Continuing our look at the contenders for the 2015 NRL season, today we assess the Wests Tigers’ chances.
The Wests Tigers had a real shocker of a season in 2014, finishing 12th. With rumours of the captain and coach falling out, things seemed to go from bad to worse for the Tigers during the 2014 season.
However during the back end of the year they unearthed some talented youngsters with the best of their new breed being back Mitchell Moses, with Luke Brooks having a decent season.
2015 brings the Wests Tigers a new coach in Jason Taylor, and the fans of the Tigers will be hoping a fresh start for the embattled club.
On their day, the Tigers can be one of the most exciting and aggressive teams to watch in the NRL as they have absolutely no fear in throwing the ball around and seeing what happens. This has been a trademark of the Tigers game for the last decade.
Now with youngsters like Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses leading them around the paddock, along with the experience of hooker and captain Robbie Farah, can the Tigers improve their defence and remain consistent throughout 2015?
New coach Jason Taylor undoubtedly has his work cut out for him during the 2015 season to turn this team around from the depths of 2014, but there could be the talent in the roster to do it.
In saying that, the Tigers have had one of the worst recruitment periods out of all the NRL clubs for the 2015 season and I can’t see them improving all that much.
Pre Season Fixtures
Jan 31 – Feb 1: Auckland Nines versus New Zealand Warriors, Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans
Feb 13: versus Parramatta Eels @ Alice Springs
Feb 21: versus Cronulla Sharks @ Campbelltown
The Tigers are a team that could really excel at the Nines, and I see this as what should be a major focus for the club.
If they can go to the Nines, win it and work on new combinations at the same time, it could set a major groundwork for the season.
After the Nines, they travel to the heat of Alice Springs to face off against the Parramatta Eels, followed by a game against the Cronulla Sharks in Campbelltown.
Both of these games are against clubs, that like the Tigers, didn’t have the greatest of seasons last year. Both missed the top 8.
All of these clubs will be looking to work on new combinations in these trial games and therefore the games become quite important.
Ins and outs
2015 Gains: Josh Drinkwater (London Broncos, 2016), Matthew Lodge (Mid Season: Melbourne Storm, 2017), Kevin Naiqama (Penrith Panthers, 2015), Chance Peni (Newcastle Knights, 2016), Brenden Santi (Mid Season: Parramatta Eels, 2015), John Sila (Mid Season: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2015)
2015 Losses: Braith Anasta (retired), Blake Austin (Canberra Raiders), Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos), Jarred Farlow (French rugby), Liam Fulton (retired), James Gavet (Brisbane Broncos), Jy Hitchcox (Featherstone Rovers), Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Storm), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Penrith Panthers), Cory Paterson (Salford Red Devils), Bodene Thompson (New Zealand Warriors), Andrew Vela (QueenslandCup)
Looking at the Tigers’ list for the 2015 NRL season does not exactly fill a fan with any great hope about the prospects of the 2015 season.
Josh Drinkwater, was being talked about as the next big thing in some circles during his time at the St George Illawarra Dragons, but never kicked on before he went to the Super League with the London Broncos.
While Matthew Lodge and Kevin Naiqama could bring the Tigers something, they are not players that you can say that are going to be in the running for buy of the year.
When you compare the Tigers 2015 recruitment against their losses, it sends them down yet another peg.
They have lost plenty of players who spent a lot of time in the Tigers top 17 during the 2014 season, and while yes the Tigers undoubtedly needed a clean out, it seems as though they haven’t signed all the new pieces to fix the puzzle.
Among the players they have lost are Braith Anasta and Liam Fulton who have both retired, Blake Austin, Bodene Thompson, James Gavet and the underperforming Adam Blair. While none of these players are stars either, the Tigers needed to do more in the recruitment field to be able to let all of these players go.
Draw analysis
The Tigers draw for 2015 looks very average. They start the season with two must-win games against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1 and then against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 2.
They then will be challenged by both of last year’s grand finalists playing the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 3 and then the Canterbury Bulldogs in Round 4.
If they don’t win the first two games and then get to Round 3 and 4, it could mean they start the season 0-4. That is the last thing the Tigers need in 2015 after a poor showing in 2014.
The Tigers run home however, is at this point in time what would seem one of the easiest going around.
