By Alan Nicolea -
August 18th 2009 @ 1:17am
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Loading ...Wests Tigers looking specials Premiership
Sunday’s match against cellar dwellers the Cronulla Sharks had the potential to be a very dangerous game for the Wests Tigers.
Not only were Tim Sheen’s men expected to account for the wooden spoon contenders, his side could have also been guilty of sowing up their best form until next week’s massive showdown against rivals the Parramatta Eels.
What one thought would be a danger game however, turned out to be a training run for the Tigers, as they registered a record 56-10 thumping against the toothless Sharks.
After their lacklustre display against the Sydney Roosters last week, the Tigers shed all their complacency against the Sharks to score ten tries in another brilliant showcase of their offensive vertigo.
In his 100th first grade game for the Tigers, Benji Marshall was superb, scoring 24 points against the Sharks to set-up a mouth watering individual duel with Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne this Friday night.
Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki continues to reap the benefits of attacking craftsmen such as Marshall and Farah, scoring a hat-trick of tries that now makes him the leading try-scorer in the NRL this season.
The Kiwi winger has crossed for 21 tries this year and rightfully deserves to be credited as the most devastating winger in the competition, despite the great form of the Morris brothers and Bulldogs flanker Bryson Goodwin.
Although all of the Tigers four pointers were scored by their backline players, it was their forwards that conjured up the necessary ingredients to conjure up a 46 point thrashing against Cronulla.
The Sharks simply had no answers defending against arguably the most creative pack of forwards in the NRL.
The Tigers second row of Todd Payten, Gareth Ellis and Chris Heighington are supremely gifted ball players for men of their size and strength.
Ellis in particular has surprised many with his offloading skills, producing a gem for replacement forward John Skandalis to run on to and set up a Tigers try in the first half.
Although props Bryce Gibbs and Keith Galloway are renowned for their yardage gaining abilities, they also produce the occasional offload that sets the platform for the Tigers to destroy opposition defences.
Indeed another player that has really come to his own this season in that regard, is Tigers fullback Tim Moltzen.
Requested to fill the substantial void left by departed fullback Brett Hodgson, Moltzen has now become an integral part of the Tigers overall structure in both attack and defence.
His combination with both Farah and Marshall this season has yielded the Tigers their most lethal offensive unit since 2005.
On that occasion, the Tigers made do with the supreme ball playing qualities of Scott Prince, who has since departed to the Gold Coast Titans.
Although not has gifted as Prince yet, Moltzen has become a utility player of the highest order, being able to cover the halves and fullback with ease.
He was once again at his scheming best against the Sharks, producing numerous line-breaks and try assists to guide the Tigers home.
Now on the back of a six match winning streak, it appears the Tigers appear home and hosed for their first finals birth since their premiership victory in 2005.
However, a barrier that takes the form of a red hot Eels side now stands in the way of the Tigers firmly securing a top eight birth.
With all guns firing to maximum capacity from both teams this season, Friday night’s tussle between the Tigers and the Eels may just showcase which team will continue their fairytale ride into this season’s Grand final
Although the Eels run has been nothing short of brilliant, there is just something a little more special about a Tigers winning streak that looks strangely familiar with their golden run four years ago.
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(19)
mushi said | August 18th 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Alan, the Tigers didn’t really have a great finish to 2005 they dropped 3 of their last 5 and over their last 8 games went 2-2 against other eventual top 8 teams.
Phil said | August 18th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Don’t know where you get your stats from Mushi but in 2005 the Wests Tigers lost their last 2 (one against a top 8 team – Melbourne) after winning 8 in a row before that (with 4 of these teams being top 8 teams). I’d call that pretty hot!
That aside, the Tigers are a long way from achieving what they did in 2005. If they beat the Eels this Friday night then it will at least be game on!
mushi said | August 18th 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment
My apologies I misread one of the results on NRL stats. You are correct.
I just remembered them not starting the finals in great form so went and looked at it (I’d call two double digit loses poor form)
Michael B said | August 18th 2009 @ 8:15am | Report comment
Tigers probably have the toughest run home of all the teams vying for a top 8 spot. They play Parra, Titans and Bulldogs. They can probably afford to drop one game. Anyhow, it should be an interesting few weeks coming up. I can’t wait.
Tigers play a nice brand of footy and are probably my 2nd favourite team to watch after the Eels. For this reason, i do hope they make the finals.. its better than watching some of the more boring tactics we’ve seen in recent years.
Terry Kidd said | August 18th 2009 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Specials for the premiership? Gee Alan thats a big call. If Farah is denied the opportunity to run the Tigers lose an awful lot and Farah often becomes frustrated and over plays his hand. Revisit your article in 3 weeks after you have played the Eels, Titans and Doggies …. then see where the Tigers are at.
