The highly anticipated finals are just around the corner but first I will look at the Wests Tigers, who are in full struggle mode.
The Tigers have not finished their season with a win that would have given them some momentum going into 2022, which is what the Tales from Tiger Town producers would have wanted. Instead, they had a catastrophic 38-point loss at the hands of the last placed Canterbury Bulldogs.
Madge’s men headed into this match-up knowing that no matter the outcome, they would not take part in the finals for the tenth year in a row. Wests still had a lot to play for, however, as a win would’ve been a great way to give them something positive heading into 2022. This is not how things panned out.
They will finish 13th on the ladder, one place further down than my prediction at the start of the season. I thought they would do bad enough by finishing 12th but instead they done one worse.
Things were not going their way from the very start of the match as Nick Meaney scored in the tenth minute before Jake Averillo crossed the line three minutes later. The Dogs were up by 16 points to 0 at halftime and you could just imagine their opposition’s locker room as we have seen Madge’s emotions before when his side have played terribly, but I can’t remember when they were playing this poorly.
If you know Michael Maguire, then you would know whatever side he is coaching never gives up and fights until the end. Apologies, Tigers fans, but your side in the second half looked like a bunch of under-8s only beginning to understand the tactics of footy.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Full credit to the Bulldogs, who played outstandingly well and it was probably their best full 80 minutes in the last two or three years. Wests’ play, on the other hand, was just completely sloppy, and their ball movement was all over the shop. Sunday’s performance at Redcliffe was a representation of pretty much all of their season.
The question remains: should Madge be sacked this off-season? My answer is no. Madge is one of the best coaches in the league and these below average performances like Sunday’s should be 100 per cent blamed on the players.
The orange and black army have proved what they are capable of and that they can play like a finals team in patches but a lot of the time we just don’t see enough effort and leadership out of anybody in the side.
Luke Brooks is supposed to be the great strong leading halfback, but right now he hasn’t even sorted his plan of attack out. Wests can’t really say that they’ve got a strong team ready for next season as their only noticeable signing is Jackson Hastings.
They seem like they’re at a dead end with nowhere to go now. Two signings that could work out for the group are either Ash Taylor or Sam Williams, who are both off-contract at the end of the season, although you can argue either of these halves won’t bring much more to the club than Brooks.
Overall, this was an atrocious year for the Wests Tigers and unless they fix up their attitude or start to gain some player leadership in the club, they don’t look like improving much in 2022.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
You can argue that and that is your opinion. Mine however is that Reed Mahoney has never played anywhere else and looked to be a decent player when he got him so well done on the recruitment bloke, Lane’s game is completely unchanged from when he was hot and cold at Manly or the Dogs. Paulo came back from Canberra a better player if anything, Papalii was a good buy not a player developed at the eels, Gutherson likewise, he just couldn’t get a start ahead of Turbo at Manly but he was already a pretty decent player that was bought not developed , as for Niukore a handy player but hardly a big game player and Moses has the same game than when he was at the tigers
Tim
Guest
I’d argue in BA’s favour that Moses, Gutherson, Lane, Papali’i, Reed Mahoney, Junior Paulo, Marata Niukore have all improved significantly under him.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Just leave the Doggies alone and send Wests to Campbelltown.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Tariq Sims?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Maguire and Arthur are Bellamy disciples. What they learnt off him is no longer relevant to the game. Bellamy and others have moved forward, Maguire and Arthur have not
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Geez, your a glutton for punishment.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I watched it but almost switched to the union. My tigers loyalty allowed the massachism to continue.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I see Maguire in the same way as Brad Arthur, competent but no innovation. I can’t think of one player who has improved on their watch. Maguire has weeded out a lot of what he didn’t want before this year and hasn’t really identified anyone in that club to step up. Arthur has recruited some pretty decent talent in his time that are playing no better in his system than they were in their previous clubs.
Shoret Memory
Guest
Pascoe is conducting a thorough review, and will no doubt conclude that he himself is not the problem.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Not sure Tigers from Tiger Town was a good idea for a club that deserved the wooden spoon. While I like the Tigers some of their games this year were the worst displays of football I have seen in a long time. The players were embarrassing, it was hard to watch. Apart from Dan Laurie, Adam Doueihi and Luciano Leilua, no one else played with any enthusiasm or passion. It's kind of Bronco-esque 2020, the management CEO and board would need to exit before anything else gets fixed.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Latrell Mitchell & entourage staying in Qld! Who is paying? Souths or the NRL
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
An onsite Barber . That's exactly what I need at the moment. Starting to look like a homeless person.
kk
Roar Pro
Tariq is exactly the type of forward to round off the pack contingent. Elliott is a worry. I have never forgotten the Sims Bros as Cowboys.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I think they need a coach that is going to develop players; which is not Madge’s skill set. And also a football department that is going to manage the cap. While Ivan’s signings were not what Madge wanted, they were left to fester. Compare that with what the Broncos have done, to a lesser extent Saints under Hook, and even the Panthers when Ivan himself arrived. The Sharks took another route but still remained competitive. They all did surgery to the squad and have brighter days ahead.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Don’t worry, the CoE is almost here. The correct biscuits, a shiny paint job and even a on-site barber. The future is bright.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Certainly not a Dogs fan but as someone that watched the game that is grossly unfair to C-B. They played really well, showed passion, commitment and skill.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Good to see your an old style supporter like me and refer to them under their original name .
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Tariq is available.
Walter Black
Guest
I wouldn't even try clearing out the team or getting a new coach until the board is gone. Blow the place up, dissolve the merger, form a new club with a proper management structure and some good business types running the place before you even consider touching the football department.
kk
Roar Pro
BD, C-B need another quality forward to get them through the season into the top eight and if there is one available with room in the salary cap?