The Wests Tigers have added more veteran experience to their 2027 squad after they secured the services of Tyson Frizell on a one-year deal.
The 35-year-old is fresh from helping the Knights reach the grand final and will feature for Tonga at the World Cup which starts this week.
Frizell made his NRL debut 15 years ago with the Sharks and has racked up 306 games with the Dragons and Knights during a decorated career that has also seen him play plenty of representative football.
The Tigers have desperately missed some leadership in the middle of the field, but that shouldn’t be an issue with Frizell joining Kurt Mann and Jayden Brailey at the club next year.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Wests Tigers in 2027,’’ Frizell said.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for me at this stage of my career and I’m grateful for the chance to be part of what the club and Benji are building.
“There’s a lot of exciting young talent coming through. I’m hoping I can add some value through my experience and leadership, both on and off the field.”
Tigers coach Benji Marshall spent three seasons playing with Frizell at the Dragons and made it clear that he wanted people like him at the club.
“Tyson is the most professional player I’ve ever seen when it comes to preparation,’’ Marshall said.
“To play the amount of footy he has and still compete at the highest level of the game at his age is a credit to the way he prepares and goes about his business.
“Tyson will be invaluable in terms of the leadership he will bring to our younger guys.
“He will show people here what first grade preparation looks like week in, week out.
“Tyson doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to that kind of stuff.”
Originally published as ‘Most professional player I’ve ever seen’: Benji Marshall lauds Tyson Frizell after luring veteran forward to the Tigers