Wests Tigers are heading for yet another disappointing finish in 2020. They’re currently sitting in 11th place and, if they can’t beat an out-of-form Manly next weekend, face the real prospect of not winning another game this year and finishing as low as 13th.
Their problems stem from a poor team roster, much of it inherited from previous coach Ivan Cleary, who hurriedly exited at the end of the 2018 season. Poor recruitment both before and after Cleary sees the club with some significant deadwood and salary cap challenges.
One of the positions that continues to be problematic for the Tigers is the key spine role of fullback. The way the game is played these days, not having a quality fullback is a recipe for failure, and though Wests’ spine problems run deeper than just fullback, let’s deal with one position at a time.
There is a simple solution.
Since the departure of James Tedesco at the end of 2017 the Tigers have failed to find a suitable replacement. Initially Tuimoala Lolohea was to fill the role but was soon replaced by Corey Thompson following his return from the Super League. Thompson performed reasonably well at the back, but he clearly didn’t meet the approval of coach Michael Maguire and departed for the Titans earlier this season. Moses Mbye has also been tried there occasionally with mixed results.
During the last off-season, as part of the Latrell Mitchell circus and eventual move to South Sydney, Wests announced the signing of South Sydney custodian Adam Doueihi as their new fullback.
Doueihi is a good utility player, particularly closer to the ruck, but has vailed to impress at the back, and he had a particularly poor game on the weekend against the Panthers. I doubt Maguire sees Doueihi as a long-term fullback option.
It seems these days that everyone wants to play fullback. Mitchell has made the switch at Souths and Nick Cotric could play at the back next year at the Dogs.
Over the last few weeks there have been rumours that Josh Addo-Carr wants out of Melbourne and may be looking for a fullback role at the Tigers. This may work, as Addo-Carr is a rare talent. However, it would be a risk for the Tigers and would presumably be an expensive experiment, as Addo-Carr would no doubt be looking for top dollar. Fullback money.
However, the solution to the Tigers’ fullback problem has been there right under their noses all along, playing on the right wing.
David Nofoaluma, now in his prime at age 26, has played nearly 130 games for the Tigers and has easily been one of their best performers for the last couple of years. Nofoaluma has pace and dazzling footwork, can bust tackles and is a strong defender.
He has similar attributes to James Tedesco and would be a far more dangerous player given the extra room the fullback position would offer.
Wests season is effectively over. A number of players are past their best and are fortunately moving on, while a few more should be encouraged to leave. Now is the opportunity for Maguire to experiment with some younger players and some different combinations in preparation for a hopefully more successful season in 2021.
The first change I would make is to move David Nofoaluma to fullback and see what he can do.
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
Lets face it...the Tigers are simply making up the numbers Most of the players in the squad are not of NRL standard........ just like most of the players in the Brisbane Broncos(why is this team named after an American Horse?)
Nat
Roar Rookie
Really? I didn't know that. It might explain why he doesn't look completely comfortable on the wing. I just put it down being young in a struggling backline. He's a big body, if he's got the skills and now is the time to show it off.
Tony
Roar Guru
Wests have nothing to lose with this little experiment. The more times Nofoaluma handles the ball in attacking situations the better
Aiden
Guest
He reminds me a bit of Papynhouzen (have not bothered to check spelling). At first he looked like a little guy that was good for running madly at gaps and breaking tackles, but he’s developed well as a FB.
Aiden
Guest
We think alike. I’m not sure he’s the answer to be honest, but as I started reading I thought they could do worse that Nofoaluma. He’s one of the form backs in the competition, very safe hands, loves an offload and not a selfish player ... he seems to love putting other players into gaps rather than simply taking the tackle ..., but he also grinds out hit ups like a FRF when required. Speed, good defensively. He’s just so reliable. Ok ... I have a man crush on the guy. Sue me. Imagine a team with him and Kotoni Staggs playing alongside each other, busting tackles.
Tony
Roar Guru
There's not many players with the footwork and ability to bust tackles like Nofoaluma. Yes, hes may need some fitness work, experience catching high balls and defending at the back, but other players have managed it in the past.
