Willie Mason has taken new Bulldogs bad boy Tevita Pangai Junior under his wing this season – and believes the Tongan international can turn Canterbury‘s pack into one of the most feared in the NRL.
The former Broncos and Panthers forward copped plenty of flak for an ill-disciplined performance in the Bulldogs’ final trial against the Sharks last Monday week. But Mason, recently appointed to the Bulldogs’ staff and very much from league’s ‘old school’, took a different view of the big forward’s performance.
“He might have gone a little over the top but we can fix that and I’ve been talking to him about his game,” Mason told Wide World of Sports.
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“He excites me – he runs hard and straight and opposition forwards don’t like playing against him.
“I’m just trying to simplify his game. He doesn’t have to push the pass or throw flick passes or anything like that.
“The guy’s got speed, he’s got footwork. If you are trying to tackle him you would be petrified.
“He is a five-eighth in a torpedo body. If we get 20 good games out of him, we will be laughing.
“He needs to be a leader in our pack and lead by example and I think he is capable of doing that.”
Raiders poach Sea Eagles young gun
Manly has lost one of its most promising young forwards to Canberra for 2023.
Zane Dunford, whose dad Matt played nearly 100 games for the Sea Eagles in the 1990s, captained the club’s SG Ball side last year and Manly were keen to keep him.
But the lure of a fulltime contract proved the difference as the 20-year-old edge back-rower signed a three-year deal with the Raiders.
A big athletic forward who hits hard in defence, Dunford is expected to push for a first grade spot by midway through next season at Canberra.
Legend’s son turns heads
Tyran Wishart – son of Steelers and Dragons legend Rod – has made a big impression in the trials for the Storm.
As a hooker, the youngster won’t see much game time this season behind Harry Grant and Brandon Smith but is so highly regarded he could get a look-in at some stage of the year.
Wishart is a genuine number nine and after signing with the Storm, spent time learning from the best – former Knights great Danny Buderus.
‘Bedsy’ taught the youngster some tricks of the trade and when he gets his chance, Wishart will be ready.
Broncos sign boom rookie
The Broncos are excited at having signed Ethan Quai-Ward – a big, strong centre from Souths Logan Magpies.
At least four clubs, including Queensland rivals the Gold Coast and Cowboys, were chasing Quai-Ward.
Raised in Wagga, the hard-running outside back always dreamed of playing for the Broncos and has signed with the club until the end of 2024.
He will start this year as a development player but is expected to join the Broncos’ fulltime squad next year.
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