James Tamou has played his entire career under Matt Scott, and now that he’s made a move to Sydney, it’ll be his time to lead the young Panthers’ engine room.
The 27-year-old premiership winner will join a fairly young and inexperienced Penrith outfit, which gives him the perfect opportunity for to step up and quite literally lead from the front.
‘Aussie Jim’ has expressed his eagerness in joining the western-Sydney based club, claiming that he can win another premiership with them after the 2015 success of the Cowboys.
It’s a claim that definitely has it’s merits, with the Panthers fielding a stronger looking team with each and every year, blooding exciting rookies like Te Maire Martin and Nathan Cleary, signing experienced campaigners such as Trent Merrin and Pita Hiku and fielding juniors including Matt Moylan, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Bryce Cartwright.
It’s an exciting time for the unlucky club, and the addition of Tamou could get the sleeping giants of the NRL to finally awaken and live up to their true potential.
The Panthers’ front row stocks, while sprinkled with some quality, lack a leader. They lack someone who can help turn the tide of a game and fire up his troops when the going gets tough, which is something Tamou has shown glimpses of in the past.
The veteran prop is also a great mentor for the young Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Leilani Latu and James Fischer-Harris, who are all still gaining their feet in the NRL. Senior figures in young and inexperienced squads are so important for not only the immediate success but future successes of the club, and Tamou has the perfect opportunity to not only mature as a player but as a person as well.
With the inclusion of Tamou in their 2017 squad, the Panthers will boast one of the strongest looking forward packs in the competition, and could prove to be a threat to the rest of the NRL. With Cartwright, RCG, JFH, Latu and Merrin by his side, James Tamou will be the perfect player for the Panthers to build around for the future.
What do you think of the signing of Tamou? Do you think the Panthers have what it takes to become a powerhouse?
Lancey5times
Guest
Pillow
Don
Roar Rookie
That is a pretty accurate remark there BA. Many times I've watched JT and now also Morgan yelling at Tamou to get in and have a run when clearly he intended sitting that set of six out on the edge. A few years ago he had a habit of only calling for the ball in the attacking 30. Getting him to take rucks off his own line was like pulling teeth...
LMM
Guest
You would have to think there would be a few Panthers unhappy at losing Josh Mansour, who is extremely popular with the fans as well.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Would be good to see him thunder through opposition defences and bring his team mates with him.
Andréa Mandadakis
Roar Guru
There is a little bit of doubt but it's the perfect opportunity for him to really grow as a player; which is the exact premise of my article. Sure, he could end up being a flop, I'm not discounting that at all, but realistically Tamou has all the assets to become a top line front rower for the Panthers for the back end of his career.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Dave Taylor. Man that's harsh. Anyone have any idea what sort of coin he's meant to be on.
Patrick Sills
Roar Guru
He's going to create a lot more space for guys like Cartwright to work some magic.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
I think tamou will look like Dave Taylor the moment he leaves the cows. Matt Scott and JT really crack the whip on the field and I just don't know who is the guy that does that at penrith? I just have the feeling that the panthers are paying massive overs for him. I hope he goes well though, there is just something about him that makes me doubt if it will be a good move.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
So he's finally signed. I also have my doubts about his leadership qualities but we'll wait and see. Good buy Panthers.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't how he has been for the Cowboys though but at least in representative games, I think he goes missing. In form though, and he is great to watch. Hope the Panthers see more of it then NSW and Australia have.
MAX
Guest
Things are lookin' black this side of the blue divide. I smell another St George decade.
Tom Rock
Expert
Agree. He is the biggest case of 'Looks like Tarzan, hits like Jane, since Dane Carlaw
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Being the go to man when things get tough? Even you seem unsure of that when you wrote that it was "... something Tamou has shown glimpses of in the past" I'm not sure if James 'Glimpses Of' Tamou is the leader type you seem to be hoping for. But who knows? Maybe he'll grow into the role.