After seeing Jamal Idris in the flesh at the Wests Tigers media call on Monday, I’m enthusiastic about his chances of making a successful comeback to the game.
His age won’t be against him, he’s only 26, and after giving up rugby league to find himself, he has only had one year out of the game, so he hasn’t been away for too long.
It’s just like rupturing an ACL – except without the injury.
The questions surrounding someone like Idris are whether he wants to play again for the right reasons and whether he is fit enough to do himself justice.
He is saying all the right things, but we still won’t know for sure if his heart is in it until he gets out there and plays in the NRL again.
What impressed me is that he looks really fit.
Idris has been overweight at times in the past and it has held him back, but he has clearly had a very effective off-season preparation.
He has never come across as the type whose ambition it is to develop a six-pack, but he is no longer carrying the excess fat that sometimes stopped his progress as a player.
Idris looks good and playing in the centres for the Tigers – he could prove to be a great buy.
He’s far from the only player at a new club whose progress is going to be very interesting to follow in 2017.
Starting with Idris and working through the rest of the player signings in the NRL, I quickly came up with a dozen like that.
Benji Marshall, who turns 32 on February 25, made his superstar name as a five-eighth and has more recently been a halfback, but he is understood to be competing for a centre spot at Brisbane. If that is where he ends up it’s going to be fascinating to see how it works out.
Tony Williams went from being a wrecking ball at Manly to a much-less-destructive force at Canterbury. Now he is at premiers Cronulla. Can he return to his best, or at least get close? He only recently turned 28, so time is on his side. It’s whether he can reconnect with the mongrel in him.
Curtis Sironen and Jackson Hastings have both gone to Manly after they were no longer wanted at their previous clubs. They can play, we all know that, and they are only 23 and 21 respectively. The challenge for each of these versatile types is to find a groove at the Sea Eagles.
We didn’t think we would be seeing Frank Pritchard back in the NRL after he joined English club Hull last year, but he is back – with Parramatta. Pritchard is 33, but he is a smart player. He could give the Eels quite a valuable 30 to 40 minutes a week.
Robbie Farah’s switch from the Tigers to South Sydney was, of course, one of the most publicised moves in recent memory. The nature of his play out of dummy-half should suit the Rabbitohs because of their preference for running huge forwards at the opposition line from close range.
Kieran Foran? Presuming he convinces the NRL he has correctly dealt with his off-field issues and is cleared to play, he could end up the best signing the Warriors have ever made from a rival club. Or it could all blow up in his and their faces.
Is there anyone who does better than Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy at signing players from other clubs who either aren’t regular first-graders or are considered past their best and achieving a great result with them? He could do it again with 21-year-old winger Josh Addo-Carr.
Here is one of the most intriguing signings – former NSW and Australia forward Anthony Tupou, back from Super League to the NRL with Newcastle. Tupou will turn 34 on March 1. It won’t be easy for him, but if he can still handle the pace he will be great for the young Knights forwards to learn from.
Penrith spent a lot of money to get NSW and Australia prop James Tamou. There has been debate over whether he is worth it, but they wanted some genuine experience to go with their very promising young forwards and he certainly brings that.
Finally, St George Illawarra didn’t want to pay Mitch Rein what he was asking for to re-sign and he found a new home at Penrith. Peter Wallace did a great job at hooker for the Panthers last season, but you’ve got to have depth and the addition of Rein will create healthy competition for that spot.
Bonza
Guest
Jamal's break might've done him the world of good.He's counting down days to 1st trial which is a good sign. Would love to him and Leiluah line up for NSW, even if they've had average seasons by the time Origin rolls around they could well rise to the occasion, a la Olsen Filipania in the good ole days. But party pooper selectors probably won't pick the players Qld don't want to play. Ex T Rex, now a plant eating dinosaur will be interesting. If the hard heads in the Cronulla clubhouse can't fire him up then he'll be extinct.
Joey B
Guest
Bellamy will turn him into a superstar.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha mate we'll come good,keep the faith Maxy!
