The beautiful thing about the NRL’s salary cap is that it means if you’re down in the dumps, you can start again, and it’s time the Tigers had a cleanout.
1. Ivan Cleary (coach)
Now that coach Jason Taylor has been unceremoniously sacked, the Tigers have left the job to assistant Andrew Webster, which is a sensible decision, albeit their only one.
Plenty of fans are hoping NYC coach and former player Todd Payten will take the reins in 2018, however having a coach who had previously worn the jersey only a handful of years ago would be going backwards. You can’t do well with having a ‘boys club’. Just because he’s an old mate of yours, doesn’t mean he’s the best for the job.
Former Warriors and Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is a name that comes to mind when thinking of a coach with plenty of potential. He’s lead teams to preliminary finals and grand finals in his time and has a great tactical mindset, and no doubt he’d be able to unleash the attacking juggernaut the Tigers are capable of being.
I also must mention that he’ll be coaching Lebanon in this year’s Rugby League World Cup, with Tigers half Mitch Moses claiming his allegiance, and no doubt he’d be looking to get into his ear about getting a coaching gig at the club.
2. Tyrone Roberts (Gold Coast Titans, halfback/five-eighth)
Speaking of halves, it’s time the Tigers parted ways with either Luke Brooks or Mitch Moses, especially considering what they’re reportedly demanding.
Based on form and potential I’d be waving bye bye to Brooks, who has been a bit of a let down so far in his career.
Gold Coast utility Tyrone Roberts has been given the cold shoulder by the club, who have instilled the evergreen Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey into the 6 and 7 jersey, leaving Roberts on the bench.
At 25 years old Roberts is nearing his peak as a player and would thrive as a starting half, just like he did last year when he helped lead the Titans into the finals for the first time in half a decade.
It’s something I’ve been complaining about for a while, and the Tigers need an experienced half to steer the ship and put in the clutch plays when needed.
Roberts is also capable of playing anywhere in the spine and has a knack for kicking goals.
3. Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm, centre)
A big weakness the Tigers have is their defence on the edges, which is prone to leak points. Enter Storm centre Will Chambers.
Chambers is a representative centre that is great at plugging up defensive lapses in the line, and also has a habit of scoring tries.
His experience would also rub off on the less experienced outside backs like David Nofoaluma, Moses Suli and Kevin Naiqama, and at 28 years of age he would be the perfect mentor for the up and comers.
There is doubt that he’d move from Melbourne however he has done before in the past with a stint in rugby union, so you can never say never.
4. Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos, backrow)
Going back and forth between starting and reverting to the bench is something that Alex Glenn has dealt with most of his career, and while some players aren’t too fussed, there’s a great opportunity for him at the Tigers.
Balmain legend and former engine room extraordinaire Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach claimed that the Tigers’ forwards haven’t been the same since the departure of English backrower Gareth Ellis, and I agree wholeheartedly with him.
The current backrow lacks aggression and purpose, which is what Glenn specialises in.
With Jai Arrow and Tevita Pangai hot on his trail, the New Zealand international would easily slide into the Tigers backrow with fellow Kiwis Elijah Taylor and Josh Aloiai to make a mean back row only missing Jake The Muss to round it off, bro.
5. Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys, prop)
After succumbing to an unfortunate ACL injury, it was rumoured that the Newcastle Knights had gone cold on their offer for Matt Scott.
I can understand why the would, at 31 Scott isn’t getting any younger, and injuries have been affecting his form over the last few seasons.
But the situation could be a blessing in disguise and he would make a great pickup for the Tigers.
You can never knock a champion, and that’s exactly what Matt Scott is.
Having played over 200 games for the Cowboys, 22 for Queensland and 22 for Australia, and captaining North Queensland to their maiden premiership in 2015, why wouldn’t you want him in your side?
A two-year deal would be vindictive for not only the Tigers go forward but also for their skipper Aaron Woods, who is walking a path similar of that to his Kangaroos teammate. His experience would be invaluable to a team struggling to get on the front foot and stay in games.
So I ask you this, would this team make the Top 8 in 2018? Let me know in the comments, because I very well think it could.
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Will Chambers
4. Moses Suli
5. Kevin Naiqama
6. Mitch Moses
7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Matt Scott
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Aaron Woods (c)
11. Alex Glenn
12. Josh Aloiai
13. Elijah Taylor
14. Tim Grant
15. Suaso Sue
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Chris Lawrence
kk
Roar Pro
Birdy, I would find it difficult to buy anything Mr Elias was selling.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's still a pretty poor lineup even with all those blokes...
Beastie
Roar Rookie
Agree. They need to do what the Knights have done and let go of any players that can't buy into the culture they are trying to re-build. Sure it will cost them a few poor years, but the benefits will outweigh the pitfalls in the long run.
