NZTiger
Well-known member
Greg Alexander says we'll just miss out again…..I'm liking these low expectations tbh. Just how the Tigers like it.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26760895-5018866,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
**2010 NRL premiership season preview with Greg Alexander: Wests Tigers**
By Belinda Cotter
foxsports.com.au
March 04, 2010
Foxsports.com.au and Greg Alexander bring you all you need to know about Wests Tigers, Brandy's tip to finish ninth in the 2010 NRL premiership season.
**New faces:** Tame Tupou (Bradford); Geoff Daniela (Panthers); Mitch Brown (Sharks); Arana Taumata (Storm); Liam Fulton (Huddersfield); Mark Flanagan (Wigan); Junior Moors (Panthers); Jason Cayless (St Helens); Daniel Fitzhenry (Hull KR); Liam Ayoub (Bulldogs); Lote Tuqiri (Leicester).
**Shown the door:** John Morris (Sharks); Peni Tagive (Dragons); Dean Collis (Sharks); Dene Halatau (Bulldogs); Shannon Gallant (Cowboys); Daine Lawrie (Pantrhers); Danny Galea (Raiders); Corey Payne (Bulldogs); Rocky Trimarchi (released); John Skandalis (retired).
**Last year:** 2009 was a case of another year, another missed finals series for the Tigers thanks mostly to a mid-season capitulation, which included a five-match losing streak. The backend of the year was where the Tigers played their best footy, and fans were given a sniff of the finals thanks to six wins in a row. But their hard work was derailed in round 24 when a late try to Parramatta sealed the their '09 fate. British import Gareth Ellis proved to be an excellent buy, finishing the year as best on-field.
**Room for improvement:** Winning the tight ones is critical for Wests Tigers in 2010\. Last year they lost four matches by two points or less, which proved to be a deciding factor in missing the top eight. While injuries are out of a coach's control, Tim Sheens will be hoping for a smaller toll this year after losing key players across the park last season including Keith Galloway, Chris Lawrence, and Taniela Tuiaki late in the season. An off-season of clever signings, such as Lote Tuqiri and the return of Liam Fulton, should deliver some relief in the form of increased back-up if the injury curse strikes again.
**Game breaker:** An injury free 2009 saw Benji Marshall have his best season with the Tigers since winning the premiership in 2005\. Moved back to his preferred five-eighth role, the extra space saw Marshall thrive. Combined with Robbie Farah, he provides the attacking prowess for the Tigers and is a genuine match-winner. Watch for the Benji side step once again reign supreme.
**Rising star:** He was touted as a New South Wales origin player in 2009 before injury robbed him of the chance to don the sky blue colours, but Chris Lawrence will be looking to return to the form that saw him handed such praises. Sure he may be may be an established first-grader, but at 21 years of age the centre still has plenty of potential to fill.
**Last chance:** Joining his fifth NRL club at the ripe old age of 20 years of age, Arana Taumata will have to be on his best behaviour in 2010 if he wants to build a career with the Tigers. Prior to joining Wests, he was marched by the Storm in early 2009, the Bulldogs in 2008, Sydney Roosters in 2007 and Brisbane in 2006\. If he does put all his attention on-field, Taumata offers the Tigers an exciting addition to the backline.
**Coach factor:** Tim Sheens is heading into his seventh year as head coach of the Tigers and will be hoping to break the finals hoodoo that has struck the side since winning the premiership in 2005\. He brought the side out of a mid-season rut to be genuine finals contenders in 2009, but knows that consistency will be the key to getting the Tigers over the line in 2010\. “We've got to be a little tougher, a little bit more consistent and some of the strategies that we're planning to do in that area will give us that,” Sheens said.
**Key stat:** The Tigers need to win consistently. Since winning the NRL grand final in 2005, they have managed to win three or more matches in a row on just two occasions. They went on to win six successive matches on both occasions: rounds 17-23 in 2009, and rounds 5-11 in 2007.
**Greg Alexander says:** "There are certainly a lot of new faces, which they needed after falling short over the past four seasons. They bought well, with Lote (Tuqiri) giving them plenty of options, Jason Cayless is a good signing up front. But it will all come back to their two key men Farah and Marshall, how they go this year."
**The Adjudicator says:** "This is it! This is the year! Benji Marshall stays injury free, Robbie Farah becomes the complete superstar and leader Tim Sheens has been promising us, Lote Tuqiri provides a Wendell-esque NRL renaissance and fans finally accept the fact that Scott Prince isn’t coming back to Campbelltown. All that combined with a special visit from the Easter bunny riding a unicorn and the Tigers are headed back to the finals!"
