Only recently turned 20 years old, Jett Hobbs stands 193cm, weighs 120kg and has already been billed as the 2016 version of Anthony Coyle.

A man-mountain, Coyle was a sensation at Tumut and set the Blues up as the most successful team in the Group Nine premiership of the past decade or so.

Tumut president Dan Roddy has described Hobbs as a “big unit” and described the potent young forward as a second-coming of Coyle.

“We all know what a terrific player he (Coyle) was,” Roddy said.

“All the reports say Jett can be just as good.”

Leaving aside comparisons, Hobbs is certainly a front rower with a difference.

Born and bred on the northern beaches in Sydney, Hobbs played for Narrabeen Sharks before being headhunted to the Penrith A grade competition this year.

Signifcantly, Hobbs caught the eye of recruiters in 2015 as much for his try-scoring prowess as his bulldozing charges up the middle.

“I was playing under 19s for Narrabeen and scored 23 tries in 14 games,” Hobbs said. “I think that was got their attention.”

For Hobbs, averaging almost two tries a game this year in a powerful domestic competition sets him aside from most props.

Likewise, his attitude to alcohol is also far removed from the lifestyle of many young front rowers.

“I don’t drink, I don’t do anything,” Hobbs said.

“I really don’t have an off-season. I just keep on training. I keep fit.”

Clearly excited about the “big move” to the mountains, Hobbs is poised to be a revelation in Group Nine, setting a positive tone for his new team-mates.

The third of Tumut’s major signings since Luke Srama was appointed captain-coach, Hobbs is relishing the thought of playing in Group Nine.

Meanwhile, Albury has confirmed experienced halfback Jay Little has trained with the Thunder since the end of the season.

Little, who played for Tumbarumba this year, is on the radar on the border as a possible replacement for halfback Cameron Breust.

Breust has switched to Group 10 club Cowra, leaving the door open for Little.

The Thunder have also regained second rower Jon Huggett and is one of four clubs asked to be part of the NRL State of Mind campaign, an initiative looking to address mental illness.