2014 is history the main thing have we learnt anything as a club from last year lets hope so. 2015 is a complete new ball game my concern is we have lost a lot of experience BUT if the young guys coming through and can handle nrl , the injury gods smile on us the new coaching staff can bring the best out of our team MAYBE we are in with a chance. THE MAIN THING IS LETS ALL GET BEHIND THE TEAM AND COACHING STAFF GIVE THEM ALL THE SUPPORT WE CAN
Season preview article from the Roar
- Thread starter Tigerdon
- Start date
TIGERS
Well-known member
@LaT said:
Dude. Our defence has been rubbish since 2012\. There no getting around that fact.
Its no good saying… We are really good unless we factor in all the bad things about us.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Can't see us finishing any higher than about 7th, even with minimal injuries. We're weak in too many areas. A top 8 finish this will be a massive achievement imo.
@GNR4LIFE said:
to be honest, without any substantial injuries we could finish anywhere, our starting side is pretty damn good and if the new rules benefit us even a bit then our pack won't be outplayed too often.
but 2-3 injuries at the same time in the right places (2nd row and centre) would see us plummet quite quickly
foreveratiger
New member
Injuries will no doubt determine where we finish the Year ? If injuries are good to key players 6th to 10th IMO .
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
@pHyR3 said:
We have talent, but not sure its as much as some believe. I think we'll struggle in the centres and 2nd row even at full strength, and that's what i think will be our downfall.
innsaneink
Well-known member
@Geo. said:
LOL nice try
Smooth those feathers and get behind Naquiama with ''some'' of "us"
happy_tiger
Well-known member
@Geo. said:
And we did win a premiership 9 years ago
Top 8 in 2012
What the hell is everyone panicking about 😱pen_mouth:
happy_tiger
Well-known member
@Newtown said:
I'm betting Jarrod Saffy's or Sam Harris is coming back :wink:
Nothing like a rugby convert to save our souls
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
After a tumultuous year highlighted by the ‘is there or isn’t there’ feud between coach Mick Potter and hooker Robbie Farah, the Tigers have cleaned their house.
Mick Potter was unceremoniously dumped after taking a young team to within putting range of the top eight. I have no doubts that Potter is a good coach, but how effective can you be when your captain is running around telling people you haven’t a clue?
Enter Jason Taylor, who is back in the big boy chair for the first time since being cold cocked by Souths enforcer David Fa’alogo. He may be the JT they deserve, but can he be the JT they need? I think so.
The way Taylor’s rein ended at Souths was tragic, so it’s great to see him with another opportunity here. Let’s just hope he leaves the Kung Fu behind. Anyway, martial arts are out, it’s all about wrestling now.
The signings list is a little light on, I expect largely due to the last minute backflip by James Tedesco. Whatever the plan is, it will have to be carried out by the troops already on the ground. Although it should be said the Tigers have an exciting young roster who should be the focus of current contract talks.
Kevin Naiqama (of NSW Cup fame – also if you enjoy a good haircut, swing by the Tigers player profile page and check out the do on Kevin, outstanding), Josh Drinkwater and Chance Peni are the only new arrivals this season, while Braith Anasta, Adam Blair, Fulton Paterson, James Gavet and Bodene Thompson have all either retired or moved on.
Luke Brooks will be hoping he can add a little bit of consistency to his play after an up and down 2014 and if you are a fantasy fan I would recommend checking out Mitch Moses, who is expected to play a major role at five-eighth this year.
These two young men have grown up playing together and could go on to form one of the great playmaking combinations of generation next. They will be backed up by promising young halfback Drinkwater, utility back Tim Moltzen or even Curtis Sironen, who grew up playing in the halves.
Fullback Tedesco has been working overtime trying to adapt his running style to one more suited to the week to week grind of the NRL. We can only hope it won’t blunt his impressive attacking ability.
Evergreen Pat Richards and David Nofoaluma will be chasing down the two wing spots. David is a noted try scorer whose 2014 campaign was soured by a knee injury. Prior to surgery Nofoaluma registered an incredible 72 tackle-breaks in just games in 2014.
