Wests Tigers shall continue to rise in 2015

After a tumultuous year highlighted by the ‘is there or isn’t there’ feud between coach Mick Potter and hooker Robbie Farah, the Tigers have cleaned their house.

Mick Potter was unceremoniously dumped after taking a young team to within putting range of the top eight. I have no doubts that Potter is a good coach, but how effective can you be when your captain is running around telling people you haven’t a clue?

Enter Jason Taylor, who is back in the big boy chair for the first time since being cold cocked by Souths enforcer David Fa’alogo. He may be the JT they deserve, but can he be the JT they need? I think so.

The way Taylor’s rein ended at Souths was tragic, so it’s great to see him with another opportunity here. Let’s just hope he leaves the Kung Fu behind. Anyway, martial arts are out, it’s all about wrestling now.

The signings list is a little light on, I expect largely due to the last minute backflip by James Tedesco. Whatever the plan is, it will have to be carried out by the troops already on the ground. Although it should be said the Tigers have an exciting young roster who should be the focus of current contract talks.

Kevin Naiqama (of NSW Cup fame – also if you enjoy a good haircut, swing by the Tigers player profile page and check out the do on Kevin, outstanding), Josh Drinkwater and Chance Peni are the only new arrivals this season, while Braith Anasta, Adam Blair, Fulton Paterson, James Gavet and Bodene Thompson have all either retired or moved on.

Luke Brooks will be hoping he can add a little bit of consistency to his play after an up and down 2014 and if you are a fantasy fan I would recommend checking out Mitch Moses, who is expected to play a major role at five-eighth this year.

These two young men have grown up playing together and could go on to form one of the great playmaking combinations of generation next. They will be backed up by promising young halfback Drinkwater, utility back Tim Moltzen or even Curtis Sironen, who grew up playing in the halves.

Fullback Tedesco has been working overtime trying to adapt his running style to one more suited to the week to week grind of the NRL. We can only hope it won’t blunt his impressive attacking ability.

Evergreen Pat Richards and David Nofoaluma will be chasing down the two wing spots. David is a noted try scorer whose 2014 campaign was soured by a knee injury. Prior to surgery Nofoaluma registered an incredible 72 tackle-breaks in just games in 2014.

Keeping these three on their toes will be exciting young prospects like Kurtis Rowe, Delouise Hoeter and Sitaleki Akauola, who finished 2014 on the wing after Nofoaluma was forced to have surgery in Round 19.

Samoa international Tim Simona and hardworking everyman Chris Lawrence should nail down the centre spots although will be held to account by a number of youngsters bustling for some first grade experience. Headlined by Chance Peni, Nathan Milone and Asipeli Fine, who was named in the 2014 NSW Cup Team of The Year.

In the forwards the retirement of Anasta and departure of Blair means a wealth of experience has left the club, however the forwards will be led around by one of the most creative hookers in the business, Robbie Farah. He will need to be at the top of his game if the Tigers are a chance this year.

In the back row Curtis Sironen will be looking to build on his late season form. His combination with Brooks down the left side will be pivotal for the Tigers, particularly defensively where the young half back is most exposed.

Sauaso Sue has shown he can mix it up and play any position in the forwards although I expect he will be used primarily at lock with Dene Halatau to fill the second back rowers role.

Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway will fill the front row with Martin Taupau, Matt Lodge and Ava Seumanufagai completing the rotation. Taylor has laid responsibility firmly on his forwards for their performances in 2015 so Keith Galloway will need to continue developing his leadership credentials.

Dallas Graham may be a forward to watch, after co-captaining the NYC team last year this is his first year training with the senior team. He is a quality young forward who will likely be eased into the rigours of senior football.

Jason Taylor has told fans to get excited about 2015, with the small, young team likely to play some expansive exciting football in the team ahead. I am predicting an improvement in the Tigers this year moving into 12th. This could, however, be improved significantly if they are able to keep a first choice team on the field for the bulk of the year.

2014 Finish: 13th
2015 Prediction: 12th

Additions
Chance Peni (Knights), Josh Drinkwater (London Broncos), Kevin Naiqama (Panthers)

Losses
Braith Anasta, Liam Fulton (both retired), Cory Paterson (Salford), James Gavet, Adam Blair (both Broncos), Jarred Farlow (French rugby), Blake Austin (Raiders), Jy Hitchcox (Featherstone Rovers), Bodene Thompson (Warriors).