It’s been nine long years since the Wests Tigers last appeared in the most exciting part of the season, the NRL finals series.
In that time the club has tried to take steps forward but in almost every instance has ended up moving backwards. That is until now.
With former premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire now in his second season at the Tigers, there is finally something to look forward to for the club’s fans as they continue to improve under Madge’s watch.
The Tigers have arguably seen their greatest improvement as a team over the past four weeks, beginning with the dropping of club legend Benji Marshall after their disappointing five-point loss to the Gold Coast Titans in Round 4.
Prior to the dropping of Marshall, the Tigers had the third-worst defence in the competition, having conceded 100 points in their opening four matches, behind only Gold Coast (129) and the Brisbane Broncos (132)
Benji Marshall (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)
The Tigers have since improved to the seventh-worst defence in the competition and have conceded the fourth-fewest points (59) over the course of the past four weeks. Only Penrith (54), South Sydney (54) and the Sydney Roosters (55) have conceded fewer points than the joint venture since the beginning of Round 5.
Conceding 59 points in four weeks is a strange thought for most Tigers fans out there as the team has generally been one of the worst defending teams in the league over the past ten years. In fact the Tigers have conceded the third-most points (4714) since the start of the 2012 season, ahead of only the Gold Coast (4770) and the Newcastle Knights (4802).
This comes after a seven-point loss to the Penrith Panthers on Saturday night in a game in the Tigers uncharacteristically fought for the whole 80 minutes. This historically would’ve been a match in which the Tigers would’ve rolled over after conceding a try in the opening minute of the match.
The Tigers have shown their defensive improvements over the past four weeks, which have enabled them to stay competitive for the full 80 minutes against both Penrith and Canberra. The right edge of the Tigers, which has conceded 15 of 28 tries this season – per Stats Insider – faced a tough challenge on Saturday night against the ever so damaging Viliame Kikau.
In spite of conceding a try down the right edge in the opening minute, the Tigers defence was able to bounce back and prevent the Panthers from exposing their weakness on that right edge, just as they have done ever since the dropping of Marshall.
Despite their improvements in defence, the Tigers have struggled to come up with points recently when they’ve come up against sides in the top eight, scoring just six points against Canberra and just 12 against the Panthers. That said, they’ve had no trouble pilling on points against teams below them on the ladder, scoring 36 and 34 points respectively against the Cowboys and the Bulldogs.
Whether that’s down to the relatively fresh combination of Luke Brooks and Josh Reynolds or just their inability to break down good defensive structures, I’m not sure, but if they can figure out a way to enable a more free-flowing attack, they could well and truly make their first finals appearance since 2011.
In the meantime they’ve got an important match against the Rabbitohs on Friday night as the Tigers occupy the middle of the table on eight points with the Sharks, the Sea Eagles and their opponents this week. I guess we’ll see whether the Tigers can continue to improve over the coming weeks.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Tigers are the perinatal mid table team, 10th or 9th or 8th or 7th. Tigers need a few more generational players before you can make a run. Shame Brooks is being wasted. Quality halfbacks are hard to find. Put Moses, Teddy & Woods back in the team & you are top 4. Tigers can’t keep losing generational players or nothing will change.
Lachlan MacCorquodale
Roar Rookie
This is a valid point, sorry just used to the Tigers falling short against these teams. But yes, I agree and think they've got a very good chance of beating Manly, Souths and going off the weekend's footy they have a decent chance at beating Penrith next time around
Paul
Roar Guru
Sorry Lachlan, I don't agree it's a tough run home. In previous years, the really good sides have thrived on playing top opposition, so when it came to play finals footy, they were both mentally and physically ready. If these guys are genuine finalists rather than just making up the 8, they need to win at least half these games. Manly & Souths look good bets and perhaps Penrith?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yeah ! I couldn't see the Storm leaving Harry with another team. The Storm future location will probably come down to where Cameron wants to coach when he takes over the reins ! :laughing:
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Albo, Harry still carries the Storm brand and will don those colours in 2021. Despite all the wishful thinking and Cam Smith's current form the camera more often catches those creases of doubt across his brow. The end is nigh. There will be no Harry at Concord after this season. Perhaps Wests Tigers should merge with Canterbury. The Canterbury Tigers...sounds good. Victoria is in trouble. Even the AFL have fled north. The Storm have moved to base on the Sunshine Coast. It may be opportune for them to become the second Brisbane club and set Victoria adrift.
