Panthers fans I know have a decent opinion of the guy. Although he's pretty old (will be 31 next year), by the time he goes hopefully Woods, Groat, Murdoch-Masela and Begovich have a bit of experience.

Reddy is a handy back up outside back I guess, might get the right wing spot (especially if Mitch Brown shifts to fullback which seems likely at this stage), and can cover the centres should Lawrence or Ayshford go down. Probably not a match winner, but if he's on the right wing, he doesn't need to be considering 90% of our attack usually goes down the left.

Blair is a world class player, no complaints there at all.

 

[Tigerm]

Apart from Galloway we have no real experience in the front row for next season, so in that respect Bell will be a good signing. Most Panthers fans I know have a decent opinion of the guy. Although he's pretty old (will be 31 next year), by the time he goes hopefully Woods, Groat, Murdoch-Masela and Begovich have a bit of experience.

Reddy is a handy back up outside back I guess, might get the right wing spot (especially if Mitch Brown shifts to fullback which seems likely at this stage), and can cover the centres should Lawrence or Ayshford go down. Probably not a match winner, but if he's on the right wing, he doesn't need to be considering 90% of our attack usually goes down the left.

Blair is a world class player, no complaints there at all.

Bite your bum, but I understand what you mean:lol:
They used to say FR's don't really mature to there late 20's, so here's hoping, we've got him just ready to peek

 

[Tigerm]

Bell is 18th man for the Panthers, will probably only play if Waterhouse is ruled out.

Reddy is gone for the season.

Good start, should fit right in here?

 

[Ron's_Mate]

I'm happy enough with this announcement. If those three play to their potential & the current first graders who are being retained stay healthy next year, and some of the junior talent is brought through, we should do OK.
A few things I'm looking forward to - a second row combination of Ellis & Blair
A genuine brick shithouse prop in Bell doing some line busting in combination with Galloway.
Benji being happy to have a Kiwi mate in the team.

The key items still to be sorted are half and fullback.

 

[Borat.]

Havent seen much off bell - But he will definitely make more mtrs than Gibbs- but no way his defense will be on Par with Gibbs.....

31 is not old for a prop...

One thing about Blair I overlooked was the fact he had played in 3 Grand finals .... Invaluable exp. we just don't have....Will be great to see Blair and Ellis in the second Row and some more go forward up front....

Reddy will walk straight into the starting side....

 

[Mr Angry]

Ftr I rate Blair very highly.

 

[Mr Angry]

I would to see the all star team with Blair, Ellis and Gallen backrow.

Benji and Adam get free passes as c and vc of NZ.

Vote Ellis.