Packing a huge punch

THE faltering Tigers will welcome back the extra grunt that Russell Packer brings to the table when they face North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval tomorrow night.

After a great start to the season, the Packer-less Tigers have managed just one win in the past four weeks.

Back-rower Michael Chee Kam said the Kiwi international’s aggression and go forward had been sorely missed.

“He’s a mongrel in the middle of the field,” Chee Kam said. “He’s a leader, too, and we missed it out on the field.

“He brings a lot of energy and talk and he really slows down that middle. We’ve missed that a lot.”

The Tigers go into the clash at Leichhardt on the back of a three-game losing streak.

NORTH Queensland Cowboys star Scott Bolton broke into tears yesterday while reading a statement to the media in Townsville just two days after being charged by Sydney police with an alleged indecent assault.

Bolton, who is set to be rushed back to Sydney after being included in North Queensland’s line-up against Wests Tigers tomorrow night, said: “I am taking the matter very seriously and co-operating fully with both the police and the NRL integrity unit. I would ask that you respect the privacy of my wife and my family who are supporting me through this difficult time.”

Bolton was charged on Sunday following a complaint by a female patron at a Bondi bar on Saturday night when the Cowboys were out for dinner and drinks while in camp in Sydney.

Bolton is allowed by the NRL to continue playing while the investigation is conducted.