Brad Tighe

[TITAN PETE]

Think he needs his own thread away from the Idriss debacle..

[TITAN PETE]

Bird thrilled with Tighe trade deal
By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
7:10am Thu 09th January, 2014


Gold Coast co-captain Greg Bird has spoken about the dramatic loss of Jamal Idris just weeks before the start of the 2014 season but insists the Titans have lost nothing by luring Brad Tighe to the club.

Bird and Tighe were junior representative teammates coming through the ranks at the Newcastle Knights and while Bird moved to Cronulla to earn his NRL debut, Tighe went on to play 44 games for the Knights before moving to the Panthers, where he has spent the past six seasons.

The speed of Idris's departure was matched by Tighe's arrival on the Gold Coast on Wednesday with the 29-year-old leaving Penrith at 5am to make a 7am flight from Sydney to Coolangatta. He wasted no time in acclimatising, heading straight for the training paddock where he impressed in his performance in the dreaded beep test before speaking with the media.

On face value Tighe appeared to be the pawn in the manoeuvring to get Idris from the Titans to the Panthers on compassionate grounds but Bird believes his club has acquired the services of a player blessed with rare talent.

"I'm stoked to have him. The last couple of years I've seen him it's been some of the best football I've seen him play," Bird told NRL.com.

"When we played Harold Matts (under-16s) and SG Ball (under-18s) together he was always a five-eighth and I remember him being one of the best five-eighths I'd played with.

"We've been the victims of some of Tighesy's best games. Last year he scored a 'hatty' (hat-trick) against us at the end of the season and blew us apart and the year before he pretty much did the same.

"I know 'Carty' (Titans coach John Cartwright) holds him in pretty high regard considering the hidings he's given us and I'm looking forward to having him up here."

Speaking as a Titan for the very first time, Tighe rejected the suggestion that he was pushed out of Penrith to make way for Idris. With two years still to run on his contract at the Panthers, Tighe said it was the chance to make a fresh start that swayed his decision.

"It was my decision in the end. It was left to me and I wanted to come up and have that change," Tighe said.

"I was contracted [at Penrith] for another two years so I got the opportunity to come up here and I'm pretty excited.

"I needed a fresh start. I'd been at Penrith for six years so bring the family up here and start again and hopefully have a good season."

Not due back at pre-season training until January 20, Bird admitted that the quickness of Idris's departure did take him by surprise despite being aware of ongoing issues with the former Origin and Test star.

"I've spoken to the administration a few times. It was an ongoing thing. It wasn't just a flick of the switch and he wants to go, it had been coming for a while," Bird said.

"I had knowledge of it but I've been away for a while... It was a bit of a shock when it actually came to fruition.

"It's disappointing we're losing him but it's for the right reasons and I hope he goes on with his career at Penrith. He's definitely going to be a star of the future if he can stay on the paddock."

Tighe will be joined on the Gold Coast by partner Sarah and four-year-old daughter Ella. The only difficult conversation he is still to have is explaining to Ella that the family won't actually be living at Movie World.

"It happened all at once but I'm excited, it's a fresh start for me and my family," said Tighe, who has played 157 NRL games across nine seasons.

"My missus is just as excited as I am and the little one, she can't wait to get up here and be near the beaches.

"She starts school next year so what better place to start than on the 'Goldie'."

[Titanic]

That'll do me ... now let's worry about getting a decent 13 on the paddock.

[Surfers66]

Tighe might find a spot on the wing. I like his enthusiasm so far.

[Titanic]

He does play right side though and Takairangi and Blair play left as does KFLL so he should be a walk-up for the right. Which side does Likiliki play?

[Blade07]

I think right

[Sydney Titans Fanatic]

tighe could play five-eighth if albert kelly is out.

[Titanic]

tighe could play five-eighth if albert kelly is out.

Couldn't be worse than the Total Package

[ozynorts]

Hope he goes well. He has shown a lot of players out there what it is to be a professional sportsman these days. He makes a mockery of the major complaint that players need to know mid year where they are playing next year. Good on him.

[Titanic]

His timing and attitude have made an instant hint … his manager should be applauded.

[DavidBouveng]

he reminds me of a tate / de vere / hannant...

committing to the life of a professional footballer and getting the most out of himself.

i have gone from why did we just settle for a inferior replacement to being genuinely stoked with the quality of person we have on board. the more people who lead by example the better

[C-Whiz]

Someone on here has the signature in their profile that sums this situation up perfectly. Who is it??? They are spot on.

ps, it's not Hail Sezer.

"Hard work will always beat talent when talent doesn't want to work hard".

[Hail Sezer]

Someone on here has the signature in their profile that sums this situation up perfectly. Who is it??? They are spot on.

ps, it's not Hail Sezer.

"Hard work will always beat talent when talent doesn't want to work hard".

No but my signature is just as legitimate and inspirational.

I know the one you're talking about though!

Taka, Blair, Tighe and Liks. Going to be some very interesting trials!

[C-Whiz]

No but my signature is just as legitimate and inspirational.

Yeah, pretty sure it was what got Tighe on the early plane up here, and got the tubby Jamma jelly brah, nomasayin'?

[Hail Sezer]

Yeah, pretty sure it was what got Tighe on the early plane up here, and got the tubby Jamma jelly brah, nomasayin'?

Aware brah. Inb4 Davidbouveng dives in and starts asking if Tighe even lifts.