In the last five weeks they play the Canberra Raiders, the Newcastle Knights, the Cronulla Sharks, the New Zealand Warriors at home and the St George Illawarra Dragons. These are all clubs that struggled last year, apart from the Warriors who they are playing at home.
Their home games also have a very even spread through their season, however their season could be shaped by the end of Round 10.
After the challenge of the first four rounds, they then have three games away from home in a row against the Canterbury Bulldogs for the second time during 2015, the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights.
If they don’t perform during the first four rounds or this road trip, the Tigers will be in real trouble. The teams the Wests Tigers play twice during the season are the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Gold Coast Titans, the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Canberra Raiders, the Newcastle Knights, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Parramatta Eels, the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors.
That list of teams to play twice is certainly more challenging than some other clubs, but still not the toughest in the draw.
Predicted impact of State of Origin
Robbie Farah. The Tigers will lose their captain and hooker for State of Origin and it will more than likely be a big blow for the side.
Can they overcome it? It will probably depend on how the Tigers have been travelling for the first half of the season.
Predicted finish and final word
The Tigers look to be a team that are going to struggle in 2015. They haven’t recruited well enough and don’t have the easiest draw either. I’m tipping them for a bottom four finish in 2015.
Tomorrow we move further up the ladder and have a look at the Newcastle Knights prospects for 2015.
Season fixtures
R1 Sat 07 Mar 2015, 8:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Wests Tigers
R2 Mon 16 Mar 2015, 7:00pm, Campbelltown Stadium Wests Tigers V Dragons
R3 Sun 22 Mar 2015, 4:00pm, ANZ Stadium Rabbitohs V Wests Tigers
R4 Fri 27 Mar 2015, 7:35pm, ANZ Stadium Wests Tigers V Bulldogs
R5 Mon 06 Apr 2015, 2:00pm, ANZ Stadium Eels V Wests Tigers
R6 Sat 11 Apr 2015, 2:30pm, Mt Smart Stadium Warriors V Wests Tigers
R7 Sun 19 Apr 2015, 2:00pm, Leichhardt Oval Wests Tigers V Raiders
R8 Fri 24 Apr 2015, 6:45pm, ANZ Stadium Bulldogs V Wests Tigers
R9 Fri 08 May 2015, 6:35pm, Allianz Stadium Roosters V Wests Tigers
R10 Sun 17 May 2015, 3:00pm, Hunter Stadium Knights V Wests Tigers
R11 Sat 23 May 2015, 6:30pm, Campbelltown Stadium Wests Tigers V Cowboys
R13 Fri 05 Jun 2015, 7:35pm, Leichhardt Oval Wests Tigers V Titans
R14 Fri 12 Jun 2015, 6:45pm, ANZ Stadium Wests Tigers V Rabbitohs
R15 Fri 19 Jun 2015, 6:45pm, Brookvale Oval Sea Eagles V Wests Tigers
R16 Sun 28 Jun 2015, 4:00pm, Leichhardt Oval Wests Tigers V Panthers
R17 Mon 06 Jul 2015, 6:00pm, ANZ Stadium Wests Tigers V Eels
R19 Sun 19 Jul 2015, 4:00pm, Suncorp Stadium Broncos V Wests Tigers
R20 Fri 24 Jul 2015, 6:35pm, ANZ Stadium Wests Tigers V Roosters
R21 TBC Leichardt Oval Wests Tigers V Storm
R22 TBC, GIO Stadium Raiders V Wests Tigers
R23 TBC, Campbelltown Stadium Wests Tigers V Knights
R24 TBC, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Wests Tigers
R25 TBC, Campbelltown Stadium Wests Tigers V Warriors
R26 TBC, ANZ Stadium Dragons V Wests Tigers
Doug Graves
Guest
2015 Dark Horses for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if a repeat of 2005 is on the cards.
Renegade
Guest
Yeah you could be right there EJ. I think its the first season in a long time where there are actually some clubs that look to have gone backwards..... generally going into a new season every club appears to have improved but there are definitely teams that haven't going into 2015. That said, the game isn't played on paper so only time will tell.
Renegade
Guest
Happy to have a wager against that.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Cowboys have a hex against every team when playing south of the Sunshine Coast.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure if you're whole post in done in humour though you'll probably claim that it was. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." is a quote misappropriated to Einstein with no proof of him ever saying it. Either way whoever came up with it was giving their own personal view and that is not the definition in the dictionary.