**Fantasy banker/darkhorse:** After a year assimilating to the NRL Gareth Ellis's Fantasy prospects will be even stronger in his sophomore season. The leading backrower from the Tigers in Fantasy last season, expect him to rocket up the ranks league-wide in 2010\. Daniel Fitzhenry will be a darkhorse after two years spent in the English Super League but there's no reason to think he won't be a serious try-scoring threat, even at 30 years of age.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26760895-5018866,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
**2010 NRL premiership season preview with Greg Alexander: Wests Tigers**
By Belinda Cotter
foxsports.com.au
March 04, 2010
Foxsports.com.au and Greg Alexander bring you all you need to know about Wests Tigers, Brandy's tip to finish ninth in the 2010 NRL premiership season.
**New faces:** Tame Tupou (Bradford); Geoff Daniela (Panthers); Mitch Brown (Sharks); Arana Taumata (Storm); Liam Fulton (Huddersfield); Mark Flanagan (Wigan); Junior Moors (Panthers); Jason Cayless (St Helens); Daniel Fitzhenry (Hull KR); Liam Ayoub (Bulldogs); Lote Tuqiri (Leicester).
**Shown the door:** John Morris (Sharks); Peni Tagive (Dragons); Dean Collis (Sharks); Dene Halatau (Bulldogs); Shannon Gallant (Cowboys); Daine Lawrie (Pantrhers); Danny Galea (Raiders); Corey Payne (Bulldogs); Rocky Trimarchi (released); John Skandalis (retired).
**Last year:** 2009 was a case of another year, another missed finals series for the Tigers thanks mostly to a mid-season capitulation, which included a five-match losing streak. The backend of the year was where the Tigers played their best footy, and fans were given a sniff of the finals thanks to six wins in a row. But their hard work was derailed in round 24 when a late try to Parramatta sealed the their '09 fate. British import Gareth Ellis proved to be an excellent buy, finishing the year as best on-field.
**Room for improvement:** Winning the tight ones is critical for Wests Tigers in 2010\. Last year they lost four matches by two points or less, which proved to be a deciding factor in missing the top eight. While injuries are out of a coach's control, Tim Sheens will be hoping for a smaller toll this year after losing key players across the park last season including Keith Galloway, Chris Lawrence, and Taniela Tuiaki late in the season. An off-season of clever signings, such as Lote Tuqiri and the return of Liam Fulton, should deliver some relief in the form of increased back-up if the injury curse strikes again.
**Game breaker:** An injury free 2009 saw Benji Marshall have his best season with the Tigers since winning the premiership in 2005\. Moved back to his preferred five-eighth role, the extra space saw Marshall thrive. Combined with Robbie Farah, he provides the attacking prowess for the Tigers and is a genuine match-winner. Watch for the Benji side step once again reign supreme.
**Rising star:** He was touted as a New South Wales origin player in 2009 before injury robbed him of the chance to don the sky blue colours, but Chris Lawrence will be looking to return to the form that saw him handed such praises. Sure he may be may be an established first-grader, but at 21 years of age the centre still has plenty of potential to fill.
**Last chance:** Joining his fifth NRL club at the ripe old age of 20 years of age, Arana Taumata will have to be on his best behaviour in 2010 if he wants to build a career with the Tigers. Prior to joining Wests, he was marched by the Storm in early 2009, the Bulldogs in 2008, Sydney Roosters in 2007 and Brisbane in 2006\. If he does put all his attention on-field, Taumata offers the Tigers an exciting addition to the backline.
**Coach factor:** Tim Sheens is heading into his seventh year as head coach of the Tigers and will be hoping to break the finals hoodoo that has struck the side since winning the premiership in 2005\. He brought the side out of a mid-season rut to be genuine finals contenders in 2009, but knows that consistency will be the key to getting the Tigers over the line in 2010\. “We've got to be a little tougher, a little bit more consistent and some of the strategies that we're planning to do in that area will give us that,” Sheens said.
**Key stat:** The Tigers need to win consistently. Since winning the NRL grand final in 2005, they have managed to win three or more matches in a row on just two occasions. They went on to win six successive matches on both occasions: rounds 17-23 in 2009, and rounds 5-11 in 2007.
**Greg Alexander says:** "There are certainly a lot of new faces, which they needed after falling short over the past four seasons. They bought well, with Lote (Tuqiri) giving them plenty of options, Jason Cayless is a good signing up front. But it will all come back to their two key men Farah and Marshall, how they go this year."
**The Adjudicator says:** "This is it! This is the year! Benji Marshall stays injury free, Robbie Farah becomes the complete superstar and leader Tim Sheens has been promising us, Lote Tuqiri provides a Wendell-esque NRL renaissance and fans finally accept the fact that Scott Prince isn’t coming back to Campbelltown. All that combined with a special visit from the Easter bunny riding a unicorn and the Tigers are headed back to the finals!"
**Fantasy banker/darkhorse:** After a year assimilating to the NRL Gareth Ellis's Fantasy prospects will be even stronger in his sophomore season. The leading backrower from the Tigers in Fantasy last season, expect him to rocket up the ranks league-wide in 2010\. Daniel Fitzhenry will be a darkhorse after two years spent in the English Super League but there's no reason to think he won't be a serious try-scoring threat, even at 30 years of age.
