After a disastrous first up performance against the Newcastle Knights to begin their 2013 campaign, the Wests Tigers have rebounded with wins over the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels.
But how much can you really take out of these first three games?
The Knights had a glut of possession in round one and rightfully put the Tigers to the sword.
In rounds two and three, their opposition simply did not show up. But you can only play what is in front of you and to Wests’ credit, they took the competition points on both occasions.
Thursday night the Tigers head up the F3 Freeway for a clash with rivals, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. If the Tigers want to know where they really sit so far in 2013, a clash with Manly is the perfect yardstick.
Manly have always been the Tigers’ yardstick. Through good times and bad, Wests usually know how well they are travelling after facing the Eagles.
Tigers’ fans have enjoyed a pretty entertaining couple of weeks but the aggression and brutality that Manly plays with could very easily bring Benji Marshall and company crashing back to earth.
A golden-point victory in round one last season against the Cronulla Sharks had the Tigers roaring. The following week the Eagles beat them 22-18 in a gruelling encounter. This was the beginning of a five match losing streak that would eventually see the Tigers miss the playoffs.
In 2011, Manly were sitting pretty in second place heading into their round 21 clash with the seventh placed Tigers who were fighting to stay afloat heading towards the finals.
Wests were looking for their third straight win but knew a stern test lay ahead of them against the eventual premiers.
The Tigers won that night by a mere two points. But it was almost like they had to prove themselves against the Sea Eagles who thrive on the contest.
This was the third victory of a nine match win streak that took the Tigers all the way to the second week of the playoffs.
A win is a win and the Tigers will be content with victories against Parramatta and Penrith over the passed two weeks.
But if Wests want to beat Manly on Thursday night, they need 17 stars, not just Marshall and Robbie Farah.
Farah and Marshall are improving each week. Farah leads the NRL in tackles, try assists and line break assists while Marshall leads the competition in points.
The players themselves know that Thursday is a true litmus test. Whether Marshall and Farah shine is elementary.
The game will be won and lost in the middle. If Aaron Woods, destined for State of Origin this year, can have another big performance, Wests are a hope. When the young prop leads the rest follow.
It’s only early, but the signs have been good over the passed two weeks. But a clash with Manly puts everything in perspective.
Win or lose Thursday night, we will know exactly where the Tigers sit after going to battle with the Sea Eagles.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
Nice
Michael Waldron
Roar Rookie
Manly's problems will be because they have a few injuries floating around, including Matai's neck and Choc's ribs. It should be a fantastic forwards battle but will the Tigers click on their execution?
Adam Bishop
Roar Pro
PS GREAT headline, don't let anybody tell you otherwise Curtis - people should dam well show you some common Curtis - ey !
Adam Bishop
Roar Pro
The Tigers haven't really beaten a side who has played well yet. This is Manly's game for mine.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Troubling. I know Anasta and Blair can play tough. Whether they want to is another question.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
Love a cringe-worthy pun. Aaron Woods will definitely need to stand up through the middle, which I am confident he will, given his consistent nature. I do have concerns with the back-row, in that both their major second-row recruits of the past two seasons, Blair and Anasta, have not had the desired impact within the Tigers pack. Still hurting from the loss of Heigno and Ellis. Defence will be key. Anything likened to their round 1 goal-line defence will be heavily punished.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
One million apologies mate!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Tsk, tsk, Curtis!
Curtis Woodward
Expert
A press conference will be held shortly.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
No, no. This one is mine, Nathan.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
There is no excuse for a headline this bad - for shame, sub-editor, for shame!
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Wouldn't be surprised if the Tigers come out and come very close to a victory.
Mals
Guest
Well said Curtis. If the Tigpies turn up wanting to play touch footy they are in trouble, Manly will smash them. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
eagleJack
Guest
These games are always tight. I feel the Tigers always move away from their traditional style and focus on the tough stuff. Knowing the game will be won up the middle. I have question marks over the Tigers forward pack this year. Woods will be a great but is still only young. And Buchanan is a rookie. No Galloway is huge. But Manly are still missing King and have lost Fa'aoso (one assumes) to suspension. So they are a bit light on up front as well. Still you would give the advantage to Kite and Lawrence. The Kiwi v Kiwi matchup of Foran v Marshall will be one to watch as well. 2 exceptional players with vastly different playing styles Really looking forward to this one. Manly are going in with better form imo, but that usually counts for little in these battles.
Andy
Guest
Because this game is not at Brookvale it is at a more neutral ground, i think the tigers can get a win here. Manly looked off against the titans and missed a few try scoring opportunities. Also, the Manly bench looks a little inexperienced besides Galuvao.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
For as long as i can remember these two sides seem to like playing each other and with the level of ball playing creativity on the park these games are always bringing out something spectacular for the fans to watch, cant wait.