Wests Tigers fans are smiling like the Cheshire Cat. They are sitting equal fourth on the ladder after a gutsy win at hostile Hunter Stadium on Sunday, a win coach Mick Potter described as “an achievement” in his typically understated manner.
And they are seeing the fruits of a well-executed youth policy, with several youngsters hitting fifth gear at the same time. Fans of the black and golds are just warming the vocal chords for a lengthy period of shouting the names of Luke Brooks, James Tedesco and Curtis Sironen.
With coach Potter at the helm this Tigers team isn’t going to be a carbon copy of the successful teams of seasons past, but the 2014 Wests has the grunt and the swagger to live up to the hype it is starting to generate.
The Tigers led the offloads 10-0 early in Sunday’s game. They drew level when young half Brooks sensed his team desperately needed something and he conjured a near-perfect 40/20.
They took the lead when Pat Richards went into his big bag of tricks and nailed a field goal while his side lost ground. To top it all off, they then made convention look pretty as centre Chris Lawrence crashed onto a Brooks and Tedesco marvel to seal it.
Tedesco regathered the opening kick off too – a Richards mid-field bomb into the wind that no other NRL side has in the kit.
That’s why Wests Tigers fans are smiling. In the era of complete, copy-cat and kick, Wests Tigers are the games’ innovators and they are only just getting started.
john badseed
Guest
How come he hasn't been playing lately?
Bailey Madgwick
Roar Rookie
he's on 500k... plus tigers second row was our best position with Gareth Ellis and Liam Fulton.
Tim Barnett
Roar Rookie
Must admit..I was denouncing Mick Potter midway through that Round 1 second-half against the Dragons. We looked legless. But I'm pleased to reiterate my absolute confidence in him now; about which he should be relieved.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Someone the Bulldogs should sign? I'm onto Cleal now to head down to watch him run around and wave some cash at him.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Wait until Mitchell Moses gets a run. Of all the kids - Brooks, Tedesco, Sironen, Nofoaluma etc - he is the real star. Just wait until he gets a run.
tigerdave
Guest
Blair is giving better value this year but at $600k he is not value. He makes too many stupid mistakes. Look at the late try he was responsible for in the Newcastle game. A $600k forward would know that with 3 minutes to go and in front by 7 points, get to the end of the set and put the ball out, chew up the clock. He works hard now though.
tigerdave
Guest
The Tiegrs surely will trouble a lot of teams this year, but I'm excite about 2015, when the kids are seasoned footballers. Brooks, tedesco, Nufaloma and Simona are excellent now, but sometimes drop off in their game. With Sironen yet to actually play a full game, there is a loot to be excited about at the Tiiger den. I thoought their forwards have been excellennt all year when they have had a full team. Robbie Farrah is crucial leading them around the paddock and giving them direction though. Newcaslte bullied our pigs on the weekend and the came up about even. We will need to life this weekend. Newcastle will worry a lot of teams from here in.
Bri Olewale
Guest
Have been a tigers fan for years, as a kid shed tears when we lost in both 88 and 89.......2005 was simply amazing and am looking forward to the progress of the latest Tigers heroes......
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I am not a Tiger's fan,but the club holds a soft spot for me.Partly because my old man hailed form the area,but mostly because I like the aura/style that club has had over the years. From the Sirro/Blocker/Junior/Jack days,to the Farah Benji,Junior Sirro,Brooks,Tedesco ones.The style of play has often been open,expansive and daring and the majority of the players come across as decent guys not clowns. Rugby league followers as a whole tend to have their favourite team,and the team they would like to be in the grand final,if theirs did not make it. Many years ago North Sydney was everyone's second favourite,now it appears to be the Tigers. They(Tigers) have a sold hard working and at times creative forward pack,blending in with creative fast exciting backs.As the saying goes it's looking good.
Western fuglie
Guest
Totally agree with the eye, Blair n Tompson have knocked the be-Jesus out of every kicker as well it's great pressure all round I'm loving it
Blaze
Guest
Agree re anasta.... But I think Moses needs to come up to first grade early.... He was in a different league in under 20's and is killing it in the nsw cup, unfortunately Austin is always going to be a utility and he deserves to stay in the team as just that, I really don't think brooks'a missed tackles are as bad as the stats tell.. Many of those are him rushing up to put a hit on much bigger blokes and bouncing off, which in reality is enough to stop a play or give time for other player to get into the tackle... There have been none if any that have directly lead to tries. With brooks, Moses, sirro farah and teddy... This team will be towards the pointy end for a few years, especially when the go forward has woods, gavet and the big kapow!
The eye
Guest
The real heroes of this Tiger team are not the Tedescoes,the Brookses or the Richardses but the backrow.Bodene Thompson,Adam Blair,Ava and Sue..the no names and the once heckled are holding the centre of the ruck where for so long it was paper thin..doing a great job.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Tigers are a fun team to watch always have they will make the 8 but won't go too far this year. Next year they will be better and need to sack anasta and give Austin the reins. Luke brooks is not up to scratch in defense he's missed a truck load of tackles and come finals will be targeted and targeted successfully. This is manlys year if we are allowed.