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Tigers in wet run for finals
David Sygall
June 10, 2012
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BALMAIN Team of the Century player Tim Brasher says the Wests Tigers' wet-weather wins in the past two rounds have proven they can play finals football.
The Tigers overcame an under-strength but spirited Melbourne Storm 10-6 in Melbourne on Friday night in drizzling rain, backing up their 40-0 drubbing of the Raiders in miserable conditions in Canberra. Both occasions called for the Tigers to adjust their traditionally expansive game in favour of a more controlled version, a brief they executed well.
''That's probably the thing I like the most about the last couple of games,'' Brasher told The Sun-Herald yesterday. ''They've held back their flamboyance to adapt to the conditions. That's actually showed that they can play more semi-final-type football, because that's what really happens in semi-finals. It's not as flamboyant, it tightens up. They've proved now that they can do that, which is great.''
Coach Tim Sheens was equally pleased, saying that in the past two or three seasons his side had played ''better wet weather footy than most people would give us credit for''.
It has been a stunning turnaround for the Tigers, who entered the competition with high expectations but slumped to one win from their first six matches. Brasher, who played 185 games for Balmain from 1989 to 1997, said bearing the No.1 ranking might have weighed heavily on the side.
''At the beginning of the year everyone was talking them up, but there's nothing worse than getting told you're going to be the best team in the comp and that you're the one to beat,'' he said. ''You get out there and there's a lot of pressure on you.
''Now, after that start, the pressure came off and they started playing to their ability. They're gelling well and even the guys that have come in off the bench are making a big impact. I think they're starting to believe in each other a bit now.''
Brasher suggested criticism of the pack early in the season was warranted, but said it had responded well.
''The few boys they were talking about there, they were good players who weren't playing fantastically at the beginning of the year,'' he said. ''They weren't in good form. I think they just needed a bit of time to get going. But it certainly wouldn't have hurt them to hear a bit of that stuff.''
While happy to see the Tigers on a winning run, Brasher warned there was a long way to go this year.
''They're a great team but, on their day, half the teams out there can win the premiership,'' the former NSW and Australian representative said. ''Probably the best you could say at the moment is that they're one of those teams.
''If they can keep playing consistently and they believe in themselves, there's no reason they won't be there in the final couple.''
The club said yesterday injured players, fullback Tim Moltzen (hip) and forward Liam Fulton (suspected back spasms), both hoped to be fit for next Sunday's home match against the Roosters.
David Sygall
June 10, 2012
\
\
BALMAIN Team of the Century player Tim Brasher says the Wests Tigers' wet-weather wins in the past two rounds have proven they can play finals football.
The Tigers overcame an under-strength but spirited Melbourne Storm 10-6 in Melbourne on Friday night in drizzling rain, backing up their 40-0 drubbing of the Raiders in miserable conditions in Canberra. Both occasions called for the Tigers to adjust their traditionally expansive game in favour of a more controlled version, a brief they executed well.
''That's probably the thing I like the most about the last couple of games,'' Brasher told The Sun-Herald yesterday. ''They've held back their flamboyance to adapt to the conditions. That's actually showed that they can play more semi-final-type football, because that's what really happens in semi-finals. It's not as flamboyant, it tightens up. They've proved now that they can do that, which is great.''
Coach Tim Sheens was equally pleased, saying that in the past two or three seasons his side had played ''better wet weather footy than most people would give us credit for''.
It has been a stunning turnaround for the Tigers, who entered the competition with high expectations but slumped to one win from their first six matches. Brasher, who played 185 games for Balmain from 1989 to 1997, said bearing the No.1 ranking might have weighed heavily on the side.
''At the beginning of the year everyone was talking them up, but there's nothing worse than getting told you're going to be the best team in the comp and that you're the one to beat,'' he said. ''You get out there and there's a lot of pressure on you.
''Now, after that start, the pressure came off and they started playing to their ability. They're gelling well and even the guys that have come in off the bench are making a big impact. I think they're starting to believe in each other a bit now.''
Brasher suggested criticism of the pack early in the season was warranted, but said it had responded well.
''The few boys they were talking about there, they were good players who weren't playing fantastically at the beginning of the year,'' he said. ''They weren't in good form. I think they just needed a bit of time to get going. But it certainly wouldn't have hurt them to hear a bit of that stuff.''
While happy to see the Tigers on a winning run, Brasher warned there was a long way to go this year.
''They're a great team but, on their day, half the teams out there can win the premiership,'' the former NSW and Australian representative said. ''Probably the best you could say at the moment is that they're one of those teams.
''If they can keep playing consistently and they believe in themselves, there's no reason they won't be there in the final couple.''
The club said yesterday injured players, fullback Tim Moltzen (hip) and forward Liam Fulton (suspected back spasms), both hoped to be fit for next Sunday's home match against the Roosters.
