Senior Wests Tigers officials are quick to point out that there are only five more weeks before Heamasi Makasini turns 18 and is eligible to play in the NRL. To put the excitement surrounding Makasini – who was the only 17-year-old picked in the under-19s NSW Origin team this week – into perspective, the Tigers have not ruled out pitching him into the centres in first grade this year, and have already quickly to sign him until the end of 2028 season. A goal-kicking left centre who is still attending Newington College, Makasini said he was more than comfortable committing to a long-term league deal – and ignoring advances from rugby – because “the Tigers are where my home is”. “I had interest last year from Japan with the Panasonic Wild Knights, they tried to get me over and asked me to tour their facility, while I also met with the Waratahs,” Makasini said on Friday. “But the Tigers are home. I’m a local junior, I can see something brewing at the club, and I want to be a part of it.”