The fans of western Sydney NRL teams have had a hard time in recent seasons.
Wests Tigers and Penrith Panthers have been in just two finals series each since 2005. The Eels, meanwhile, have been in finals purgatory since they lost the 2009 grand final to the Melbourne Storm, a long six years for their members and fans.
The Bulldogs, under the charge of Des Hasler, are the only ones flying a banner for the west on a regular basis with four finals series and two grand finals in their last four seasons.
With such a well-documented rugby league nursery on their doorstep, it is difficult to see why periods of dominance are so elusive for the other three western Sydney clubs. Poor governance, coaching appointments and roster issues are just some of the hurdles that these clubs have had over recent years.
The Bulldogs are reaping the benefits of a good culture under Hasler as well as good management of their roster, with an ability to grow and develop players.
The Panthers are also looking as though they may be building into such a period as they work hard to build a culture and develop talent, evidenced by their lower grade successes in recent seasons.
The Eels are finally moving into a position to be competitive. They are attempting to build a culture under Brad Arthur, one of accountability that saw Chris Sandow out the door at the end of last season in acrimonious circumstances. They have recruited well for 2016 in the likes of Kieran Foran, Michael Gordon and Beau Scott, and have strong foundations to build on from last season.
The big question mark is the Tigers.
They have three of the most exciting young prospects in Luke Brooks, Moses Mbaye and James Tedesco, but also lack experience. The man who should be their biggest role model has serious question marks over his leadership with much of what happens at the Tigers revolving around Robbie Farah rather than the team itself.
There are also serious issues with the salary cap their coach is under massive pressure. They are facing an uphill battle this year.
The question for NRL fans is whether or not any of these clubs can realistically make it far in 2016. Should the stars align then any one of them could make it at a pinch, but it’s time for more than that. There is plenty of potential in western Sydney and the fans in one of the game’s ‘heartlands’ deserve better on a more regular basis.
The Sea Eagles, Storm, Broncos and Cowboys, among others, have enjoyed periods of dominance and it would be refreshing to see new faces in the finals series. The underdog story in rugby league is an age-old cliche, but to see the Eels or Tigers upset a glamour club in September would be healthy for the game.
To have match-ups between each other at the pointy end would also be positive. The Eels versus Bulldogs preliminary final in 2009 as well as the Bulldogs versus Panthers match in the 2014 series were fantastic for the NRL in western Sydney.
I can’t see any of the teams being there on grand final day in 2016 and I struggle to see the Tigers reaching September. But there are positives to be seen for them moving forward if they can retain and develop their talent.
Whatever happens, it is positive to go into a season where at least three of the western Sydney clubs have a realistic chance of making the top eight.
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