West Maitland junior Sam Anderson will be coached by former Brisbane Broncos mentor Anthony Griffin for the next two seasons after signing a deal with Queensland Cup side the Redcliffe Dolphins.
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Anderson will relocate north of the border this month before joining Griffin and the squad for pre-season training on November 2.
It will be quite the sea change for the 24-year-old and his family, partner Emily and daughter Isabella, after three seasons at the foot of the Blue Mountains with the Penrith Panthers.
The former Kurri Kurri Bulldogs first grader said he was looking forward to the new adventure and receiving guidance from a coach with NRL experience.
“The major reason I have come up here is for Anthony Griffin,” Anderson.
“He is fresh from the Broncos with NRL experience and an NRL coach in waiting.
“After meeting with him recently I was really impressed and I’ll be doing all I can to impress him on the field.”
Redcliffe are one of several clubs from Queensland Cup which act as a feeder to the Broncos.
It means the NRL remains in reach for Anderson, who played seven first grade matches for the Panthers after debuting in 2013.
During that period Anderson won a reserve grade premiership and has also represented NSW residents on three occasions, including a State of Origin curtain-raiser.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Panthers and my time in reserve grade, especially with coach Garth Brennan,” he said.
“I’ve had the chance to play first grade, won a NSW Cup competition and I’ve had three years of NSW Residents.”
The prop forward will join former Penrith teammates Luke Capewell and Anthony Cherrington at Redcliffe.
The duo joined the Dolphins this season from Penrith with Capewell now captain and Cherrington named Queensland Cup back-rower of the year.
“They are both playing good footy up there,” Anderson said.
“I actually rang Luke about a month ago so he could give me the background on Redcliffe and recommended it.”
The 2011 Newcastle Knights NYC (under 20s) player of the year said he knew a little bit about his new club.
“They are a very strong club at the moment from what I understand,” he said.
“They are currently building a new 10,000 seat stadium, they are backed by a big leagues club and have strong community support.”
While with the Knights’ senior squad in 2012 he came back for Kurri in a local Mercury Shield derby against Maitland and was awarded man of the match.