Craig
Guest
Roberts is awful and Scott is too big a risk for the $s they'd need to pay him. Although Petro at the panthers was a worthy investment and I''d see the Scott play as similar. I really just dont understand how they are so terrible. Their whole pack aside from Woods is rubbish as are all of their outside backs. I think they are in for several tough years tbh.
BigJ
Roar Guru
chambers and scott to the Tigers???????????? Tell him he's dreaming
Skye day
Guest
Ben Teo
Kevin Malone
Guest
wake up and stop dreaming
Sean
Guest
I totally agree with trone roberts. Him or Peter walkace at halfback. Players who can defend kick to corners and control things without beimg flashy. Id go for gerard beale for a cheaper option. Matt prior and sam tagatese comesoff contraxt at cronulla. Try and sign them. My team. tedesco nofo beale cheecam/suli naiqama moses tyrone roberts/peter wallace woods liddle prior glenn ryan hoffman Elijah t seumanafai grant sam tagatese chris lawrence/jack littlejohn
PatchMan
Guest
I actually have to agree with you here!..But with Scott' i would put a Claus in his contract' just in case he gets injured' that they won't have to pay him out in full'.. Just to be safe'..But very good potential side! I'd even look at buying a couple of Forwards from Canberra'..They've got plenty coming out of their Backside' it's not Funny!
bearfax
Guest
Wests are going to have to pay out a fortune to hold onto their top four young players coming up for new contracts. They arent going to have a truck load of money left over. So maybe one or two of the players mentioned to bring into the club, but that's about it.
Casper
Guest
AM, you've blown the salary cap with that list, given the Tigers have to retain some semblance of talent to attract any of the guys you named. Can't see Scott having bar of the Tigers, he'd take less to stay at the Cowboys if they were the only alternative. Might be a case for Alex Glenn going to the Tigers because he's forced out at the Broncos to make way for younger guys at the Broncs, but hope not given his sterling service over the years. Tigers seem to have 2 halfbacks and no 5/8, resulting in confusion about who calls the shots. Brooks is your classical running half, can't shine behind a soft pack & struggles to handle big forwards running his way (doesn't every small halfback) whilst Moses looks like a halfback playing out of position. Bennett might think he'd be a good fit to replace $M man Ben Hunt. About the right age to fit into the Broncos backline, although Roberts credited Bennett with improving his game early on so he's in the picture to replace Hunt next year, especially with his desire to play in the halves. NOIP, reckon you're harsh on Roberts, he's laboured behind poor forwards for most of his career.
Birdy
Guest
Yes Max, 3 hats predicted this preseason. Watched Benny Elias last night. I think they frisked him before he entered the studio. Boy was he filthy. I think he wants the whole board replaced. I'd go a step further, Have to go with an experienced coach then i'd sack every player involved in the clubs vile culture. I dont care if all the players have all been right since the Sheens' sacking, the point is the players have too much control. Buying Cameron Smith would do no good in that culture.
andrew
Guest
The much vaunted Tigers attack has come up with 1 try in two matches - and it was an intercept. And it isn't limited to first grade... They have nothing in NSW Cup either. They have laid two duck eggs already this year (12 points total offence) and their for and against is already 196 points worse than the league leading Warriors... While in Holden Cup they have one win and are tied for the worst attack and have the worst aggregate for and against in the league....
GD66
Guest
Ding !
ask
Guest
Tyrone Roberts had a good year last year, but he is a 5/8 not a half back and so is Moses from what I can see. Neither is much of an organiser, so destined to fail as Roberts did at Newy when paired with Mullen (another 5/8 not an organiser). These players get maligned as being poor or lazy or not playing to their potential but as much as you try you can't be something you're not. I still agree Brooks is the one with the least ability and potential so give him the boot. The addition of a more punchy back rower ( I like the suggestion of Glenn but figure you would have to pay overs to get him from the Broncs) and the rest of the pack performing consistently an you have a very well balanced pack. Not the best pack but given consistent performance woudl lay a good platform
Adomental
Guest
They need a good hooker more than any of the positions you named.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Also the week before they faced a Panthers team coming off a first round hiding to the Dragons and a media pack calling them overrated.
Sam Knox
Roar Rookie
Warriors made the GF in 2002 and 2011
Zedman
Roar Rookie
On the money Rene, Brooks would be embarassed watching a replay of his efforts recently. On 360 Woods basically said he's not signing until the coach is decided. No endorsement for Taylor was forthcoming.
Renegade
Roar Guru
forwards signed up on big coin living up to it? Taumalolo, Gallen, Lewis, Fifita, Bromwich, J Graham, S Burgess, Teo, Tamou, Hoffman, Papalii..... The Tigers pack is rubbish, they need someone even if its a middle tier forward.