Cup ambition drives talented Jordan Tighe
Cup ambition drives talented Tighe
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Ipswich Jets Colts talent Jordan Tighe gained Queensland Maroons under-18s selection in 2011.
IT has pained Ipswich Jets Colts coach Mark Bishop to see former Jets youngsters such as James Furminger, Justin Lemberg and David Faamita doing damage against their former club.
The three played for Redcliffe against the Jets this year after being picked up by the Brisbane Broncos and farmed out to their feeder club Redcliffe.
But the same prospect did not sit well for fellow Ipswich prodigy Jordan Tighe.
Tighe, like Furminger, Lemberg and Faamita, was picked up by the Broncos before being sent to a feeder club, in Tighe?s case Wynnum, to serve his apprenticeship.
It didn?t last long, however, with the 18-year old Queensland junior representative asking for a release to return to the Jets once he realised he?d be spending much more time at Wynnum than the Broncos base at Red Hill.
?He wasn?t happy driving all the way to Wynnum to train,? Ipswich Jets chief executive officer Brad Wolens said.
?When we heard he was looking to leave the Broncos, we contacted him because I thought he might even play (Queensland) Cup for us this year.?
Wolens also spoke to Gold Coast Titans junior recruitment manager Tom Searle and Tighe was signed to the Titans.
Tighe played fullback for the Queensland Maroons under-18s in their 22-16 win over NSW Country in Coonabarabran and has been called into the Titans Toyota Cup (national under-20 competition) squad several times this season.
?He?s very elusive,? Bishop said of Tighe?s on-field abilities.
?When he?s running, he seems to glide.
?He?s got that look about him like he?s got plenty of time all the time.?
Tighe has been played at fullback and five-eighth for the Jets Colts.
While he is keen to play more at five-eighth, Bishop is confident his best position now is centre.
?He can put other blokes in a hole and run into a hole himself,? the coach said.
?We?ve got a good six at the moment in Ben Thorburn and they complement each other on the left-hand side.?
Tighe may not be bossy enough on the field to play five-eighth at the moment, but Bishop knows he is a quick learner.
?He?s a very quiet kid,? Bishop said.
?He?s easy to talk to.
?He probably needs to work hard on his defence.
?He makes the tackle but he can be more effective.
?When he grows into his frame, he?ll get there.?
Bishop thinks he could make the step up to a starting spot with the Titans under-20s next season if he improves his defence.
?If he puts his head down and gets his defence right, he could play 20s with the Toyota Cup,? Bishop said.
?It depends on his attitude.
?I know they?re looking at him.?
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