In 2014 Wests Tigers will boldly head in a new direction, a direction which contains more unanswered questions than sureties.
Gone is the mercurial marquee man Benji Marshall, who unofficially became the identity by which Wests Tigers were known by, replaced by an identity that remains an unknown at this point.
Not all has become unknown though at Concord, there are a fair few familiar names throughout the roster in 2014.
Seasoned veterans lead the way, such as captain Robbie Farah, Adam Blair, Liam Fulton Braith Anasta and Keith Galloway and they’ll be complemented by an experienced list including Chris Lawrence and Aaron Woods.
The biggest talking point though will come from the return of two players from the 2005 premiership winning class, Pat Richards and Dene Halatau.
The return of Richards and Halatau is more significant than it may appear on the surface. The experienced duo have been brought back as much for what they can bring off the field as on it, both being known for their high levels of professionalism.
In a season where the Tigers’ squad will contain less experience than ever before, finding the right kind of experience is critical. The example the likes of Halatau, Richards, Farah and any of the older heads in the squad decide to set will reflect on the younger players in the squad.
The Tigers will boast one of the youngest squads in 2014 and their top 17 will feature a fair smattering of youth on a week-to-week basis but there is serious potential throughout the younger players at Wests Tigers.
Halfback Luke Brooks will command the most scrutiny as the young buck who looks to take control of the halves after the departure of Benji Marshall.
Tim Simona and David Nofoaluma were mightily impressive in the second half of 2013 and Tigers fans have every confidence the talented duo can continue their NRL education with further positive results.
Fullback James Tedesco and back rower Sauaso Sue were dependable and showed toughness in their debut seasons. Both also both showed enough class to get the Tigers’ faithful excited about their futures.
Furthermore, Curtis Sironen will surely make his anticipated shift to the backrow, a move which potentially adds another dimension to the Tigers’ game.
All the different dimensions in the Tigers’ squad will rely on the leadership, experience and mentoring of the likes of Richards, Farah, Halatau and Anasta. Their importance here cannot be overstated!
The Tigers’ 2004 season had similarities with 2013 in terms of rebuilding, new coaches and even the win/loss ratio.
So can Wests Tigers turn the competition on its head once more? Can 2014 be the new 2005?
It’s highly unlikely but it’s safe to say, with the talent at hand, the Tigers should fare better in 2014 than they did in 2013.
Dave
Guest
Good point "The eye". No the big K would be one of the first picked. Simona has been a centre in the lower grades and with the pedestrian Ashford send on his way, he may well play there. We do need a kicker who can convert the fours into six points. If you look back over the last past couple of years, Benji's kicking percentage has cost us finals appearances. You quite rightly point out the defence. Last year I turned the TV gaeme off during many games. It apeared to me that they didn't want to be there on the field. If I was going to watch my team play footy, then they should have kept their end of the bargain up, and played footy. Defence is as much an anythibng else. All NRL forwards know how to tackle, not all are committed to do so. They just didn't bother putting their boodies on the line. I haven't renewed my membership after the platyers treated their members to such rubbish as they did last year. As for Blair, his contract expires at the end of the year I believe, and we should have the exit sign lit up now for him.
Gus Paella
Guest
Hurts so much to find that I agree with you Ronald. I feel dirty now.
peeeko
Guest
i think its mainly because that premiers have lost players from their squad after winning which the roosters have not. i really think the effect of a business class trip to England in Feb is overstated
Peaches
Guest
It's the same article at the start of every season just different names this time around. Here's hoping a better year for the mighty Wests Tigers.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Can't wait to see what more Luke Brooks can do!
Bigbaz
Guest
Have loved the Tiges since 61 but geez it's getting harder and harder to get excited by them ( a bit like marriage I suppose)
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
Kyle Lovett as well
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
@eagleJack, Cam Smith said... (excuses)
Marldon
Guest
I think you will be surprised, Richards has a good kicking game and he has matured over the last few years. As I said, I think he will do great things for the Tigers.
The eye
Guest
Fair enough,Dave..but if you were picking the side would you start him in front of a fit Korobeite ? @Will,I really hope you're right,but if Ellis and Heighington couldn't stem the tide,I don't know how Paterson and Halatau are going to cope,Blair just doesn't have it in him,Braith,well,can't imagine what Sheensy was thinking,and both gun props were seriously injured last year.Good luck to them but its going to get darker before it gets lighter...Farah breaks a bone,history.
mushi
Roar Guru
On an odds basis sure (as we tend to be a little rose coloured glass about the previous premiers overlooking their flaws) but the whole, rule a line through them seems a bit weird in a comp where 15 teams don't win each year. Not to be a harsh to the tigers but I've also done okay out of taking the opposite side of their optimism each year!
Casper
Guest
2005 try scorer trying to relive the glory in 2014? he wasn't an 18 year old kid then either. If that's the best they've got, tigers will struggle. Hard for those guys, look at prince with the broncos - a season too far. Richards must have wanted to come back & retire around the balmain latte shops. Halatau was never much chop. Sironen will be a decent backrower if they use him there but they'd want to get a lot more consistency out of lawrence & woods who never aimed up last year.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Also hoping Nathan Brown can step up this season... he is, by all reports, a bit of a star in the making. Bit of mongrel about him too.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
You could be right Jack! Just seems that every season the reigning premiers start favourite or close to favourite in the following season, and they invariably fail to defend their title. Year after year after year... You could make a lot of money by laying the reigning premiers each year!
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
It's a good point about holding the centre defensively, but I think they've brought Paterson and Halatau in to help solve that problem. Both are experienced, hard working types and should help ease the load. At least I hope so.
Dave
Guest
A bit harshm on Richards's 2005 season mate. He palyed the final on one leg with a needle, and did plenty of work. He thoroughly deserved to score from the Benji magic pass. His whole season was a revelation. I don't think you can have any weaknesses if you are to go thorugh a gruelling season and win the ultimate game of the season. His kicking is exceptional as well. As for the comment re the middle ground, mate your are spot on. Un less and until they can stop teams walking through tackles, they are going nowhere. Korobeite, Simona, Nufuloma, Brooks, Mosos are exciting players but, if they don't have some grunt in the centre they will be lapped.
The eye
Guest
He would have had to grown another leg whilst in England cause he went away as an ordinary winger whose only claim to fame was putting the ball down in possibly one of the best ever GF tries.Korobeite is too good for reserve grade,he beats his injuries he's got to go in.. Tigers are perennially weak at holding the centre of the ground defensively,Fulton and Farah bear too much of the load.Backs won't save you if your forwards are going backwards..they haven't bought anyone to change that.Wooden spoon battle with the Raiders and Parra.
eagleJack
Guest
The huge difference is that the WCC is being played in Sydney this year. That has been the main contributing factor, in my opinion, on why defending premiers fade at the end of the year. Cam Smith said that you don't get over the travel effects until round 5. That has to play a large part, coupled with increased rep duties for the players, on why nobody has gone back-to-back for years. If SBW had gone back to rugby in 2014 then I'd say the Roosters wouldn't even be top 4. But with him there and the convenience of not having to travel to the UK, I give them a big chance.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
History shows how hard it is to win back to back titles - no-one has done it since Brisbane back in the Nineties (and some pretty hot sides have tried and failed). Accordingly, you can put a line through the Roosters for 2014.
Marldon
Guest
I also think that Richards will be an absolute revelation.