Wests Tigers have confirmed three player movements with Dylan Smith, Sam McIntyre and Queensland under age representative Thomas Mikaele to join the club's Top 30 NRL squad in 2019.
All three players were part of the club's Development squad in 2018, which sees the players train full-time with the NRL squad but are not eligible to play first-grade.
With their promotion to the Top 30 NRL squad from the Development squad, all three will be eligible for first-grade selection from the 2019 season onwards.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe congratulated the trio on their hard work and development throughout the year.
"Dylan, Sam and Tom have been a great success as Development players in their first year at Wests Tigers," Pascoe said.
"They have all worked extremely hard since arriving at the club last year and have progressed a long way both on and off the field.
"We are pleased to welcome them in to the Top 30 squad now as eligible first-grade players and look forward to seeing them contributing in the future for Wests Tigers."
Wests Tigers General Manager – Football Kelly Egan said Smith, McIntyre and Mikaele would be an asset for the club's NRL squad in the coming season.
"This is an exciting time at Wests Tigers and we're looking forward to seeing how these three can continue their development and contribute throughout the year," Egan said.
"Dylan, Sam and Tom each bring something different to the squad, and having another full pre-season under their belts will certainly help them in the season ahead."
All three players will begin pre-season training with the NRL squad in November.
Hailing from Ipswich (he is a Goodna Eagles junior); Mikaele moved to Sydney when he signed with the Wests Tigers Holden Cup side in 2017.
He had impressed with his junior football, including his with his experience captaining Keebra Park High School to the 2016 GIO Schoolboys Cup final. He has also represented Queensland in Under 18 interstate fixtures.
Selected earlier this year for the Under 20 Emerging Origin squad – injury unfortunately ruled him out of this year’s match.
The game was played at Suncorp Stadium before Game III of the State of Origin series, with Queensland earning their first win in the division to claim the Darren Lockyer Shield.
Thomas Mikaele
Date of Birth: January 11, 1998
Position: Front Row, Lock
Junior Club: Goodna Eagles
Representative Honours: Queensland Under 20s Emerging Maroons (2018), Queensland Under 20s (2017), AUS Schoolboys (2015-16)
*See the full Wests Tigers player movements story at their website
Main Image: Wests Tigers Media