Kaks
Roar Guru
Not much NRL news during the off-season, so been on the football tab instead. Not much variety on the football tab though with the main contributors consistently writing doom and gloom articles when there is plenty to be optimistic about, so I've been doing other things instead :) We showed how good we can be last season, and it was remarkable to see how resilient the team was on the park when everything was going wrong off it. Knowing the Gutherson family as well, all I hear is how the boy's get along like brothers which is great to hear. In saying that, Robson at HB is still a major issue. He isnt a terrible player but he wont win you games on his own and he doesnt dictate play as well as a premiership HB can. Corey can win you games on his own, and has shown that he can direct the team/play - but an X factor player like Corey needs a general next to him in the pressure moments to keep the game ticking. Thats why Foran and Norman worked so well together. Will be interesting how that pairing goes. De Gois is also another issue. Father time is catching up to him and I dont know if he is good enough to move the forwards around the park. A lot to be optimistic about, but there are still a few question marks in key areas.
kk
Roar Pro
JOHNY, I'm going to try something different before it is too late. I'm taking advice from my mate SGI John and barracking for every team. He assures me you enjoy the season more because the soft penalty interpretations iron themselves out. Does wonders for the BP count.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
I'm glad he's "extinct" from Belmore Maxy :)
Kenw
Guest
Yes, Josh Addo-Carr is an exciting young gun that Melbourne made a big offer too, not a discarded diamond in the rough that only Bellamy can see. He's obviously a coach at the top of the game but I think there's an awful lot of myth making (not his fault) that goes on about his abilities to turn journeymen into stars.
Jacko
Guest
Kevin think of who was coaching him at the Tigers tho...
kk
Roar Pro
Jackson Hastings will be the next Bob Fulton. When Frank Pritchard left Belmore they borrowed Cronulla's porch light. He remains my favourite player. Parra will enjoy future benefits from his signing. Farah will teach the Burgii how to take and hold a pass. Souths Top 8. Flanagan was seen purchasing a cattle prod. Guess who for?
KingCowboy
Guest
Hey kaks, you been MIA, haven't seen any of your posts for a while. You must be happy that the Eels are getting their act together. Gurr sounds like a top operator!
Dan
Guest
I'm so over hearing about him, defence was always fairly solid but he's so slow for an outside back. Gives the pokies an absolute hamering and I think money might be the real reason he's back. I hope im wrong and he does well but I have serious doubts.
Casper
Guest
Refreshing to hear an NRL player saying that there's life worth living outside that NRL bubble. Hopefully the break has done Idris the world of good, a few others might like to take his lead and they might not have the behaviour problems that has dogged many clubs. With kids getting identified and nurtured from their early teens, only to either be thrown on the scrap heap or cocooned in the artificial club world as young men, they certainly miss out on the challenges & fun of the real world. Will watch Jamal with interest, always had the ability to play at that level but maybe he just lacked the interest. Good on him for breaking the mould.
Jimmmy
Guest
It would be a real shame if he doesn't knuckle down , to it. He was a devestating ball runner when he burst onto the scene. It's all in his court I guess.
Kevin Malone
Guest
Blake green will struggle without cronk
Kaks
Roar Guru
Knowing (and seeing) what Idris got up to in the last two years, I am worried that Jamal will revert back to his old ways when it get's too 'tough' for him. I hope I'm wrong, but I wont be surprised if he implodes. Hopefully the Tigers have a good support structure around him before he makes headlines for the wrong reasons. He seem's to be motivated at the moment to make a come back. Those years off partying probably instilled a bit of hunger into him, but seeing how easily he gave up last time, I can unfortunately see a repeat when he needs to work hard later in the season.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'm really interested to see how Pritchard goes at the Eels. Not only him though but the other Eels signings like Vave and Matagi. I think Brad Arthur is a Bellamy like coach who brings out the best in players and I look forward to seeing how these guys go this year under him.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Agree and at age 26 he is hitting his peak period as a player.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Very impressed with what I've seen of Vincent Leuluai. Kind of flew under the radar of signings but he has done very well since joining the Storm. I hope he's part of the Storm future with all the other young kids coming through.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I don't know if he would have been a regular as Rankin was doing the kicking duties and even after his try scoring debut against the Storm he was dropped again the week after and only brought in to cover injuries, and that was before the Storm contract came up. I think he would have struggled to break into the Tigers side this year as well if Idris is going to play centre as then he will have to complete against Nofualuma, Naiqama and Rankin. I didn't think his defence stood up too well when he was on the park in 2016 as well although he did have a few brilliant attacking plays. I do agree that its not really a genius move to steal Josh Ado-Carr, I think they knew Marika was going and wanted a straight out speedster replacement. I don't think he is up to Marika's standard though, especially aggressiveness in attack or defence. In fact I'm not sure I'd have him in the starting side at all until he fixed up a few of his issues.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I reckon Idris will be better for the time out. Sometimes it takes a while away from the game to really appreciate it and the kids who just grow up right into the NRL system sometimes don't have an appreciation of what they have. Attitude makes a big difference to a players game and I think he finally has got the right attitude. He has always had the physical attributes to be a extremely good player and now that he is fit I think he will be a great addition to the Tigers. I actually think he should play centre and either Naiqama or Simona should move to the wing. Moses will have to take up kicking duties though if they drop Rankin who was their main kicker last year.