The confirmation last week that Jamal Idris had committed to a one year deal with the Wests Tigers was the best news I have heard from the club in a long time.
Jamal provides size, strength, the ability to penetrate in attack and generate fear as a defender. He has played an Origin game for NSW and also for the Kangaroos.
His jaw-dropping defensive hits where he “blindsides’ his opponent are worth looking up on YouTube to remind yourself of how devastating he can be.
As Jason Taylor said in the media statement these are areas that Wests Tigers can improve on in our outside backs.
I would go further and say that the Tigers have been lacking size and controlled aggression across the park for some time.
It is not just what Jamal offers on the field that excites me. His return to rugby league if successful will provide enormous off field benefits to both the club and NRL.
Idris has a huge presence and charisma with the ability to attract and engage fans both young and old. It is no coincidence that the Wests Tigers started using him in their membership drive from the moment the signing was announced.
In an era where NRL players are becoming more like cardboard cutouts with cliche-driven responses he is one of the few players that provides a point of difference.
Jamal has the potential to generate positive media, sponsors and gain supporters for the club after some lean years in terms of public relations.
The son of a Nigerian father and Aboriginal mother he has recently returned after travelling the world amid reports of him being kidnapped and then escaping in Ho Chi Minh City.
Jamal is not your average NRL player and that is why his appeal is broad.
Watching his debut for the Bulldogs after he represented the Australian Schoolboys it was obvious he was going to be something special.
Idris was also a world ranked junior javelin thrower and potential Olympian.
Jamal’s detractors say he is ‘different’ as if it is a negative thing. Bring on the ‘different’ I say!
For every few Cameron Smiths let’s have a Jamal to add diversity in our game. It can only help grow the rugby league supporter base outside of traditional demographics.
There is of course a very large elephant in the room that I haven’t addressed. This is Jamal’s fourth club and in 2015 he walked out on Penrith due to personal reasons.
It would be fair to say his form has been inconsistent during his career hence the one appearance only for NSW and Australia respectively, He appears to lose interest and focus in training and his form suffers.
To borrow a well worn media cliche Jamal has arrived at the last chance saloon.
I have a gut feeling, and that’s all it is, that eighteen months away from the game, travelling and soul searching will be a turning point and Idris will become the player he always promised to be.
There has been fan talk of Wests Tigers wasting money on a troubled player. I would be surprised if his one-year deal commanded huge dollars.
The benefits for the club if he is successful greatly outweigh the cost of him ending up in NSW Cup or walking away if it doesn’t work out.
The relationship forged during their time at Penrith, between Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe and Idris appears to be a factor in his choice of club.
Earlier this year Jamal said that he missed the theatre of big games in the NRL that made his spine tingle while he was away.
Let’s hope the ‘theatre’ of Leichhardt, Campbelltown and ANZ can keep him motivated.
The only one that knows if this will be a success is Jamal Idris. It will be his mindset not his ability that will determine the outcome.
The rest of us will find out in March 2017 and I can’t wait.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Agree Maximus. Uncertain yet exciting times await the Tigers in 2017.
maximus182
Roar Guru
Idris has the potential to be the signing of the year in 2017. Wests Tigers have the potential to do anything in 2017. But is Jason Taylor the man to take them there? With Jamal on board, and three of the games hottest talents, the Tigers membership base should have no reason not to boom next season.
Jacko
Guest
Its great watching Jamal play. He makes me feel so good about my body-shape
Spongebob
Guest
Where has Jamal been? Was it only one season? Seems a long time since I've seen him around.
Casper
Guest
Probably just getting a few tips from Mick Cronin at his pub. Hope he's successful even though I'm not a tiger fan, love a redemption tale. Anyway, lots of young blokes like to take a gap year & the NRL environment is absolutely stifling for anyone who's not a robot. No wonder kids go off the rails with the restrictions for 11 months a year.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Make that Gerringong! (Won't let me edit.)
Stuart McLennan
Expert
As I said I look forward to seeing how he goes in March next year rather than be caught up in Gerringing pub sightings. Maybe he was getting some tips from Mick Cronin?
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Getting on the turps for Jamal means he's bored, waiting for a challenge. Cartwright couldn't motivate him at the Titans, Cleary almost did but injuries happened. As a NSW fan very excited, although Loz will probably go with non centre Dugan or Fire up when the pressure's off Jennings.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Problem is, Idris isn't exactly your average young bloke in your average line of work; there have been problems in the past with his behaviour after consuming alcohol, and if he's been drinking on a daily basis that's not exactly the standard either.
Fred
Guest
Oh it's the wowser patrol out again! If a young man was spotted in a pub, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. 99% of young men drink alcohol, and that's the way it's been for the last several thousand years. I'd be more concerned signing a religious nutter who can't play on Sundays because god told him not to than I would signing a bloke who was spotted in a pub in Gerringong.
Correct sometimes
Guest
Well, he has been spotted in gerringong getting on it every day recently Not negative - realistic unlike the author
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Like it Bonza! Size and speed will overcome all with the right focus.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Not unlike Raiders with Big Dave or Sharks with Big Tone. All 3 are giants, potential match winners and have trouble focusing. The answer? Short contracts with coaches who can manage personalities. Tricky yes, Flanno yes, not sure about Taylor though. But Woods and the gang will hopefully make Jamal a happy camper. "Moylan great ball to Leiluah who offloads to Idris, another NSW try.....this is becoming embarrassing..."
nerval
Guest
Like everyone else, I would love to see Jamal Idris fulfil his potential as a footballer. For those of us with not an ounce of his athletic talent, it's a crying shame to see him - and so many others - throw it all away. The window of opportunity is relatively small, in football as in life. Let's hope he has his best years ahead of him for, if nothing else, he's always seemed such an interesting and well-meaning character. Good luck Jamal!
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I'm of the opinion that this may be a great move by the Tigers , if the big fella can recapture his best form , they will have quite a weapon at their disposal towards the end of the year . He's only 26-27 and has a good 3 or 4 years left in him , and at 24ish when he left the game , can all of us say we had our ducks in a row as far as life choices go. Good to see the Tigers in the semis , maybe .
The eye
Guest
From memory he was playing on the left at Penrith which is Simona's side..both Tiger centres had too much unreliability in them.2 years ago Simona could have been anything,beautiful runner,tough defender,then got dogged by injury and started to miss opportunities..potentially Jamal's a great pickup.. Nofa went sensational last year down the right,so great balance...and they could really use an offloading backrower as well,if Sironen's being squeezed out and Chris doesnt fix his hands..
KenW
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised to see him start as a bench back-rower actually. At his size it was always on the cards as he got older and I can't imagine a year or so out of training has done anything for his pace. Otherwise I can't see him unseating either of those guys without a good run in reserve grade
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Probably used to would be more correct you negative nelly....
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Naiquama is apparently making noises about going to England so is uncertain at this point. Also Kev or Tim can both play on the wing.
Alex Green
Roar Guru
If he has a solid off season does he slot straight in for Naiqama or Simona? I thought they were both good this year, so maybe bench impact for Idris?