Easts Tigers bolster roster with NRL additions

An Intrust Super Cup powerhouse has been bolstered by the additions of two former NRL squad members.

Marcus Jensen during his time with the Cowboys. Picture: Evan Morgan

FORMER Gold Coast Titans coach Craig Hodges has bolstered his new-look squad at the Easts Tigers with the additions of two former NRL squad members.

Hodges’ tenure at the Intrust Super Cup club has officially started after pre-season training kicked-off for the Tigers last week as the 45-year-old takes charge of one of the proudest clubs in Queensland following years as an assistant coach in the NRL.

Already expected to boast a talented roster for the 2020 season following several key re-signings and the affiliation with the Melbourne Storm, Hodges was still on a mission to add players with NRL experience at each position to give his side depth.

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And he is on his way to doing that after signing former NRL squad members in outside back Marcus Jensen and forward Zac Masters.

Jensen joins the Tigers after stints in the North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs systems with the centre/winger also having ISC experience with the Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters.

New Easts Tigers coach Craig Hodges.

While Masters, 22, has spent time in the Canberra Raiders system, playing for the club’s under-20s side and training with the NRL squad and arrives at Langlands Park after a year playing for his hometown team, the Tumut Blues, in the New South Wales country competition.

“Both Zac and Marcus will add a lot to our team and obviously bringing in some players with experience in NRL systems in different positions is something I wanted to do and they definitely have that,” Hodges said.

“We’re still trying to recruit some more players with NRL experience that will just give us a bit of x-factor and depth across the group.

“I’ve said we have a lot of really good Intrust Super Cup talent and I think adding some NRL talent to that is very important.”

Only a week into pre-season training, Hodges is excited by what he sees from his group and said there was a good energy and positivity around the group as they came together to start their preparations.

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“It was good, it was a really positive first week. I was impressed by the way everyone came into training, everyone’s in good shape and we were all just excited to get started,” Hodges said.

“Obviously right now, we want to get the boys in the best shape as possible, so that is the focus and then just developing our skill base in both attack and defence before the Christmas break.”

Hodges said he was excited to be running his own program after years of being an NRL assistant.

“It’s been fantastic, I come into the trainings more excited than the players I think,” he said.

“It’s only week one but it’s just good to put your own ideas into place and down the track we will see how it goes.”