Miles and Heighington re-sign with Wests
Tigers, Reick to join

HEIGHINGTON RE-SIGNS WITH WESTS TIGERS

Second-rower Chris Heighington has re-signed with the Wests Tigers for 2005.

Heighington agreed to a one-year-deal with the Club with a one-year option late last week.

It will be the hard-working forward's third season with the Wests Tigers after joining the Club from the Central Coast.

"I am very happy to be staying,'' Heighington said.

"I like to be loyal to the Club. There is a lot of competition for the second-row positions at the Wests Tigers, so I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.''

Heighington played 10 games for the Wests Tigers in 2004.

Wests Tigers Football Operations Manager Steve Lavers said the Club was looking for Heighington to come of age in 2005.

"Chris Heighington is developing into a NRL quality player,'' Lavers said.

"With 2005 being his third season at the Club, we are expecting Chris to be fully matured and are hoping for good things from him.''

RIECK SIGNS WITH WESTS TIGERS

Matthew Rieck, one of rugby league's fastest men, has signed a one-year-deal with the Wests Tigers.

Rieck joins the Wests Tigers after a three-year stint with Cronulla. Before joining the Sharks, the 24-year-old had three years at Penrith.

The talented winger has a one-year-option on his contract. Rieck played 15 games for the Sharks in 2004 after injuring a hamstring early in the season.

Rieck joins the Wests Tigers in the search of a new beginning.

"I like the look of the team. There are plenty of young and enthusiastic players at the Club,'' Rieck said.

"The Wests Tigers are always a team you don't look forward to playing because of their aggressiveness, so I am looking forward to being on their side.''

Wests Tigers Football Operations Manager Steve Lavers said Rieck has been given a good opportunity at the Club.

"Matthew's one-year-deal will give us more depth on the wing,'' Lavers said.

"He is a very quick player who can score plenty of tries. Hisspeed will be of great benefit to us.''

HODGSON NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Full-back Brett Hodgson was named the Wests Tigers player of the year on Friday.

Hodgson received the award at the annual Wests Tigers grand final luncheon at Le Montage Function Centre, Leichhardt.

In a superb first year for the Club, Hodgson played every game for the Wests Tigers and was the team's leading tryscorer with 11 tries.

Hodgson also shared the Ironman Award with Queensland Origin half-back Scott Prince.

Hodgson also won the award for most goals in a match, equalling the Club's record.

Retired lock Scott Sattler picked up the best defensive award while young prop Bryce Gibbs was named the Rookie of the Year.

MILES RE-SIGNS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

Wests Tigers have re-signed experienced winger Robert Miles for 2005.

Miles has agreed to a one-year-deal with a one-year option.

A permanent fixture in the 2003 squad, Miles will be looking for a better season in 2005 after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

He suffered the knee injury in the round five loss to St George-Illawarra.

"I'm pretty happy to be staying with the Tigers for another year at least, especially with the amount of good young kids coming through the club,'' Miles said.

"Although we were disappointed about not making the finals, the team had a pretty good season and the signs are looking good for 2005.

"I know there is a lot of competition for the wing positions but my first priority is to get my knee right.''

Tigers football operations manager Steve Lavers said the re-signing of Miles gives the Tigers more depth.

"Robert is recovering well from the knee injury and when he is fit to play, he will give us more depth in the wing/full-back position,'' Lavers said.

2005 Wests Tigers Contracted Players

Dean Collis Shane Elford Rob Farah Daniel Fitzhenry Liam Fulton Ben Galea Bryce Gibbs Nick Graham Simon Greally Dene Halatau Bronson Harrison Brett Hodgson Matt Jobson Nick Kouparatsis Anthony Laffranchi Jeff Lima Tim McGann Benji Marshall Mark Meredith Mark O'Neill Chris Paterson Todd Payten Scott Prince Ben Reynolds Pat Richards Jarrod Saffy John Skandalis Paul Whatuira John Wilson Matt Rieck Robert Miles