Ellis dreaming of Tigers glory

Wests Tigers enforcer Gareth Ellis is hoping to write his name in history by adding to an NRL premiership to his list of honours.

If Ellis can help his Tigers team mates win the Grand Final in October, he will become just the eleventh Englishman to have won titles at home and in Australia.

After joining the Tigers in 2008, the 30-year-old second-rower became a revelation with the joint-venture club.

Ellis’ neat footwork, high work-rate and hammering hits in defence made him a favourite with fans and earned him back-to-back club player of the year awards.

But this year he has been plagued by ankle and groin injuries and even travelled back to the UK mid-season in a bid to freshen up.

It seems to have worked, with the former Leeds Rhinos player putting in several solid performances at the back end of the season.

But now Ellis’ sights are firmly on helping the Tigers capture their first premiership since 2005.

“It would be unbelievable. I came thinking I was going to win one. I really believed – that’s why I came,’’ Ellis said.

“It is a very elite band of players to have won competitions back in England and in Australia. To join that group would make me a very happy person.”

The Tigers must first overcome the Warriors on Friday, who will undoubtedly be eager to bounce back from their 40-10 flogging at the hands of Brisbane.

“We will have to be on our mettle to just compete and get one over them,’’ added Ellis.

“They are all going to be up for a big game and there are probably one or two players that are probably disappointed with their performances (against Brisbane) and I am sure they would want to put that right.”