Here’s a hot tip: it isn’t the Warriors.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the newest contender for most frustrating NRL team – the Wests Tigers.
For a team fielding ‘young superstars’ and the ‘next big things’ in the NRL, they sure know how to disappoint.
One week they’re superstars, the next four they’re wooden spoon contenders, and it all starts with their younger players who aren’t pulling their weight.
The only one I can’t really fault is fullback James Tedesco, who always puts in 100 per cent every time he pulls on the jersey, and is in fact one of the best in the competition. It is imperative the club re-sign this future NSW and Australian fullback.
But it’s the likes of Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks who are frustrating to watch.
Now I can’t entirely blame the halves for the 40-point loss to the Raiders, the forwards have to take the brunt of criticism as well. They got dominated by Canberra’s monstrous pack and couldn’t recover.
For a while however, the mobile engine room the Tigers fielded was doing well at exposing the size of the Raiders’ forwards, getting quick play the balls and catching the opposition off guard and offside.
But some of the decision making and fifth tackle options of the Tigers is left to be desired. Brooks and Moses have not only played together throughout their entire footy careers, juniors included, but they’ve now been paired for the last two and a half years in the top grade.
It was evident in the last two weeks that the Tigers’ halves couldn’t organise a root in a brothel, with the team piling on just eight points in the last fortnight, a penalty goal and an intercept try.
It’s frustrating as a rugby league fan to see these highly touted youngsters not putting in.
They just don’t seem to care knowing that the club will shell out whatever money they have so they can ‘live up to their potential’.
The idea that these guys are commanding upwards of $800,000 is ludicrous.
I know he’s only a few games in and 18 years old but Moses Suli clearly showed why he isn’t ready for the NRL lining up against Jordan Rapana, where he made some costly errors.
The rookie looked like he wanted to be home during the pre-match warm up, and I don’t blame him. To shell out over $300,000 for a kid who had previously played only a total of one NYC game is ridiculous.
For those who’ve heard me rant about the Tigers already, I think they need two things; a hulking backrower and an experienced, steadying halfback. They need to be smarter with recruitment, but instead they throw their money around to whoever thinks they can do the job.
The likes of Dale Finucane, Luke Lewis, Ryan Hoffman, Alex Glenn and Jason Taumalolo are off contract and just the type of players they need in the backrow, which hasn’t been the same since English sensation Gareth Ellis left in 2013.
There aren’t many options in the halves but Josh Reynolds and Tyrone Roberts would be decent acquisitions and at least are capable of steering around a side. The only other option is Johnathan Thurston and I’d be willing to to bet my organs he won’t be wearing black white and orange next year.
The club needs to choose between Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses. They can’t afford to have both on board with the poor results and what could be.
These are the same guys who went missing in Round 26 last year when their team needed them the most.
I know it’s only Round 3 but It’s frustrating as a rugby league fan to see the Tigers play so poorly for so long, but they need to learn not to throw all their eggs into one basket and recruit accordingly.
I’d love to see the Tigers live up to the glory days of the mid 2000s and early 2010s again, because they were such great entertainers, but I can’t see it anytime soon with the way they’re going. I’ll be more than happy to see them prove me wrong, though.
Andréa Mandadakis
Roar Guru
As a Rabbitohs supporter I wouldn't be pleased at all MAX haha. Honestly the whole divide between Wests and Balmain is part of the reason why the club isn't going forward, they're too busy looking back into the past. The venture is now Wests Tigers and they need their own identity. Honestly I'd consider moving them to Perth just to start afresh and keep the name; I've written more about this on another one of my articles if you care to read. I think Roberts would be a great signing and is coming of age and ready to lead a team around. He's being pushed out of the Titans with Elgey and Taylor and he would be crazy not to sign with a side that will guarantee him a starting spot.
