THE Oberon Tigers unveiled a new front row at Carrington Park on Friday night when big-name signing Ryan Verlinden made his debut.
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The prop confirmed last week that he will be wearing a Tigers jumper in 2017, his signing coming as a big boost for the Group 10 club.
Verlinden, who joins Young native Jake Dawe in the front row, brings a wealth of experience to the Tigers.
He previously played in the NSW Cup for the Cronulla Sharks, North Sydney Bears and the Newtown Jets and comes to Oberon after two years in England.
His overseas stint included game time for the Featherstone Rovers, Doncaster and Workington Town.
New captain Luke Branighan is happy to have him on the roster.
“He’s from Sydney originally. He’s been in the NRL system for several years and he’s played the last couple of years in England,” the five-eighth said.
“It’s a big signing. He’s a very big boy, but he’s extremely athletic as well. If he’s switched on, he’ll be hard to handle out here.
“He’s a massive boy. He’s 30 now, but he’s been in the NRL system for a number of years and was probably unlucky not to have played NRL in the past.
“His size and experience is going to be invaluable.”
The signing of Verlinden helps make up for the disappointment the Tigers experienced when failing in a bid to lure Jono Van Veen from Lithgow.
It will also help boost their forward stocks after Luke Christie-Johnston ruptured an Achilles tendon.
“It is an area where we lack a bit of depth, so it’s going to give us a massive boost. He’ll complement Jake Dawe, who I signed from Young. He’s a fantastic front-rower,” Branighan said.
“The club’s still on the lookout for some more front-rowers, but it gives us a massive boost ahead of the Group 10 season.”
