Comments on: Wests Tigers looking specials Premiership

By: GaryGnu

GaryGnu — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:28:01 +0000

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.

By: MyGeneration

MyGeneration — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:31:52 +0000

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]

By: Mick from Giralang

Mick from Giralang — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:17:00 +0000

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…

By: Terry Kidd

Terry Kidd — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:00:22 +0000

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?

By: Alan Nicolea

Alan Nicolea — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:59:46 +0000

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.

By: Alan Nicolea

Alan Nicolea — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:53:24 +0000

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.

By: Loiner

Loiner — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:12:33 +0000

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.

By: Mick from Giralang

Mick from Giralang — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:46:05 +0000

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.

By: MyGeneration

MyGeneration — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:11:52 +0000

BTW, Alan, I know they reached great heights, but “offensive vertigo”? It was the Sharks’ heads that were spinning…

By: MyGeneration

MyGeneration — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:09:38 +0000

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.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:41:58 +0000

Wow, they beat the Sharks! Watch out Dragons and Dogs! You Tigers fanboys are a joke.

By: Worlds Biggest

Worlds Biggest — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:37:39 +0000

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.

By: alan nicolea

alan nicolea — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:37:20 +0000

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.

By: Choppy

Choppy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:35:08 +0000

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.

By: mushi

mushi — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:05:19 +0000

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)

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:12:34 +0000

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!

By: Terry Kidd

Terry Kidd — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:25:42 +0000

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.

By: Michael B

Michael B — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:15:13 +0000

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.

By: mushi

mushi — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:08:42 +0000

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.