Keeping these three on their toes will be exciting young prospects like Kurtis Rowe, Delouise Hoeter and Sitaleki Akauola, who finished 2014 on the wing after Nofoaluma was forced to have surgery in Round 19.
Samoa international Tim Simona and hardworking everyman Chris Lawrence should nail down the centre spots although will be held to account by a number of youngsters bustling for some first grade experience. Headlined by Chance Peni, Nathan Milone and Asipeli Fine, who was named in the 2014 NSW Cup Team of The Year.
In the forwards the retirement of Anasta and departure of Blair means a wealth of experience has left the club, however the forwards will be led around by one of the most creative hookers in the business, Robbie Farah. He will need to be at the top of his game if the Tigers are a chance this year.
In the back row Curtis Sironen will be looking to build on his late season form. His combination with Brooks down the left side will be pivotal for the Tigers, particularly defensively where the young half back is most exposed.
Sauaso Sue has shown he can mix it up and play any position in the forwards although I expect he will be used primarily at lock with Dene Halatau to fill the second back rowers role.
Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway will fill the front row with Martin Taupau, Matt Lodge and Ava Seumanufagai completing the rotation. Taylor has laid responsibility firmly on his forwards for their performances in 2015 so Keith Galloway will need to continue developing his leadership credentials.
Dallas Graham may be a forward to watch, after co-captaining the NYC team last year this is his first year training with the senior team. He is a quality young forward who will likely be eased into the rigours of senior football.
Jason Taylor has told fans to get excited about 2015, with the small, young team likely to play some expansive exciting football in the team ahead. I am predicting an improvement in the Tigers this year moving into 12th. This could, however, be improved significantly if they are able to keep a first choice team on the field for the bulk of the year.
2014 Finish: 13th
2015 Prediction: 12th
Additions
Chance Peni (Knights), Josh Drinkwater (London Broncos), Kevin Naiqama (Panthers)
Losses
Braith Anasta, Liam Fulton (both retired), Cory Paterson (Salford), James Gavet, Adam Blair (both Broncos), Jarred Farlow (French rugby), Blake Austin (Raiders), Jy Hitchcox (Featherstone Rovers), Bodene Thompson (Warriors).
Mick Potter was unceremoniously dumped after taking a young team to within putting range of the top eight. I have no doubts that Potter is a good coach, but how effective can you be when your captain is running around telling people you haven’t a clue?
Enter Jason Taylor, who is back in the big boy chair for the first time since being cold cocked by Souths enforcer David Fa’alogo. He may be the JT they deserve, but can he be the JT they need? I think so.
The way Taylor’s rein ended at Souths was tragic, so it’s great to see him with another opportunity here. Let’s just hope he leaves the Kung Fu behind. Anyway, martial arts are out, it’s all about wrestling now.
The signings list is a little light on, I expect largely due to the last minute backflip by James Tedesco. Whatever the plan is, it will have to be carried out by the troops already on the ground. Although it should be said the Tigers have an exciting young roster who should be the focus of current contract talks.
Kevin Naiqama (of NSW Cup fame – also if you enjoy a good haircut, swing by the Tigers player profile page and check out the do on Kevin, outstanding), Josh Drinkwater and Chance Peni are the only new arrivals this season, while Braith Anasta, Adam Blair, Fulton Paterson, James Gavet and Bodene Thompson have all either retired or moved on.
Luke Brooks will be hoping he can add a little bit of consistency to his play after an up and down 2014 and if you are a fantasy fan I would recommend checking out Mitch Moses, who is expected to play a major role at five-eighth this year.
These two young men have grown up playing together and could go on to form one of the great playmaking combinations of generation next. They will be backed up by promising young halfback Drinkwater, utility back Tim Moltzen or even Curtis Sironen, who grew up playing in the halves.
Fullback Tedesco has been working overtime trying to adapt his running style to one more suited to the week to week grind of the NRL. We can only hope it won’t blunt his impressive attacking ability.
