Wests Tigers playing a dangerous game

From a neutral perspective, it is very difficult not to fall in love with the way the Wests Tigers present themselves in such extravagant fashion week in, week out.

It was no different in yesterday’s come from behind victory against the Canberra Raiders, where Tim Sheens’ men fought back from a 16-point deficit to claim their third win of the season.

There is no denying that once the Tigers train gets on a roll on, there is probably no team in the NRL that can halt such offensive prowess with the football.

Not even the Raiders on their home turf could spoil the elite chemistry shared between a Tigers team which boosts some of the most creative, freakish and mobile players in the NRL.

Whilst Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah need no introductions in terms of their attacking capacity, players such as Beau Ryan, Tim Moltzen, Liam Fulton and Chris Lawrence add potency to a side already blessed with two of the most dominant playmakers in the NRL.

The rise in form from Tigers fullback Ryan in particular is nothing short of astounding, considering he was just a capable winger at the start of the season.

His past two weeks however have shown that Ryan is at home in the no.1 jersey, scoring a try and making over 206 metres against the Raiders to coincide with his great performance last Friday night against the Parramatta Eels.

Ryan’s sudden spark in form has only been matched by the massive impact made by returning Tigers son Liam Fulton, who last year was playing in the English Super League.

Fulton has probably been the Tigers most consistent player this season, thanks to his ability to play as an extra half/five-eighth and hit like a rock in defence.

Against Canberra, Fulton made 29 tackles and scored two tries in a performance that should not have gone unnoticed by NSW Origin selectors.

Fulton’s inclusion to the Tigers line-up this season has provided both Marshall and Farah with an extra forward capable of playing before the line and providing the space necessary for the two to orchestrate an offensive raid.

For all the Tigers capabilities with the football however, their constant inability to start matches well has ultimately been the reason why they are yet to make the finals since winning the Premiership in 2005.

Tim Sheens’ men simply cannot rely on their attacking capabilities as a team, no matter how good it is, to get them out of trouble.

Sides such as the Melbourne Storm, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury Bulldogs never present a window of opportunity once a victory is within their grasp.

The Tigers need to only look at how the Storm have ruthlessly defended such meagre totals so far this season to realise how difficult it can be to make up lost ground against the Premiership contenders.

It must be hugely frustrating for the majority of Tigers fans to sit through 80 minutes of football knowing their team will provide moments of utter chaos against both the opposition and themselves.

If the Tigers can somehow start their matches as well as they finish them, there is no doubt they have the side and skill necessary to win this year’s premiership, let alone make the finals for the first time in five seasons.