rod pombart
Guest
Hey everybody, thats the tiger fans and the media, sports journalists, time to take off the blinkers. The halves ARE NOT as good as you think they are
peeeko
Roar Guru
i wouldnt call them frustrating, i would just call them over rated. For some reason people think they are a great attacking team (they were 10 years ago)
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Picked a great day to write this article Andrea, not on the board at the Tiges mate?. I think the value of the so called big "four" has dropped a great deal. Moses and Brooks have no bargaining power after performing so miserably and if reports are correct knifed the bloke who got rid of a club legend to allow them free rein. Tedesco is more an individual and i have grandkids with more grunt in them than Woods.
zim
Guest
I'm assuming young guns are the halves? Hanging the loss on the halves when the forward pack is absolutely dominated is pretty rough. It was even when Aaron woods was on the park and the raiders were making mistakes. He goes off and the tigers bench had nothing. They're lacking a quality forward at least. ET being out didn't help either. One of the halves should go though. You need an experienced half to come into the side.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I turned the telly off at half time during the Panthers Tigers game, it was that bad. Even the score updates couldn't entice me back to it. Yesterday was only bearable because the Raiders were such a pleasure to watch, even though it was a rout, it was a display of talent. Thank god I'm not a Tigers fan.
Silvertail47
Guest
Teddy Moses are guns ,Brooks is in the way ,and to honest Woods is overrated,did you see him against Raiders ,what a cat ,I didn't see him hit the line face on or at pace ,he backs it in everytime , there are better forwards
Hoy
Roar Guru
Brooks is not the talent they thought he was... Moses is better. The only other thing I am going to say, is Tedesco is good, yes... but a complete individual... he has individual brilliance, but it doesn't work with the team that well. He doesn't link often.
Armchair expert
Guest
How good would he have been in a lime green jumper.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Tigers last two games have been pretty poor for sure. The halves need to learn how to tackle before anything else. How these guys could be dubbed the 'big 4' is ridiculous....I'd rate Teddy and maybe Woods to be a big two but the other two would be way behind a lot of other halves in the competition. Tigers should give them a basic offer and let them test themselves on the market. I agree Tyrone Roberts would be a great buy for next season and probably a lot cheaper. His value to the Titans on Saturday was amazing as he took different positions due to injuries and came up with the goods. The Tigers seem to have no discipline in both attack and defence. It's like they reach a point in the game where they just give up. They're very thin in the forwards and seem to struggle against a decent pack. If they do sack the coach I think they should give Cleary the job. At least get some discipline in the club.
kk
Roar Pro
Great work, TB. 'flogs' The most appropriate expression to date for describing Brooks and Moses. How could any self respecting recruiter pay $800K for the pair, let alone for each.
Silvertail47
Guest
Multiple accounts ? Mmmm befit of the doubt
The Barry
Roar Guru
The last two games have been pretty grim. Tigers have matched their opponents in the first 30 minutes but then fallen in a heap when the whips start cracking. Their forward pack is pretty soft compared to other teams and their bench offers little to nothing in terms of keeping the momentum going. Once Woods is off, all fight leaves them. Tedesco trying to play a lone hand. Moses and Brooks have the odd good touch but overall their deficiencies far outweigh any value they bring to a team. They were too feted too soon. Any club official would be well advised to play down the potential of their young stars instead of over inflating their tyres. Having said that it's hard for halves to shine behind a pack that's getting its backside handed to it. Surely the longer this goes the less likely they are to keep Woods and Tedesco. My biggest fear is how often I hear the Bulldogs linked to Brooks and Moses. If they get rid of Reynolds to sign one of those flogs I'll be filthy.
Silvertail47
Guest
Find a rock champ
Silvertail47
Guest
Check again
no one in particular
Roar Guru
"Woods ,Teddy refuse to extend contracts if Taylor remains" 100% FALSE
Kaks
Roar Guru
Definitely not. Robbie was trying too hard and nothing was working. Now the pressure is on the halves to excel, I wouldnt count them out after 3 rounds.
Silvertail47
Guest
Woods ,Teddy refuse to extend contracts if Taylor remains ,Cleary /Tooves in line to replace immediately
Silvertail47
Guest
JT HAS BEEN SACKED
andrew
Guest
So the problems are the same as last year, and it was Robbie Farah's fault last year, but this year he is not there and the problems remain..... hmm mis-diagnosis perhaps?