Anthony points the way

SIGN HERE, PLEASE... Saddleworth’s Anthony Morrison (centre) fills in professional forms for Warrington, watched by Wolves and Rangers officials.

ANTHONY MORRISON has provided hope for hundreds of young rugby league players by signing for Super League giants Warrington Wolves.

Saddleworth Rangers chairman Terry Flanagan has looked on approvingly as the 18-year-old prop forward has taken an unusual path to the top of the professional ranks.

Morrison, a Rangers boy through and through, was not picked up by Super League scouts at an early age,

Instead, he went on to represent his country in the amateur ranks, touring Australia late last year with the Great Britain Community Lions under-18s squad.

As far as former Oldham RL and Great Britain star Flanagan is concerned, Morrison's efforts in claiming an academy contract are inspirational.

"Anthony has been with us since he was seven years old and has put in so much hard work and dedication," said Flanagan, whose son Mark — now with Wests Tigers in the NRL in Australia — also side-stepped the usual pathway into Super League by first going to university.

"He has matured into someone who is a very promising player.

“And it shows all aspiring kids that if you are not with an academy from the age of 13, there is still a chance for you."

Having taken up training with Warrington, where he is working alongside his former Saddleworth team-mate Gareth Morgan, Morrison is aiming to put in more hard graft in order to prove himself worthy of a further contract in 12 months' time.

"It is an exciting move for me and I am just going to put in as much effort as I can," he said.