Wests Tigers 2009 season preview
February 13th 2009 08:07
The lowdown
Since winning the Premiership in 2005, the Wests Tigers have failed to make the finals, compounding a team full of promise and talent with disappointment and frustration.
The Tigers never really got a roll on in season 2008, highlighted by the fact they never went beyond a two match winning streak last year.
Despite this, the Tigers were in the running for a finals spot well into 2008. The Tigers however could not capitalise on the opportunities given to them, losing three straight games from rounds 23 to 25 to leave them out of contention.
2009 prospects
Although they never got going in season 2008, the Tigers did show glimpses of their best form.
On song, the Tigers are the best side in the NRL at playing team based football, with all players usually involved in scoring a try or defending points.
However, it was more a case of individual flair that got them over the line at times last season, with Benji Marshall having a key say in most of the Tigers points.
Marshall made 17 try assists to once again showcase his importance to the Wests club.
Indeed when Marshall fires, the Tigers fire, and on occasions, they burned opposition to the ground.
With Marshall and Farah in the side, the Tigers possess two of the best playmakers in the NRL, with both capable of laying on the points.
The Tigers scored a very respectable 92 tries which placed them as the fifth best attacking unit in the NRL last season.
This demonstrates that with Marshall and Farah in their line-up, the Tigers are one of the hardest teams to keep scoreless on the try sheet.
Although they tend to score pretty easily, the Tigers defence on occasions was hard to fathom for coach Tim Sheens.
Against lowly opposition such as the Panthers and the Eels, the Tigers were made to look very ordinary defending their tryline last season and this cost Wests dearly.
Indeed the Tigers attack and defence at the moment is at opposite ends of the spectrum. If they want to be a premiership force, those two components of their game must be equally strong.
2009 Prediction
Consistency for the Tigers remains their Achilles heal. They failed to win three games on the trot last season and for a place in the top eight, that is not good enough.
The Tigers will once again be looking for Farah and Marshall for inspiration and structure in their football.
If both these players stay injury free, the Tigers can be dangerous. Without them, their depth will be tested and so will their ability to go up the NRL ladder.
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