Luke Mitchell, who stands at 198cm and tips the scales at just under 140kg, has signed on after a two-year stint with the Redcliffe Dolphins, where he earned a cult following. Mitchell's arrival, the return of Jaz Nahu-Main and the signing of Tom Hearn have added considerable size to last year's wooden spooners. Flannery said the club had targeted front-rowers after a review of their playing stocks identified a need for more big men.

"We identified that (the front row) as a department we really wanted to add to and really improve," Flannery said, adding that Mitchell had impressed during the pre-season.

"Obviously with his size, he's a pretty big boy," he said. "Hopefully we can have him running at the opposition and creating all sorts of problems.

"He has a good offload on him too."

Mitchell, 23, said he currently weighed in at 139kg but usually played at 130kg, which he hoped to reach during the season. If he were playing in the NRL, he would be the heaviest player in the competition, outweighing Dogs enforcer Sam Kasiano - 122kg according to the official media guide. A Morayfield-based electrician, Mitchell spent much of 2012 in the Dolphins Intrust Super Cup side, but played most of last year in second grade as he stepped away from football while building his house.

He said he saw himself as more than just an impact player and anticipated plenty of playing time. "I just want to be playing consistent football week in and week out," he said.

Steve Zemek

Sunshine Coast Daily

Full Article: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/sea-eagles-expecting-big-things-sea-eagles-going-f/2141169/