**<big>Tigers ready to repeat 2005 miracle</big>**
Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 02, 2011
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tigers-ready-to-repeat-2005-miracle/story-e6frexnr-1226014399320
A HEALTHY roster, a blend of youth and experience and six players who have already tasted premiership success at the club are the factors driving a new level of confidence in the Wests Tigers camp this season.
Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Liam Fulton, Todd Payten and Chris Heighington are the survivors of the Tigers' 2005 premiership outfit.
And last night the Tigers' Big Six said they genuinely believed they had the squad to create another special piece of history.
TAB Sportsbet has the Tigers listed as $7.50 second favourites behind the Dragons at $5.50.
As they prepared for their season launch on Sydney Harbour, the Tigers stars said they were prepared to deal with the weight of public expectation - which is growing all the time.
"I think we've got enough talent in our team to win it," Marshall said. "We've got a good mix of youth and experience, we've got a great coach [Tim Sheens] and I think this year if we were ever due, it's definitely it."
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Marshall said the bond between the players who won the 2005 title was a huge benefit and is a relationship seen at few clubs.
"I can't speak for the other clubs, but our club is close and a lot like family," said Marshall, voted the world's best player last year.
"We have good moments together, we almost come to blows at training, and then we make up straight away afterwards … when you're close enough to people you can do that stuff.
"We're close, not just the core group but all the players - guys like Gareth [Ellis] and Mark Flanagan all fit in. We're an enjoyable club and I think we've got the talent to [win the premiership]."
Marshall said he was happy with his own game last year, particularly during the charge through the finals, and had set himself the goal to "play above average consistently each week".
A no-nonsense Payten said: "I know personally if we don't make the grand final, it's a failure. We've got a similar squad to last year, it's not over-confidence - we've just got the belief so anything's possible.
"It's a big call but I've been around long enough to know we've got a talented squad [and] we've got the depth right through the 25- to 30-man squad who can handle first grade.
"If Robbie and Benji went down for a period of time together we might struggle, but we could deal without one of them for a while.
"In 2005 a lot of those guys were only 19 and 20 with 25 first-grade games to their name. That's not seen very often. It's no surprise now to see the guys have played 100 games together."
Payten said the players met on Monday to discuss their goals and the weight of public expectation, but was impressed with feedback from younger players.
Skipper Farah could not recall being part of such a gifted squad and has real confidence in every player getting the job done.
A quick glance through the club's roster and there are few - if any - weaknesses.
Farah said it was important to return to September football last season after four years in the wilderness but they'd gained valuable mental toughness in a few close encounters that would hold them in good stead this year.
Gibbs said much had been made about Canterbury being the "family club" but the Tigers deserved the mantle. He said: "We're the family club now. All our brothers are here and when it comes down to it, we're one big family."
Heighington said the Tigers had to start well, rather than rely on finishing with a wet sail.
Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 02, 2011
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tigers-ready-to-repeat-2005-miracle/story-e6frexnr-1226014399320
A HEALTHY roster, a blend of youth and experience and six players who have already tasted premiership success at the club are the factors driving a new level of confidence in the Wests Tigers camp this season.
Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Liam Fulton, Todd Payten and Chris Heighington are the survivors of the Tigers' 2005 premiership outfit.
And last night the Tigers' Big Six said they genuinely believed they had the squad to create another special piece of history.
TAB Sportsbet has the Tigers listed as $7.50 second favourites behind the Dragons at $5.50.
As they prepared for their season launch on Sydney Harbour, the Tigers stars said they were prepared to deal with the weight of public expectation - which is growing all the time.
"I think we've got enough talent in our team to win it," Marshall said. "We've got a good mix of youth and experience, we've got a great coach [Tim Sheens] and I think this year if we were ever due, it's definitely it."
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\
\
Marshall said the bond between the players who won the 2005 title was a huge benefit and is a relationship seen at few clubs.
"I can't speak for the other clubs, but our club is close and a lot like family," said Marshall, voted the world's best player last year.
"We have good moments together, we almost come to blows at training, and then we make up straight away afterwards … when you're close enough to people you can do that stuff.
"We're close, not just the core group but all the players - guys like Gareth [Ellis] and Mark Flanagan all fit in. We're an enjoyable club and I think we've got the talent to [win the premiership]."
Marshall said he was happy with his own game last year, particularly during the charge through the finals, and had set himself the goal to "play above average consistently each week".
A no-nonsense Payten said: "I know personally if we don't make the grand final, it's a failure. We've got a similar squad to last year, it's not over-confidence - we've just got the belief so anything's possible.
"It's a big call but I've been around long enough to know we've got a talented squad [and] we've got the depth right through the 25- to 30-man squad who can handle first grade.
"If Robbie and Benji went down for a period of time together we might struggle, but we could deal without one of them for a while.
"In 2005 a lot of those guys were only 19 and 20 with 25 first-grade games to their name. That's not seen very often. It's no surprise now to see the guys have played 100 games together."
Payten said the players met on Monday to discuss their goals and the weight of public expectation, but was impressed with feedback from younger players.
Skipper Farah could not recall being part of such a gifted squad and has real confidence in every player getting the job done.
A quick glance through the club's roster and there are few - if any - weaknesses.
Farah said it was important to return to September football last season after four years in the wilderness but they'd gained valuable mental toughness in a few close encounters that would hold them in good stead this year.
Gibbs said much had been made about Canterbury being the "family club" but the Tigers deserved the mantle. He said: "We're the family club now. All our brothers are here and when it comes down to it, we're one big family."
Heighington said the Tigers had to start well, rather than rely on finishing with a wet sail.
