Blake Austin leaves Tigers to join Raiders Blake Austin in action for the Tigers. BLAKE Austin has been granted a release from the final year of his contract with the Wests Tigers to take up a three-year deal with Canberra. The utility playmaker joined the Tigers in 2014 and was a standout for the club. Despite being wanted at the joint-merger for next season, the allure of playing five-eighth on a regular basis, coupled with a long-term deal was the carrot for Austin to join the Raiders. It is believed Austin will replace out-of-favour veteran Terry Campese. Blake Austin during Wests Tigers training. "On behalf of Wests Tigers I'd like to thank both Blake and James for their efforts while here at the Club and wish them well at their new Clubs," said new coach Jason Taylor. Both players have made it abundantly clear that they saw their future elsewhere and therefore we had no hesitation in granting their release. "We understand that Wests Tigers supporters will be disappointed in their decision but it gives the Club an opportunity to review the playing roster for the coming years," he said. We're committed to building a strong Club for the future and need to be sure that the players join me on this journey. Originally published as Austin leaves Tigers to join Raiders