Wests Tigers has today re-signed several of the Club’s outstanding young players.
Centre Tim Simona, winger Marika Koroibete, rising Holden Cup players Kyle Lovett and Nathan Brown, and talented SG Ball player Matthew Woods have agreed to new deals with the Club for 2014 and beyond.
Off contract at the end of this year, Simona has signed for a further two seasons to remain at Wests Tigers until the end of the 2015 season.
Having made his NRL and club debut in 2011 against Newcastle at Leichhardt Oval, Simona burst back on the first grade scene this season under Coach Mick Potter.
Simona has scored five tries in nine games either playing wing or centre. He captured the rugby league public’s attention with some two superb solo tries against Penrith and Melbourne in recent weeks.
The 22-year-old is delighted with his new deal.
“This is the club I want to establish myself at. I’ve been given a great opportunity this season under Mick Potter and am playing some of my best football under him now,'' Simona said.
“Although I've been happy to play on the wing, I want to cement a permanent starting position in the centres over the next few years.”
Potter said Simona was a player with plenty of untapped potential.
“We are only just starting to see what Tim has to offer. He has been in terrific form and deserves his new deal,’’ Potter said.
“I’m very much looking forward to developing Tim’s game more over the next few years. It is exciting to think how much he still has to offer.”
Fijian winger Marika Koroibete has signed on for 2014 after the Club took up an option on his services. Koroibete’s electrifying speed and ability to find the tryline has quickly made him a favourite amongst Wests Tigers fans.
Second-rower Lovett and prop Brown played in the 2012 Wests Tigers premiership winning NYC team under Todd Payten and are key players in this year’s U20s side.
Brown has signed for three years with Lovett agreeing to a two-year deal. Lovett is the captain of the NYC team this year.
Talented back-rower Woods, a member of the Balmain Tigers SG Ball premiership team for the past two seasons, has also signed a three-year deal with Wests Tigers.
In other recruitment news, Wests Tigers have also signed former Newcastle Knights and Bradford Bulls centre Keith Lulia to a two year deal from 2014.
“Keith recently expressed a desire to return home for family reasons and comes to Wests Tigers for the opportunity to play in the NRL again,’’ Potter said.
“At 26, Keith will add experience and depth to a squad that has a heavy focus on youth.”
Keith has been highly sought after from other NRL Clubs, and the Wests Tigers are delighted to give him an opportunity in the NRL once again.
I watch a bit of NSW Cup and not familiar with any others. 
