1/4 of the season gone

[old_man_tiger]

With the byes meaning all teams play 24 games, we have already chewed through a quarter of that! Feels like the season just started, but it is flying by.

Interested in everyone's balanced thoughts on where we are at.

For mine, I think we have seen enough from the team to draw the following conclusions:

- Defence is better, drastically, but still not at the level of the the top teams in terms of consistency over 80 minutes.
- 2 of the 3 loss were close enough that literally one big play would have won them, and in a similar vein, we got up against the Titans in a game like this. When we start to win 2 out of 3 of these instead of losing them, imo that will be enough for us to comfortably make the 8 most years.
-All of our games have been quite ugly to watch, from us and the opposition. This can't be a fluke week on week, despite what the commentators say. The aggression that we started to see last year has continued, line speed is generally ok and I think opposition packs still underestimate us. I think this is also a symptom of our forwards often dominating, stifling other teams momentum, but our own playmakers not taking advantage, which in turn stifles us.
- Given the way we have missed out clutch plays, which is our fault, not the refs or the opponent's, 3/6 seems fair. We look like a team that can finish 7 - 12 atm, but with more potential to improve than regress.
- Kicking tactics, bench use, 80 minutes of concentration, and left edge execution need to improve - but I'm happy with JT overall, esp based on the defence for 70 minutes of all our games and I think our attacking structure looks ok.
- Finally - why can Tigers teams either score points or stop them, but rarely both! Struck me that the dogs and warriors game saw our best attack and worst defence and composure.

 

[Tigersmurf]

Well thought out old man tiger. I agree with your post and am comfortable with where we are at. I think the most interesting point though is that we have played the biggest packs in the game and have held our own, let alone managed to not get flogged.

I thought a flogging was on the cards for sure last night, and that just shows how wrong I am about this team and JT. They dig in, they have a go, and they want to be hard to score against (although for 20 minutes last night they weren't).

The thing I like most though is the answers JT gives in the press conferences. If they try and draw him on the inconsistent refs then they he waives it off with "a you are just saying that to make a story and sell papers". His other line is that certain issues within the team are for us and will be discussed at training and not in public.

Great sense of maturity and shows no one else will be blamed for our position. I like where we are going.

 

[Tigersmurf]

One more thing, notice how teams like Manly and Penrith have players dropping like flies, whilst our injuries appear to have been relatively minor (touch wood). The structures are certainly in place for success as we have 95% of the same team on the field week in week out.

 

[boonboon]

Have been really happy with our first quarter of the season. 3/6 was more then I expected given we were playing last years grand finalists which I expected us to loose I thought we would go 50/50 with the others so a bonus win and a performance against both grand finalists that was great.

Forwards – Really impressive and have won the contest nearly every week.Woods has been comp leading, Galloway playing better, Siro has been great and will end the year as one of the best edge backrowers in the game, Lovett impresses me and Taupau has brought a new dimension
Halves - Have been quiet but defence has improved, kicking game is solid without spectacular. They both need to run the ball more - RUn Run RUn
Outside backs- Impressive and even Lawrence has improved with Simona, Richards and Kev all doing some really good things and Tedesco a star - 14 tries in last 15 matches
Bench - Lacking a bit of impact but unlike other years we haven't fallen apart when our starters go off. Very impressed with Halatua, Ava has been great in small minute, Jack is better and solid, with Sue inconsistent but impressive when he is on

 

[old_man_tiger]

One more thing, notice how teams like Manly and Penrith have players dropping like flies, whilst our injuries appear to have been relatively minor (touch wood). The structures are certainly in place for success as we have 95% of the same team on the field week in week out.

I totally forgot about I juries, that's a difference I'm enjoying (touch wood).

the more games together the better we will get.

 

[TrueTiger]

old man tiger,tigersmurf,I agree with your summations of the team in general and JT..

I would really like to point out that from what I have seen, the team looks much fitter and healthier than previous seasons….

This is great work by our new S&C department and should get a mention as should the new defensive coaches....

 

[Chevy]

With little recruitment the WT have surprisingly been competitive in each game.Full credit to JT and his staff for so far turning the club around.Still a long way to go but for once the WT long like they are heading in the right dirrection which hasn't been the case in the past.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

If we keep the first team fit, I have faith that JT will continue to bring the team on and things will fall into place at the business end of the season. We've played some very tough gritty football thus far and while our execution in attack and kicking game is still lacking, there are positive signs.

Most importantly, we're several weeks into the season and the rehab ward is relatively empty.

