Wests Tigers finally ready to get down and dirty

All the way up North from PNG, I am still optimistic about WT prospects in 2013. Can't say much about the problems faced...it is normal and I am pretty sure other clubs are going through some sort of problems too!! One thing for certain, no matter what ever happens, I am and will always remain a strong West Tigers' fan. "GO THE TIGERS..."

Yep, Heighno a great clubman but let's face it Fulton can do anything he can and is much more versatile. We only needed one of them. Peter, your early comment on the centres is on the mark, this is a big gap. I understand moving half and 5/8 so much makes it very hard for them, though that being said Ashford was a hole in the defensive line. I'm not sure about Siro in 20's. I would like to see him in the centres over Ashford. I can't even talk about Moltzen - I just don't know why he can't get his head right. The Barry, yep good call on the front row problem. Fact is front row is a huge problem. We need min one more very solid prop. Blair will come good, but as a second rower. One of the young guys will have to emerge. Anaster will be great for us. I don't even doubt it. The depth and consistency he will bring is remarkable.think about it, he turns up for 80 mins week in week out. He can play anywhere. He has big match experience. He may not be a game breaker, but hang on... We don't need a game breaker. He can play his natural game and take pressure off Farah and Marshall. Without the pressure of having to kick Farah will be able to run more, benji can stand wider and miller will have some of the best cover defense on his inside all year. Best fit to a team I can remember in a long time. All this aside, defence is the key and mindset is central to that. If Woods keeps getting better like he looks to be doing he will lead the forwards out of our 20m line.

They have never looked like being a bottom 4 team.... except the Hopa-Lamb (2) years in the early 00's. Mick Potter is no Lamb, he will select on form only, and is not the players "mate". The scoop: Marshall to want "out" by 2013's end. Both player and club will be the better for it as well.

It has already been confirmed that Benji will be playing 5/8 next year. Since Potter's signing, Anasta has publicly stated he would be happy to play anywhere. With Heighington at the Sharks, Anasta will slot into lock nicely. Miller will most likely be getting his chance at half back and I think the kid could be something brilliant if he gels well with Benji. We still have Sironen as an option but he is still young enough to play Toyota Cup and get some more game time on his dodgy shoulder. Ellis was one of our best forwards but Heighington??? He was loyal and tried his best but his best didn't cut it in my opinion. He was one player I was not dissapointed to see leaving. Ben Murdoch-Masila is a very promising forward and the fact there is so much depth in the forwards, I think that will bring out the best in all of them. I agree with Titans, Panthers and Eels in your bottom 4. I think you might see St George struggling next year as well. Canberra is another team that could potentially finish in the finals or struggle at the bottom of the ladder. Campese is key but riddled with injury. I am very confident Tigers will place in the 8 or even the top 4 if Potter can gain respect, heal a few riffs and the team is relatively injury free.

It's going to be a long season for the Tigers. I don't see how the recruitment of fringe first graders makes up for losing their best two forwards Ellis and Heighington. And that's on top of losing Gibbs and Fifita. Gavet has played what - one or two games of first grade. Thompson was a fringe player at the struggling gold coast. Pettybourne's good but was surplus to requirements at Redfern. They're not going to strike fear into any opposition packs and Woods and Galloway are going to have to do most of the grunt work on their own. As for Anasta - that's a case of signing someone because he's available not because he fits into the side. Clearly playing Marshall at 7 doesn't work and Anasta has stated again and again that he wants to play 6 and not in the back row. Bottom 4 with the Titans, Panthers and Eels.

Mick Potter has a great deal of work to do. The Farah vs Marshall fiasco must have some truth to it. Although the club and the players keep denying it. Why can't this team produce a consistent season? How did Blair go from a Bull Terrier at the Storm to a Labrador at the Tigers? The so called entertainers need to keep it entertaining when they are on attack, not in defence. Following the Black n Golds for a long time, their 80s hey-day was on the back of some brutal forward power ( Pearce, Roach, Sironen, Elias, Helmsley etc ). I'd like to see the same mongrel again.

I agree with you to a point Ryan. I believe Potter has the stocks at his disposal already. We have lost some key players but I think the recruitment for 2013 has been excellent. There is a lot of hate towards Anasta but I think a change for him will be the best thing for his game. He'll play a ball playing lock with the versatility to move into the halves if required. Korobiete will cause havoc on the wing. Pettybourne, Thompson and Buchanen will provide much needed depth in the forwards. Tedesco (Pray for an injury free and fully recovered) will be an outstanding full back. It's the existing players I am concerned with. Our centres, Ayshford and Lawrence had very poor years. Moltzen seems to have no confidence anymore and has lost his spark of 2011. Marshall, although brilliant at times, can make some really silly decisions at the worst possible times. I am hoping the addition of Anasta will calm him down a bit and provide another option with our kicking game. Miller will also have a lot more game time this year and I believe this kid has the potential to be something great! Have faith Ryan. I think the Tigers can return to the form of 2010 and 2011.

As a paid up loyal supporter of my beloved Tiges I am very worried about expectations being raised on 2013 performance. We need a season of rebuilding. A season where the coach can focus on the build and not the table. I agree with the need for stronger defence, built on concentration and discipline. This will also take time. The future is bright, the stocks have potential.

I am expecting better results than the 2010 and 2011 seasons and more discipline as mentioned in the report. I am a massive Tigers fan and hugely confident that they could potentially go all the way. It is going to be a tough year for all teams as there is so much talent in the NRL and 10 of the 16 teams boast a squad that could take out the comp.

The simplistic approach maybe applied when down in their opponents try line but once we get close to our try line then the attacking flair should still be the one used. The unpredictability is what opponents fear most. Harry I mean Mick would've instilled a lot of discipline in this department. Go TIGERS!!! :D

Its a good pack..on paper