Tony
Roar Guru
With four games to go, why not give him a run there. Now is the ideal time to try some players in different positions, particularly Nofoaluma, and see what they can bring. He certainly isn't the fastest young winger around, and doesn't defend well there.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I think for JAC you need to bite the bullet and pay overs, but as a winger as he is not a fullback. The club has struggled to attract stars for a long time so they aren't in a position to be stubborn here. As I've stated above, grab Sailor for cheap and you have a pretty decent back 3
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Nofaluma is one of the best wingers in the game. As the old saying goes, you don't strengthen one position by weakening another. He is also fairly short which isn't ideal for a fullback these days. Sailor would come cheap and has plenty of potential definitely worth a risk fro a side that hasn't played finals since 2011
Davico
Roar Pro
Talau played all his junior footy at 5/8 so I can't understand why they are playing him at centre and on the wing. Our halves have not been setting the comp alight, so why not see how he goes in his preferred position?
Davico
Roar Pro
I agree with most of what you have said here, but I don't want the club to pay overs for JAC. We need to find good youth not throw money at wingers who want Fullback money.
thomas c
Guest
Doueihi looked good at fullback when I saw him at Souths, but the other day he seemed to be slowing prior to being tackled and thus allowing himself to be dragged back. You move Nofoaluma and he might need to alter some of his fitness and maybe learn some positional stuff. But then you'd need someone with similar attributes on the wing. Saving some cash at fullback might make sense if you need to fork out for some high end props or halves. I tend to think if Doueihi was good, then he's capable of being solid if the team composition makes sense. But Thompson was solid in his support work and busy, so to be a success he realistically has to offer more than the man he replaced.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Spot on, souvalis ! The Tigers need a complete new spine as a starting point. Their current spine is simply a bunch of cast-offs who wouldn't be starting in other NRL teams ( on loan Harry Grant excepted). They let the beginning of a good spine go a few years back ( Teddy, & Moses ) and should have been fostering their junior leagues for the extras. Instead they lose what vital players they had, and have produced nothing from their juniors. They have grabbed a few from the Panthers but generally the wrong ones ! If they can't produce a spine out of their juniors from Holy Cross Ryde , St Gregory's Cambelltown or Lidcombe High , they best get out to Penrith and sniff around St Doms, St Marys & Glenmore Park or down to the Shire to Endeavour High where they grow spines on trees.
Tony
Roar Guru
I guess the good news for the Tigers is that some of their deadwood is leaving this year. They should push for a few more departures while their at it.
Tony
Roar Guru
I thought Thompson was one of their better performers when he was there. Who knows, maybe he'll come back if he's offered the fullback role. I just can't work out Mbye's best position, but it's certainly not centre or fullback.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yep. It will be out of Madge and Arthur for next coach being put off the bus.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Not a bad idea. Although this same arguement is the one the Dogs used to put DWZ at the back, then found out he couldn't catch. It is a shame the Tigers cannot keep Grant, along with Walters would be a good start. I'm a Thompson fan and couldn't believe Maguire let him go for Doueihi. I wonder if that's a decision he's regretting now? Not that he's flash by any means but won't let you down either. Brooks might need some time in the reserves. He's talented but his form is horrible this year and his history of success is there for all to see. Similar with Mbye, IMO, he's starving Talau. The Tigers appear to have decent young brigade but it's all very slow atm.
Tony
Roar Guru
I agree Fark, but in the absence of Gould turning up to solve all their problems, solving the fullback dilemma would be a start. There's plenty of good fullbacks who started life as a winger, Minichello and RTS to name but two. Alternatively, they could stick with their current lineup and game plan and see how they go.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
From memory dont think many Souths players shed tears when the club punted Madge 12 months after winning them a comp and I'm sure with yesterdays revelations most Tiger players would throw a party if the club drop kicked him out of the joint. Add in another poor table finish and theyre set to again pay crazy overs to recruit even fringe first graders . That said first point of attack would be Penriths nursery. Absolutely loaded with unused talent and ready made spine potential. Nofa is a fantastic winger who unfortunately is very reluctant to take high bombs with defenders on him.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Good call BB but I think the problems at the Tigs are more fundamental than the FB custodian. I suspect the Ringmaster is getting resistance from his performers when he cracks the whip .All the chopping n changing cannot be good for morale .