 

[tiga4eva]

Before the comp started I had us winning vs Titans Dragons and Eels and hopefully picking up 1 win vs Souths Dogs or NZ. 3-3 is a good start in that we haven't been blown away by any team. Our defence has a heap more attitude about it. I might be wrong but I think JT is stripping our attack back to the very basic,the constant mid-field bomb, the one out stuff by our forwards, slowly I think well see more creativity but I think he's teaching them about respecting possession. Were heading in the right direction, and I think JT is the right man to guide us there.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[LCA]

Happy(ish) with the start by the Tigers. Should have beaten one grand finalist from last year (Dogs) and put in a solid effort against the eventual premiers (Souths). All up, I think things are going better than I expected, and full credit to Taylor and his staff and the attitude of the squad.

But, hell, there are some impressive sides out there; Cowboys were awesome last night against Souths and Warriors were impressive against us. I should include Saints but I despise them, so I wont … lol

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

The defense looks much more structured but it means nothing if you have injuries, look at Manly this year. We have had a horror injury run for a few years but when we have been close to fully fit we have been very competitive. This year fully fit and we are no better placed than in previous years.

1/4 of the season gone and while there is a better feel about the club that is all it is at this stage.

Review after 1/2 year.

 

[larrycorowa]

and the Jury is still out….

 

[supercoach]

Three out of six is a good effort, we have won the games we should have won and been very competitive in the games we were the under dogs. Our draw has been tough so far in terms of turn around time, playing both Souths and the Warriors with short turn arounds.

Also our spine is still very hit and miss,so to win three games with a spine that is a long way from where it should be is a good effort. At present JT has them playing a very simple game plan, but you would think this will change as they get more games under their belts.

I am optimistic things will improve and we will be in the eight by the end of the season, but I am also worried about the mid season burn out and the SOO factor when at least Woods and Farah will be out and getting smashed playing for the state. On a positive note we have a good draw for the home straight.

 

[Tigermama]

One more thing, notice how teams like Manly and Penrith have players dropping like flies, whilst our injuries appear to have been relatively minor (touch wood). The structures are certainly in place for success as we have 95% of the same team on the field week in week out.

Isn't it great Tigersmurf. I pinch myself when i see the same team week in week out. Just in case i'am dreaming. :smiley:
The S.C stuff are doing a wonderful job.

 

[Rparto]

Some well put and thought out answers so far in this thread.

I've been impressed with the number of players who seem to have improved for various reasons, Sironen, Galloway, Lawrence, Simona, Sue are all performing to a higher level that previous years and Lovett, Santi have improved with still having a long way to go.

I'd like to see Ava playing longer minutes than he does, is a better player and offers lot more than Buchanan or the 15-20 minutes he's being playing lately.

Great to see our injuries ( touch wood ) down and hopefully this continues well into the season, our defence has improved and with experience and maturity, looking forward to JT giving the 6,7 more freedom to play to what's in front of them football within the structures in place.

 

[pHyR3]

One more thing, notice how teams like Manly and Penrith have players dropping like flies, whilst our injuries appear to have been relatively minor (touch wood). The structures are certainly in place for success as we have 95% of the same team on the field week in week out.

really great point, im liking our chances mid origin. we lose woods (managed to do okay without him) and also farah (doing okay without him for periods in the game).

besides that our team is literally full strength bar noffa who isnt needed desperately as we have kevvy.

a consistent team will win you games, not changing it every week like we have done 2012-2014\. sometimes because of coachiing (*cough* sheenius *cough) and mostly because of injury. if we keep our 1 to 17 fit every game for 24 games we will 100% make the 8\. however, thats pretty much never going to happen and hasnt this year either

 

[happy_tiger]

It is only quarter of a season gone if we don't make the 8

We still have 3/4 to go , that's the best thing

 

[TrueTiger]

Well guys and girls,what makes me really happy is the attitude from the players and club as a whole,no big media leaks and stories week to week,higher concentration on the teams structure,all seems to be falling into place….
The other surprising thing is a very low injury rate and quicker recovery time on the niggling injuries...

The next quarter of the season will hopefully be sensational...

 

[innsaneink]

Great thread…terrific thread...love it....I can disagree with anything posted here, things are looking bright, structures are in place, defence is a work in progress but has improved great;ly and will get better....fitness and strength clearly on the up...kudos to the S& C staff here...the attack will come..we are focussing on a base, completions and defense....there is no point trying to attack if completions and defense are lacking...im very impressed with JTs interviews and pressers...been a long time since Ive looked forward to hearing a WTs coach speak his mind....he is interesting and always brings a point to things I have missed, I learn from his talks.
We're on the up...things arent bad....we apparently will recruit more from next year...futures bright.!
Great thread!!!

 

[Knuckles]

3/6 is about on par with what I expected.
Whatever we do this year we'll improve on next year ….... hoping for a top 8 spot but from what I've seen 10th-12th is probably more realistic.