The Sydney Morning Herald
The stunning stat that proves Wests Tigers are better off without the 'big four'
Adrian Proszenko
Wests Tigers have bent over backwards to keep them, but this stunning stat suggests the club is better off without the "big four".
James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks have taken the field together on 35 occasions since 2014\. According to Champion data, the quartet have notched just 13 victories together, for a winning percentage of 37 per cent.
Tigers fans are still coming to terms with the fact they will lose three of their local juniors – Moses to Parramatta, Woods to Canterbury and Tedesco to the Roosters. However, the alarmingly low strike rate when they are all fit and available should soften the blow as the club prepares to raid the open market with a war chest approaching the $4 million mark.
A breakdown of the statistics shows the Tigers are more likely to sing the team song when only three of the quartet are available, with the winning percentage rising to 45 per cent. That figure drops to 36 per cent when only two are present, while the join-venture outfit has lost on the one occasion when just one of the "big four" were available.
One stat that may prompt coach Ivan Cleary to grant Moses an early release is this: the team actually performs better without him, winning 60 per cent of the time when he's out injured. The figure drops to 34 per cent when he takes the field.
Cleary has plenty of money and now must work out how to best spend it. Given the turmoil that has surrounded the club in recent seasons, there are fears marquee players may demand "overs" to head to Concord. However, the Tigers could benefit if rival clubs are forced to offload talent after overestimating the salary cap figure for next year and beyond. The NRL has already warned clubs that contracts won't be registered unless they comply with the nominal figure of $8.7 million that is currently before the players' association in collective bargaining negotiations.
The Tigers have identified props Ben Matulino and Russell Packer as potential replacements for Woods. They have missed out on the signature of Gareth Widdop, who has signed a four-year extension with the Dragons, although they could be the beneficiaries of an expected fire sale of Canterbury talent.
While the Tigers are chasing big names, Jack Littlejohn is hoping they will see the value of retaining him. The playmaker has been filling in for the injured Brooks, who is attempting to prove his fitness in time for Sunday's clash with Canterbury. Littlejohn is hoping to earn a regular starting spot and a new contract before the season is out.
"I've always seen myself as a first grade player," Littlejohn said.
"I think I've been proving that over the last few weeks. It all depends on what the coach wants – if he wants me to hang around and be that player or be that back-up half. I can play anywhere on the field, so I'm happy to fill that role if they see fit.
"The halves are definitely my position, but playing hooker isn't too bad, I don't mind getting in there and mixing it with the big boys. But halves is definitely my spot."
Cleary refused Moses' requests for an early departure. If Moses was to leave it would give Littlejohn more opportunities to prove himself.
"Definitely it comes across your mind, the opportunities I'd get if he did leave," he said.
"In saying that, the best thing for the team would be if he stays because he's such a class player, there's no denying that."
The Tigers have won just two games all season and risk falling out of play-off contention with another loss to the Bulldogs.
Hooker Matt McIlwrick hasn't given up hope of playing finals football this year.
"That's football, you win two games in a row and you're near the [top] eight again," McIlwrick said.
"We're not holding our heads down, we know we're not far from that. We just have to play good footy.
The stunning stat that proves Wests Tigers are better off without the 'big four'
Adrian Proszenko
Wests Tigers have bent over backwards to keep them, but this stunning stat suggests the club is better off without the "big four".
James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks have taken the field together on 35 occasions since 2014\. According to Champion data, the quartet have notched just 13 victories together, for a winning percentage of 37 per cent.
Tigers fans are still coming to terms with the fact they will lose three of their local juniors – Moses to Parramatta, Woods to Canterbury and Tedesco to the Roosters. However, the alarmingly low strike rate when they are all fit and available should soften the blow as the club prepares to raid the open market with a war chest approaching the $4 million mark.
A breakdown of the statistics shows the Tigers are more likely to sing the team song when only three of the quartet are available, with the winning percentage rising to 45 per cent. That figure drops to 36 per cent when only two are present, while the join-venture outfit has lost on the one occasion when just one of the "big four" were available.
One stat that may prompt coach Ivan Cleary to grant Moses an early release is this: the team actually performs better without him, winning 60 per cent of the time when he's out injured. The figure drops to 34 per cent when he takes the field.
Cleary has plenty of money and now must work out how to best spend it. Given the turmoil that has surrounded the club in recent seasons, there are fears marquee players may demand "overs" to head to Concord. However, the Tigers could benefit if rival clubs are forced to offload talent after overestimating the salary cap figure for next year and beyond. The NRL has already warned clubs that contracts won't be registered unless they comply with the nominal figure of $8.7 million that is currently before the players' association in collective bargaining negotiations.
The Tigers have identified props Ben Matulino and Russell Packer as potential replacements for Woods. They have missed out on the signature of Gareth Widdop, who has signed a four-year extension with the Dragons, although they could be the beneficiaries of an expected fire sale of Canterbury talent.
While the Tigers are chasing big names, Jack Littlejohn is hoping they will see the value of retaining him. The playmaker has been filling in for the injured Brooks, who is attempting to prove his fitness in time for Sunday's clash with Canterbury. Littlejohn is hoping to earn a regular starting spot and a new contract before the season is out.
"I've always seen myself as a first grade player," Littlejohn said.
"I think I've been proving that over the last few weeks. It all depends on what the coach wants – if he wants me to hang around and be that player or be that back-up half. I can play anywhere on the field, so I'm happy to fill that role if they see fit.
"The halves are definitely my position, but playing hooker isn't too bad, I don't mind getting in there and mixing it with the big boys. But halves is definitely my spot."
Cleary refused Moses' requests for an early departure. If Moses was to leave it would give Littlejohn more opportunities to prove himself.
"Definitely it comes across your mind, the opportunities I'd get if he did leave," he said.
"In saying that, the best thing for the team would be if he stays because he's such a class player, there's no denying that."
The Tigers have won just two games all season and risk falling out of play-off contention with another loss to the Bulldogs.
Hooker Matt McIlwrick hasn't given up hope of playing finals football this year.
"That's football, you win two games in a row and you're near the [top] eight again," McIlwrick said.
"We're not holding our heads down, we know we're not far from that. We just have to play good footy.
