Not for the first time in his tenure as Wests Tigers coach, Michael Maguire was forced to admit his side shot themselves in the foot during their 30-12 loss to Canberra.
Sunday was meant to be the start of a new era of hope for the Tigers, after a big pre-season trial win and much optimism about their new attack.
And briefly in the first half it looked spot on, after Jacon Liddle scored first and they had the Raiders making errors early on at GIO Stadium.
But, as so often is the case, the Tigers became their own worst enemies.
They finished the match with 11 errors, eight of them coming early in sets.
Their missed-tackle count reached 30, while their biggest error came straight after halftime in the form of a cheap Luke Garner penalty for contact on Jack Wighton after a kick.
The Raiders scored two plays later, the Tigers had just two play-the-balls in the first ten minutes of the second half and the game was never really back in their grasp.
“We definitely shot ourselves in the foot at times,” Maguire said.
“We didn’t help ourselves out in the second half at all. We definitely went away from a few things that we’ve been practising and spoken about
“If you spend that much time tackling, fatigue comes into the game.
“And that’s what we’re all trying to do to each other, the ebbs and flows of the game comes back on you and sure enough that the period hurt us.
“But still you got to dig through those, you’ve got to find ways.”
There were still positives for the Tigers.
Their first-half defence was good, while Luciano Leilua looks threatening on their left edge.
And Daine Laurie had moments where he looked dangerous in his first game for the club, with his maturity not to push balls he didn’t need to just as impressive.
“The more he plays, the better is going to get,” Maguire said.
“He’s still finding his way as you do when you’re early in your career. But he saved a number of tries in the first half.
“He returns a ball with speed.
“And if we create the opportunities I know this team can with the ball then Daine is definitely going to be a highlight in what we do.”
Jeannine Wallace
Roar Rookie
Good question! They have no attack and Brooks kicking game is non-sensical...(My life would be easier if I wasn't a W.T supporter :-)
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I can’t work it out.. Wonder to see where the tries come from this year if Brooks doesn’t step up.
Jeannine Wallace
Roar Rookie
Crazy, right!? Terrible decision-making by the management...
Jeannine Wallace
Roar Rookie
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Greg Parker
Guest
They will never have any consistency no matter who the coach is or who they buy. They are like the lost kids of divorcees - except they are not just spread between two homes, but 4 or 5. If wests want to be freakin Tiggers, let them be Tiggers. Ditch the Magpie and Macarthur area altogether and become the City Tiggers. Hopefully then, they find their identity and plant roots, leaving some enterprising billionaire to resurrect the Maggies in Macarthur as a stand alone team once again. 2005 almost proves the point. The ties to the Maggies were much stronger, as was the commitment to Campbelltown. It almost, in that one fleeting season, felt like they gave a toss about the area.
Andrew Grenenger
Guest
The Tigers were ordinary, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The forward pack is good. They need to lose Packer and Mbye from their cap and recruit players actually worth 750k.. Doeihi will shine at five eighth and bring composure in attack.. Joey, unfortunately was money not well spent and Madge will have to bite the bullet before too long and admit Talau is a better option in the centres.. 2 x Leilua's side by side doesn't work in attack or defense... Simpkins might be the better option at hooker also, but will take time... They have the makings of a good team, but need to accept their highest paid players in Mbye, Packer and Joey aren't helping their cause... Over priced and past their prime..
StuO
Roar Rookie
The Tigers have a recruitment and culture problem IMO. They seem to be a dumping ground for troubled players ( aka Roberts, J Leilua, Musgrove, Packer) and the club is without standards. What do they stand for? Its a tough ask to compete against the Raiders in Canberra for any squad, but the Tigers aren't giving themselves the best chance in this competition with their dubious recruitment decisions.
mushi
Roar Guru
I thought the tigers won the first game the last 5 or so years... so maybe new problems
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yes Paul it is very cynical.I have been commenting about the Wests Coach in recent seasons – IMO is the most over-rated coach in NRL. Yes he had a great season with the Bunnies ,some time ago, but has been dining on that only success for a long time.Wests used to be one of my Favorite Teams (Whom I wish every success), but I believe he is there biggest problem.
Paul
Roar Guru
gee you're having a good run on the cynical comments, :happy: It'll be interesting to see where Laurie is,comemid year.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Don’t worry Madge I’ll coach him down to a lower level by mid season
Tony
Roar Guru
And recruited Roberts :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Gerard ?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
They kept him over Benji...
Tony
Roar Guru
Sutton looks the goods
Phil
Roar Rookie
The Tigers weren't all that bad. Playing a team as good as Canberra is a big ask for a re-building club but the tigers showed a lot of grit in the first half defence where they seemed forever on their holding their own line. A big plus for them is the fullback, Daine Laurie. This bloke could be the buy of the season. Give him a year to learn all about first grade and he will be something. The obvious negative is the centre, Big Joey. Every team knows how to rattle him and he falls for it every time. Just give his little brother a clip around the ear and bingo, Joey's off his game. This team will get better with time, even Brooks who had a game to forget will improve.
Albo
Roar Rookie
He's a beauty Nat ! And in my SC team. Might be a tad mad, however, like few of those Raiders lads ? Had BJ chasing him all game, but wasn't good enough to get him.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
He hasn't matured at all and will end his career without ever waking up, Paul. Even at his best he was nowhere near as damaging as Mitchell, Staggs or even Bradman Best but he seems to be on huge money. He is well down the list of great centres even without the nonsense and is on superstar money I believe.
Rob
Guest
He was good but still a few grubby aspects of his game that he needs to wipe out. Bit of a dog shot on Luciano and there were a couple unnecessary "facials" in a few other tackles throughout the game.