As he should, Michael Maguire believes where there’s life there’s hope for his Wests Tigers.
But only a miracle can save the Tigers from extending the NRL’s longest finals drought to a decade, even after they pulled off one of the Houdini acts of the season.
A late try to Joey Leilua, converted from near the sideline by skipper Moses Mbye, and a Luke Brooks field goal with two minutes left on the clock earned the Tigers a heart-stopping, season-saving 29-28 win over competition cellar dwellers Canterbury.
It was far from convincing but the victory kept the Tigers’ finals hopes flickering. Just.
Without a finals appearance since 2011, having finished ninth the past two years, the Tigers could scarcely have a tougher run home.
The joint venture outfit play six of the current top-eight teams in their last six games, starting with back-to-back premiers the Sydney Roosters on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
And given they still languish four points adrift of the top eight, the Tigers most likely must win all six to secure a finals berth.
“But the only thing that matters now for us is we know where we sit and every game now is an important game that we need to make sure that we get success, we’ve got to get the win,” Maguire said.
“We’ll focus on this week and make sure we get that right and we’ll go from there.
“It will be up to us.”
After the Roosters, the NRL’s perennial nearly men play Penrith, Manly, South Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta.
It’s hard to mount a case for wins against such formidable opponents when the Tigers barely beat the bottom-placed Bulldogs, even with a 16-point first-half start.
But Maguire still believes and all he cares about is how they found a way to overcome the dogged Dogs.
“I just feel that the group is better than where we are,” he said.
“Just little lapses in concentration put us under pressure. It’s happened in a number of games now.
“But if we fix those up in our game, the way we can play is a hell of a lot better than what we showed there.
“The boys definitely know how to compete.”
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I’d wager he’s carrying an injury -he seems yards slower than when at Souths.Or like a lot of teammates is demotivated by being offered the sack week, after week,after week.There’s only so many times you can use the Trump policy “your fired”
no one in particular
Roar Guru
You have to remember that Doeuihi wasn't a target, he just fell to them. They were part of the Mitchell saga (who would have improved their goal kicking). Souths released Doeuihi to make way for Mitchell. Is he the long term FB? I think he is more a stop gap, and they may look to upgrade that position and move him to the centres
no one in particular
Roar Guru
He has a lot of dead wood going at the end of the season - Reynolds, Packer, Laurence, Taylor, McQueen and maybe Mbye - and that is a combined lot of money. Using that money the right way will make that job a lot easier. If those players go, and Benji stays, then the average age is just 24. The improvement of those players will help also
no one in particular
Roar Guru
1-13
Nat
Roar Rookie
Fair points. It may just refocus their thinking re recruitment. As this season started, they were happy with Walters, Brookes, Benji and Doeuihi as the spine, let Thompson go and bought the Leilua's. He still hasn't settled on a spine and that souldn't be the place he is shuffling the deck chairs.
TJ
Guest
Last few weeks have been an insight into life without Harry Grant and it does not look good for Tigers fans. Grant has been fantastic for the Tigers but the loan deal might actually hurt them more than it has helped them. Despite how well he has played, it seems they will still finish around their usual 9th spot and they have become so dependent on him that when he's gone they go from a mid table side to a bottom four side. Wouldn't want to be in Madge's shoes as he has one hell of a job in front of him.
kk
Roar Pro
At his other job, PVL rewards 9th place. Watch this space.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Their wins this year have come against the Dragons, Sharks (way back in Rd 3), Bulldogs, Cowboys and Broncos. What evidence is there that with a simple fix of the little lapses in concentration, they can compete with the Top 6? If it were fixable you would have done it by now.
Tony
Roar Guru
What's the prize money for 9th this year?
Nat
Roar Rookie
Madge, you would want to hope so. A 1pt win over the 16th placed team and look at the run home. Does he have 4 Harry Grants coming back next week?
Tony
Roar Guru
What players/positions do you think they need?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Manly are a bit on the slow side in some areas but the Tigers have their share of two toed sloths as well. Some of their defenders have no hope of recovery if they aren't positioned well. I can see a few hidings on the way. The battle for the prized 9th spot is on in earnest.
Alexander
Guest
As A life long Tigers fan I am used to disappointment. I will settle for wins over the Roosters and Eels to finish the year and hopefully some fresh recruits to bolster the team for next year.