Elma Dudd
Guest
It's actually the definition of madness . The definition of stupidity is claiming to know the definition of something when In fact you don't
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Surely the 4th team will be the Titans. They are my pick for the spoon. No halves, pretty average outside backs. A goodish forward pack can only take you so far. Oh and a coach that couldn't get a 50% win rate with one of the best rosters in the comp when at the Cowboys. 6 or 7 wins at most for them.
David
Guest
I reckon sharks you can book in for close to last place, they are old and full of other club rejects.
up in the north
Guest
I wasn't aware of a hex for the Cowbies v Tigers. If you're referring to '05 it's old news. As a former resident of the hills district all I can say is don't write off Brad Arthur, he will have plans in place post Hayne. Trust in Chrissy Sandow, I think he'll finally come good.
Rob
Guest
You forget that their reserves and u20s both had strong years last year - even accounting for the number of injuries in first grade. Depth is better than what people assume and some of these young players Will step up this year. Anasta is no loss and Austin would do no better than another year on the bench. As for the forwards - you said it - no great loss. Again the Tigers have some outstanding juniors coming through, in particular Lamar Liolavave. Others such as Jessie Sue are ready to step up. Top 8 this year for the Tigers. Due to the number of injuries in the last 2 years depth in the club is good.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Scott like your analysis yesterday of the Titans, again you are spot on. They have lost too many of their top 17 players and have recruited poorly, to say the least. In appointing Taylor they have a dud at the helm, obviously with budget cuts at head office affectig the recruitment of a real coach. In Gavet and Blair they have lost their 2 forwards with the most impact. And in keeping Robbie Farah well... How long into the season until he appoints himself captain coach??!! The Tigers are a disaster both on and off the field
Renegade
Guest
The Raiders, eels and dragons look set to occupy the bottom 4 spots.... Im not sure who the fourth team will be however I wouldn't be saying the Tigers... Their youngsters will all be better off with a season under their belt. They will be a competitive outfit.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Tigers will go alright. Not in my top 8 but could get close. Depends on how Farrah and Brooks go, and whether Tedesco can avoid injury. Hopefully the Cowboys can break their hex against them in Sydney this year.
up in the north
Guest
I don't really have anything to base this opinion on, other than a gut feeling, bit I reckon Luke Brooks is one of those guys that improve with more responsibility. Once Taylor gets Farrah put into his place they should go well. It'll be really tough without a few superstars though. In a way they're a bit fortunate that there are only low expectations of them so any positives that come out of this season will help their recruitment for 2016. I don't think it's all doom & gloom for Tigers fans.
Johnny1
Guest
Without another season of injuries they should perform well but would have been a better side had they kept James Gavet and Blake Austin who looked so promising. Gavet was such a influence off the bench especially in attack,he will prove himself at The Broncos where Adam Blair will still be Adam Blair.
Greg
Guest
Agreed. The Tigers didn't need to do any major recruitment, they have a young team and their priority should be locking these guys up in long term deals. The Tigers will get better as a team without recruitment as all these young guys improve and get more experience.
MAX
Guest
I agree with what you see.
The eye
Guest
Don't know why you blokes are so gloomy for,the only bloke they'll miss next year is Bodene who had his best year ever in the NRL..they had an 8 spot all parcelled up last year till Gordon T. rag dolled the entire club..Taylor's a smart coach with a smart team of Kidwell,Reddy and Kimmorely..this new anti wrestling rule favours the running dummy half,Tigers have the best..It's a good pack,Taupau plays 13,Lodge into the front row waiting is over for,Sironen ..just the depth a worry..but this side was just as troubled off the field last year as the Sharks and weren't that far away at the end..brighten up.
Western fuglie
Guest
I'm agreeing with you Blaze, the one thing I'm happy about is the sports science and rehab program has been bought out of the dark ages, I'm looking very forward to Matthew lodge this season as well last year he was 19 and looked big and aggressive could be a diamond of a signing
Blaze
Guest
Rebuilding season and I'm fine with this, after all the crap that went on last year, I'm just happy to see the rot stop. I have faith in Taylor to bring the attitude that has been lacking and am prepared to give the bloke a season to get his team sorted and see what to buy for next year after saving a bit by not being active in the market this year. Can't be any worse than last year...