Lachlan MacCorquodale
Roar Rookie
Yea agreed, probably need an x-factor forward that can really break games open. Something which the club has lacked for a while now
Lachlan MacCorquodale
Roar Rookie
Madge has done a very good job with the roster that he has as you said. I can't imagine how hard it would be having that much amount of money essentially on the sidelines. Yet they were still able to finish better than seven other clubs last year.
Lachlan MacCorquodale
Roar Rookie
Yep 100% agree. If they can't get a four point lead over eighth place heading into round 15, they may struggle to make the eight.
Lachlan MacCorquodale
Roar Rookie
This is true. They've definitely struggled to score points against the better sides in the competition which is a bit worrying and is something they can't continue to do if they want to want to make the eight. We'll get a real indicator of where their attack is at in the last six rounds, when they come up against the Roosters, Penrith, Manly, Souths, Melbourne and Parra. Very very tough run home.
Albo
Roar Rookie
In my opinion, the improved form of the Tigers this season can almost exclusively be attributed to the talents of their young Harry Grant taking control of the rucks with & without the ball. He has given them cohesion and direction from dummy half, and an extra attacking dimension and he plugs the centre in defence. Unfortunately for the Tigers , he will likely be gone next year. Perhaps they can learn from him this year and hope they find another similar game “manager” for next year, but I fear they won’t , and I can see them falling back to “also rans” again.
Paul
Roar Guru
"The Tigers have since improved to the seventh-worst defence in the competition and have conceded the fourth-fewest points (59) over the course of the past four weeks." That's fair enough, but scoring a total of 18 points against 2 top 8 sides has to put serious question marks over their ability to not only remain in the 8, but be competitive assuming they make the finals.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Are the Tigers on the way up? Wouldn't be a bad thing if they went up soon and a couple of heavyweights went down. At the moment I'd say the Broncos are more likely to challenge for a title in the next couple of years because their best cattle to me are much better than the Tigers best cattle. The Broncos are only two are three players from being a real threat IMO. Boyd is gone soon and no doubt a couple of others.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I think the Tigers need an X factor player to be a genuine top team. I agree their defence has improved but I don't think they were that far away before just struggling to finish games. It's unlikely they keep Grant next year but Liddle is quality as well for the future. I hope they make a good showing this year.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Wests, Cronulla, Manly, Cowboys and Soufths will battle it out for seventh and eight spots. Wests are well over due for a finals appearance. Perhaps 2020 is the year. I reckon Parra, Penrith, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Newcastle are certainties for the finals.
max power
Guest
the tigers effort to finish 9th last year was outstanding. Madge came in and had no use of terrible signings Russell Packer (700) Ben Matulino (800) Josh Reynolds (850) and Chris Mcqueen (500) . he also has to deal with the massively over paid Moses Mbye who doesnt have a position and deadwood such as Elijah Taylor.
max power
Guest
he is a passenger in defence
Crow
Roar Pro
Wow, my first question was ‘What’s the plan with Marshall’. Champion player but maybe he needs a freshen up. I’d like to see Benji come back when needed and blow us away with his flair. I’ll keep an eye on this one. More to follow I’m sure.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Benji needs to get more emotional to get back in Madge's good book.Like start throwing his arms around in tackles, arguing with the Refs -no more Mr Nice guy .Just don't get sent off - then MM will throw him under the bus.
Shane
Roar Pro
Benji would later admit he was out of nick and stale when coach Potter dropped him.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
The real question being asked, by Jason Taylor is..... How does Michael Maguire get away with sidelining Benji with minimal blow-back?