Embattled Morris receives ringing endorsement

HUGE ENDORSEMENT FOR SHARKS COACH

JOHN Morris has obtained an enormous enhance in his bid to retain the teaching job on the Sharks with endorsements from his two influential on-field generals.

Playmakers Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend have declared they need Morris to stay on board for 2021 and past, relieving among the strain on the embattled coach.

The media has been rife with tales that a few senior gamers need Morris out, although he has steered the Sharks to the finals in each his years on the wheel.

“I do not perceive it, the place all this speak has been coming from,” Townsend informed WWOS.

“If something, John has over-achieved. He has helped my recreation and brought Shaun’s to a brand new stage this 12 months.

“Whenever you take into accounts he inherited a large number (when former coach Shane Flanagan was stood down), he has executed beautifully and introduced in a bunch of nice younger gamers who will solely get higher subsequent 12 months.

“I do know I’ll inform anybody who desires to pay attention that Shaun feels the identical means as I do concerning the coach.

“Hopefully this can finish all of the hypothesis as a result of John does not deserve that and is the person to take us ahead.”

TIGERS POUNCE ON STAR BROTHERS

WESTS Tigers have poached two extremely promising younger brothers from the ranks of the Bulldogs.

Iverson and Compton Fuatimau, each powerhouse centres, signed with the Tigers final week – and they are going to be becoming a member of a 3rd brother on the membership!

Tyrese, a 17-year-old prop, performed within the Tigers’ Harold Matthews squad this season and can be held in excessive regard on the membership.

Iverson, aged 20 and Compton, 18, had been born in New Zealand and scouted by then Bulldogs recruitment man Warren McDonnell.

When McDonnell moved to the Tigers, he made signing the 2 younger centres a precedence and all of it got here to fruition in current days.

The 2 will practice with the primary grade squad over the summer season and are anticipated to be NRL-ready for 2022.

LOCKE NRL RETURN GAINS STEAM

FORMER Kiwi glamour boy Kevin Locke’s bid to return to the NRL continues to achieve momentum.

Locke was named participant of collection within the annual Maori event held in New Zealand final month and confirmed loads of his outdated razzle dazzle with the ball in hand.

Locke is operating 100m in lower than 11 seconds and has dropped a shocking 13 kilos from 97 to 84 since deciding to provide league one other go.

One of many largest names in New Zealand soccer a decade in the past, Locke fell out of favour as a result of accidents and a foul perspective.

Locke turned 31 earlier this 12 months and had an incredible season for Northcote Tigers in New Zealand.

Locke started his NRL profession with the Warriors at simply 20 years of age in 2009 and performed within the grand last two years later.

Since then, he has performed rugby union in England however is now again in league and anticipated to get a practice and trial contract with an Aussie membership.

One of many hottest rumours in current weeks is that Englishman Luke Thompson is not glad on the Bulldogs and desires to return house.

However I’ve checked out the goss and it’s 100% incorrect, with Thompson dedicated to the Canine and new coach Trent Barrett in 2021.

The 25-year-old from St Helens did not fairly set the world on fireplace in his maiden season within the NRL however confirmed sufficient promise in his 10 video games to point he shall be a pressure subsequent season.

Bulldogs Soccer Supervisor Stephen Litvensky confirmed that the rumours are means off track.

“We have heard them too however there may be nothing to them,” Litvensky mentioned.

“Luke is glad right here, we like to have him within the place and actually, his missus simply acquired out of quarantine a few days in the past.

“He was by no means going again – it was only a loopy hearsay somebody began that went uncontrolled.”