Still plenty in the tank for Tamou

VETERAN forward James Tamou believes he can still match it with the top players and wants to play on next season at the Wests Tigers.

The premiership winner considered retirement in the off-season after undergoing ankle surgery but said his body was still up to the rigours of NRL football.

After joining the club in 2021, Tamou is without a contract for next season but said the Tigers are a genuine option beyond this year.

“Absolutely, 100 per cent with the connections I have made here, ” Tamou said.

“But players come and go and you never know where you end up.

“Everything was on the table back in the off-season, including retirement, thinking about the kids and the family. “I feel like I’m still up to it. “If at any point I look at my game and think I’m a bit behind the eight ball, I’ll think about retirement. But at the moment, I think I can still compete each week.”

Tamou is one of five players, including Tommy Talau, Thomas Mikaele, William Kei and Jock Madden, without a deal for next season.