Rugby league supremo Phil Gould believes out-of-favour Tigers fullback Daine Laurie would be a perfect fit for a shock club — the Melbourne Storm.
The 23-year-old has fallen down the fullback pecking order under the coaching trio of Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah after spending two years in the No.1 jersey.
An injury sidelined the gun fullback in Round 3 before he returned off the bench in Round 4 and was dropped only a week later with Adam Doueihi playing at the back.
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Now Charlie Staines will play fullback, with Laurie not named in the starting 17 to face the Eels on Easter Monday, prompting Gould to float a shock move for the former Panther.
“He is the sort of player who could go down and replace Papenhuyzen at Melbourne, and just shine,” Gould said on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“Absolutely shine, no risk in the world, you get him in a good side like that.”
Nick Meaney has filled in for the injured Papenhuyzen at fullback, with a return date for the 24-year-old star still up in the air.
Last season, David Nofoaluma was also loaned to the Tigers to fill their injury void and now Laurie could follow the same route.
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Gould praised Laurie’s ability and explained he is an “X-factor” player, being involved with the gun fullback during his time at the Panthers.
“I think Daine Laurie would be a good pick-up for any team. He is an exciting player, things happen around him.
“He is a kid that when he was younger used to get very homesick, he was a very humble kid. He didn’t sell himself very well, but he was a very talented footballer.
“But as he is maturing he’s getting better and better with that. He’s a tough kid as well. I’ve got no doubt he is a weapon in any team he plays in.”
The floated move comes only days after the fullback was slammed for liking an Instagram video of Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo scoring against the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
The video, posted by the official NRL account, shows Cobbo pouncing on a loose ball before sprinting 85 metres to score during Brisbane’s emphatic 46-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Laurie was reportedly angry at the reaction from fans, given he was simply liking a try from Cobbo who is a personal friend.