Choppy said | August 18th 2009 @ 11:35am | Report comment
A massive call, like Parramatta IF they get into the 8 they can certainly cause some havoc in the finals, but neither the Tigers or Eels are certainties to make it.
Tigers have Eels, Titans and Dogs
Eels have Tigers, Panthers and Dragons
2/3 might not even be enough with other results.
alan nicolea said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
Guys
That’s why i have called the Tigers my special bets for the Premiership. Sure they are not certainties to make the final nor the top eight for that matter but if they do get to the finals in a reasonable position, who knows what could happen. The Bulldogs and the Dragons have showed that they are currently the two teams that deserve to be there on Grand Final day, but a Tigers side which has revived its season when many thought it was lost, deserves a mention as a special bet IMO. Good luck to them.
Worlds Biggest said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
Given the Tigers late season capitulation the last few years I wouldn’t be putting any money on the Tigers to make the 8 just yet.Since 05 they have missed the playoffs twice as they stumbled before the finishing line. On both occasions they looked sure things to make the semi’s. The Eels game will give us a better indication of where they stand I think.
Tom said | August 18th 2009 @ 5:41pm | Report comment
Wow, they beat the Sharks! Watch out Dragons and Dogs! You Tigers fanboys are a joke.
MyGeneration said | August 18th 2009 @ 6:09pm | Report comment
I don’t think Moltzen is playing anywhere near the level of Hodgson in 2005, and Benji’s haphazard approach is nothing like the steady direction Prince gave them then. They also had a dream run with injuries that year. I think they are the best team to watch in the comp, but I can’t see them getting very far even if they make the finals. Mind you, if they unplug the Eels this week, I might reconsider.
Mick from Giralang said | August 18th 2009 @ 6:46pm | Report comment
MyGen. I agree, I;m withholding judgement until the Eels game. But gee, I can sense a touch of 2005 about this Tigers team. I also get the sense from Tim Sheen’s press conferences that he’s a little more on edge than usual. It looks like he feels something special is brewing here, but he’s desperate to keep a lid on it.
MyGeneration said | August 18th 2009 @ 6:11pm | Report comment
BTW, Alan, I know they reached great heights, but “offensive vertigo”? It was the Sharks’ heads that were spinning…
Loiner said | August 18th 2009 @ 8:12pm | Report comment
All,
As a Leeds Rhinos season ticket holder, I’m interested in how Ellis has performed down under. He was one of our best players and we’ve missed his graft this season. I’ve swithched my NRL allegiance to Wests because of him but the brief NRL match reports in our media don’t mention him that specifically. Is he impressing for Tigers?
This article seems as apropriate as any other to ask this question. Thanks in advance.
Alan Nicolea said | August 19th 2009 @ 6:53am | Report comment
Loiner
You have no idea buddy. He is firming as one of the buys of the season. Ellis’s versatility as a backrower has provided the Tigers with a great yardage gainer and a gifted offloader. His game should really evolve if the Tigers make the finals.
Alan Nicolea said | August 19th 2009 @ 6:59am | Report comment
MyGeneration
I know that they thrashed the potential wooden spooners, but their attacking football over the last six weeks has been outstanding. They have been very clinical to say the least. Indeed their game against the Eels will show alot about where they are truly at. Moltzen for mine has developed into a fine player and i think he could be a potential matchwinner against the Eels.
MyGeneration said | August 19th 2009 @ 6:31pm | Report comment
I agree we will know a lot more after Friday night. And Saturday and Sunday. It’s a great round coming up! [Note: I am assuming that all we will know after Monday night is that the Bulldogs are still pretty good and the Roosters are still crap]
Terry Kidd said | August 19th 2009 @ 7:00am | Report comment
But Ellis only seems to play down the left side of the ruck. Is that a Sheen’s plan or is that where he is most comfortable and just naturally goes there?
Mick from Giralang said | August 19th 2009 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
As a rule, backrowers tend to stick to one side of the field. Sometimes it’s because they pass better on one side, or they have a stronger shoulder for the tackle, or their mix of abilities works better with teammates who are also positioned on that side. Of course, all this goes out the window if you;ve ever coached an Under 10s side…
GaryGnu said | August 20th 2009 @ 1:28am | Report comment
Loiner,
After a slow start to the season I have been very impressed with Ellis. He took a little time to find his feet in attack, he often ran angles when running straight would do the trick and vice versa. However, along with the team he has improved greatly. I personally like his ability to step just before the line and his offloads. In defence he is as strong as I would expect any English Test forward to be.
I agree that Moltzen has been a great addition to this years team. He does play a similar role to Hodgson at fullback and it is no coincidence that the Tigers form improved with his move to halfback.
Apart from the score the other striking thing about the Cronulla game for me was not remembering Robert Luis. Generaly the nervous debutant makes a few mistakes that stick in the memory but not this time. Perhaps a real player for the future there. I hope he gets the chance to prove himself against sterner opposition.