Wests Tigers came within one competition point of making the 2016 NRL finals. The club will be lamenting losses to Melbourne and the Gold Coast by a combined total of two points, both at Leichardt Oval, as games which got away from them.
However, their defence was far too leaky far too often, as evidenced by conceding 60 points to Canberra in Round 8. The Tigers lost to that same Raiders outfit in Round 26 to end their hopes of a finals berth.
The off-season
Jason Taylor spent another season watching to finals, yet managed to convince the Tigers board that he deserved another year at the helm. His bold decision to relegate Robbie Farah to NSW Cup for the majority of 2016 was a risky proposition and I applaud him for sticking to his guns.
Accordingly, Farah left his beloved Tigers for a starting role at Redfern.
In the meantime, the Tigers’ recruitment has been minimal, although they have an important 2017 with regards to retention, with Aaron Woods, James Tedesco, Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses all off contract at season’s end. How all of these young players require contract renewals simultaneously is baffling and demonstrates poor management.
A betting scandal involving Tim Simona broke just last week and the young winger is suspended indefinitely pending investigation.
What to look for in 2017
The Tigers have an exciting crop of players who mean they will surely be knocking on the door of the final eight. My main concern is their lack of experienced, finals-hardened players. Their list profile is certainly skewed towards making a run at things in 2018.
Player retention will be the key in 2017, with the priority certainly to keep Tedesco, Woods and Moses – in that order. I’m still not entirely sold upon Brooks, so if one of this young quartet was to be shown the door, that is who I would pick.
The Tigers have a tough opening four games of the season, playing South Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Penrith. If the club can manage to escape that horror draw with one win, they’ll be content.
Their pursuit of the final eight may once again come down to the final rounds of the season.
2017 prediction
Matt Ballin coming off two knee reconstructions to play hooker concerns me to no end. The Tigers contingency plan if Ballin goes down is worrisome, considering Manaia Cherrington is now playing for Cronulla.
Players such as Elijah Taylor and Chris Lawrence will need to play better than ever before should the side wish to figure in the finals.
Until I see Wests Tigers defend with consistency and for an extended number of games, then I cannot trust their defence. All NRL teams can score, but only the best can consistently defend.
The contract talks with the big four will certainly be a distraction, and if losses accumulate, the coach’s future will be under the microscope.
In what promises to be a closely contested regular season, the Tigers fall just short.
2017 prediction: 10th
NRL 2016 record: 11-0-13 (26 points – ninth)
Ins: Jamal Idris (free agent), Matt McIlwrick (Cronulla)
Outs: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne), Jack Buchanan (Widnes), Asipeli Fine (canbterbury), Manaia Cherrington (Cronulla), Dene Halatau (retirement), Robbie Farah (South Sydney), Curtis Sironen (Manly), Tim Simona (suspended)
Leslie
Guest
I can confidently say that my beloved Tigers will be fighting for the top 4 come the business end of the season. I know most expert like Barry and the mobs wont agree but be prepared to retrieve your pre-season comments and swallow your critics when final footy comes around after round 26.
Trevor Takkos
Guest
Tigers will win the comp this year and Parra will win next year. What odds can I get for that because it is going to happen!!!!
Jacko
Guest
Agree Barry. If a coach was building a team from the two squads then there would be more Doggies than Tigers in it. The Tigers can score big points if they get on a roll but their defence is inconsistant as is their attack.Elijah Taylor will need a big year in defence if they are to do much above 12. I'd have Hasler over Jason Taylor any day
The Barry
Roar Guru
So the Tigers wouldn't want Graham, Tolman or Kasiano in their side? I'd have Hopoate in my team ahead of Naiqama or Rankin. Likewise I'd rate both Bulldogs halves ahead of Brooks. Maybe Brooks is a better fit because he's a natural 7 but the Dogs pair are definitely better players. Not sure that Lawrence is a better second rower than Eastwood or Faitala-Mariner. You're right though - a team list on paper doesn't translate to success but at this stage of the season the list and past performance is all we really have to go off and I'd respectfully suggest that the Dogs have the Tigers covered in both counts.
Albo
Guest
My take on the Tigers is that they have enough creativity out of Moses, Tedesco and perhaps Idris to score some points, but I can't see them regularly dominating teams. I think they have some potential in their pack but are not there yet, and their backs have some scoring ability , but are equally dodgy in defence. I don't see a lot of depth either should they run into some key injuries concerns . I see them scrambling again for the 8th position this year.
Alex
Guest
And of course no coach has ever been sacked with time still remaining on their contract...
Leslie
Guest
Barry You might be correct but team list on paper does not normally translate to actual performance or achievement on the field. Therefore, don't get too excited about how high up the ladder the Dogs will finish at the end of the regular rounds. Only Klemmer, Jackson and the Morris boys are the only dogs that will make the Tigers starting side.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
I'm aiming to provoke discussion and debate rather than be 100% correct. I mean, I already know that some of the predictions I've made won't come to fruition. I thoroughly enjoy the debate and justifications by pundits like yourself. It enriches all of our rugby league knowledge and perspective and is done in a respectful way!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nick...Tigers 10th, Bulldogs 13th in your season previews. This is what I mean when I say the hype around the Bulldogs supposed decline is getting out of hand. The Tigers will be entertaining to watch but there is no way on earth they have a better squad than the Dogs. Tedesco, Noafaluma, Moses and Woods are the only Tigers that would make the Dogs starting team.
andrew
Guest
Seems they have a lot to lament over...
MJ
Guest
I'd actually be lamenting the fact that they were the only side that lost to Newcastle......
andrew
Guest
To correct the start of the article, the 1 point loss to the Titans was at Campbelltown - on a day when their representative and clearly best hooker played NSW Cup - maybe lament that... Probably also lament getting beaten by 42 points at Leichhardt in a win and get in situation in the last round... again, with your best (only) hooker sitting in the stand.
curaeus
Guest
Taylor did not need to "convince" anyone to remain coach for 2017. He was in the 3rd year of a 3 year deal.