The revolving door that is sometimes in operation at Wests Tigers went into overdrive in the past week.
Having confirmed the signing of representative forward Joe Ofahengaue (pictured above) for three years, the club at the same time confirmed the departure of Josh Aloiai, who is off to Manly.
Aloiai and Wests had been involved in an ugly spat since the young forward sought a release to go to the northern beaches and a fatter contract.
Wests Tigers played hard ball for a little while, but everyone knew they would eventually capitulate, and that’s exactly what happened.
But to the club’s credit they decided to use the freed up Aloiai salary cap space to make a serious bid for Ofahengaue.
Having the 25 year old in their ranks more than makes up for Aloiai, who has yet to prove himself in terms of higher honours.
Ofahengaue will join Wests Tigers effective immediately, after he was granted a release from the final two years of his contract with the Brisbane Broncos.
He has played 105 first-grade games since his first-grade debut in 2015.
A former Junior Kangaroo, Ofahengaue has also achieved a number of senior representative honours with two State of Origin appearances for Queensland in 2019 and six Tests for Tonga between 2015 and 2018, as well as Tonga’s historic win over Australia in 2019.
As part of the release of Aloiai from the last year of his contract, Wests Tigers say they have also agreed to an undisclosed commercial settlement with Josh’s new club.
In other club news, Wests Tigers have extended the contract of young forward Shawn Blore.
The new, two-year deal will see the 20-year-old remain in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season.
Blore made his first-grade debut for the club in Round 11 of the 2020 season, going on to play a further four matches in his rookie year.