Evergreen Pat Richards and David Nofoaluma will be chasing down the two wing spots. David is a noted try scorer whose 2014 campaign was soured by a knee injury. Prior to surgery Nofoaluma registered an incredible 72 tackle-breaks in just games in 2014.
Keeping these three on their toes will be exciting young prospects like Kurtis Rowe, Delouise Hoeter and Sitaleki Akauola, who finished 2014 on the wing after Nofoaluma was forced to have surgery in Round 19.
Samoa international Tim Simona and hardworking everyman Chris Lawrence should nail down the centre spots although will be held to account by a number of youngsters bustling for some first grade experience. Headlined by Chance Peni, Nathan Milone and Asipeli Fine, who was named in the 2014 NSW Cup Team of The Year.
In the forwards the retirement of Anasta and departure of Blair means a wealth of experience has left the club, however the forwards will be led around by one of the most creative hookers in the business, Robbie Farah. He will need to be at the top of his game if the Tigers are a chance this year.
In the back row Curtis Sironen will be looking to build on his late season form. His combination with Brooks down the left side will be pivotal for the Tigers, particularly defensively where the young half back is most exposed.
Sauaso Sue has shown he can mix it up and play any position in the forwards although I expect he will be used primarily at lock with Dene Halatau to fill the second back rowers role.
Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway will fill the front row with Martin Taupau, Matt Lodge and Ava Seumanufagai completing the rotation. Taylor has laid responsibility firmly on his forwards for their performances in 2015 so Keith Galloway will need to continue developing his leadership credentials.
Dallas Graham may be a forward to watch, after co-captaining the NYC team last year this is his first year training with the senior team. He is a quality young forward who will likely be eased into the rigours of senior football.
Jason Taylor has told fans to get excited about 2015, with the small, young team likely to play some expansive exciting football in the team ahead. I am predicting an improvement in the Tigers this year moving into 12th. This could, however, be improved significantly if they are able to keep a first choice team on the field for the bulk of the year.
2014 Finish: 13th
2015 Prediction: 12th
Additions
Chance Peni (Knights), Josh Drinkwater (London Broncos), Kevin Naiqama (Panthers)
Losses
Braith Anasta, Liam Fulton (both retired), Cory Paterson (Salford), James Gavet, Adam Blair (both Broncos), Jarred Farlow (French rugby), Blake Austin (Raiders), Jy Hitchcox (Featherstone Rovers), Bodene Thompson (Warriors).
supercoach
Well-known member
I think the article is on the money and we would need a lot to go right to finish above bottom four. We just do not have enough elite experienced players who deliver week in and week out. We have some great young talent but they will have a few off days. Anyway I am ready to be surprised but I just cant see too many wins coming our way
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
i can see enough wins to make the 8 if key players are on the field regardless of the article.
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
in other words - few injuries and a muzzle on robbie
I still have no idea - it's a lottery. Whilst my expectations aren't very high I am hopeful of a much better season than the last one. Even if that just means there is peace and unity in the club and the players and staff are happy. This, at least, would build a good foundation for future seasons.
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
in the semi's maybe - but the cream always rises to the top by 26 rounds
This team will put 30 on any team in the comp and then get done by 30… the season is going to be exciting in many ways. What I am glad about is the stability the club has in the front office ,the on field stuff will take a bit of time which should be given by the supporters.
As mentioned previously no big names have signed but many forget that there is a very talented bunch of untried rookies wanting to show there wares, I am certainly not in the opinion the team will win the comp but do believe they will make a good showing and surprise many which will lay the foundation for a few top class signing's in the future, the only thing that is missing with this group of players will be game experience which is important but not essential if JT can get into there heads and injuries are low anything can happen because that what makes sport so great..
As mentioned previously no big names have signed but many forget that there is a very talented bunch of untried rookies wanting to show there wares, I am certainly not in the opinion the team will win the comp but do believe they will make a good showing and surprise many which will lay the foundation for a few top class signing's in the future, the only thing that is missing with this group of players will be game experience which is important but not essential if JT can get into there heads and injuries are low anything can happen because that what makes sport so great..
