Tidswell closer to joining the Eagles

After being named by NSW Country Eagles coach Darren Coleman as a potential player to compete in the National Rugby Championship starting next month, Tidswell confirmed that the club’s general manager James Grant had made contact with him.

He said the discussion was about the chance to train with the NSW Waratahs and measure where his game sits.

“I’m pretty stoked about it. I got a call and was asked if I’d be interested in coming down and having a look around,” Tidswell said.

“Over there they’d be doing some work on different aspects of my game. They’d take you through and find your strengths in one area and see what you could improve on.

“I said it’s definitely something that I would consider.”

Tidswell believes he’s got some of the best football of his career under his belt over this season and hopes an Eagles contract can be his reward.

“If it went ahead, I’d be grinning from ear to ear. It would certainly be one to put on the highlight reel for me,” he said. 

“It’s been a great year for me. I won the Caldwell Cup and then I was named for the Country [Cockatoos] team and now this.

“I feel like I’m playing some of my best footy I’ve played, but I’m always trying to be consistent with it. Even if I’m winning or losing I’m always trying to play at the same level.”

The Bulldogs have had a number of players missing throughout the season through representative duties and though the NRC schedule is yet to be unveiled, there’s a chance it could collide with the end of the local competition.

Tidswell, who is missing this weekend’s Central West Rugby match due to Country Cockatoos duties, believes it’s important to make the most of what comes your way.

“I don’t think we’ve had a week so far where we’ve fielded the same team two weeks in a row because of us having players out on rep duty. 

“It can be hard on the team sometimes but when these opportunities come around you’ve got to take them.”