WESTS Tigers Team V St George

[Tigerdon]

I'm scared. This game means more to us than them, we've beaten them already once, we are in close to best form, they've got the worst form of all season, we start as favourites, we are getting troops back and they've got a couple of guns injured- it all looks one way.

And we are at Leichhardt

Will the Myth continue or will the hoodoo be broken, being at Leichhardt means nothing anymore .

Which ground has our highest winning percentage ?

 

[innsaneink]

Ivan has been giving Jacob Liddle a run in the past couple of games but it's hard to see who would drop out of that side to allow Jacob in. Close to our strongest team.

We need the win…keep Robbie on for the full 80....

And if Farah gets hurt?

:question:

It happens in footy… Cant be helped

 

[upthetigers]

Ivan has been giving Jacob Liddle a run in the past couple of games but it's hard to see who would drop out of that side to allow Jacob in. Close to our strongest team.

We need the win…keep Robbie on for the full 80....

And if Farah gets hurt?

:question:

Was still one of the Blues best players with a dud shoulder. You can't stop a champion.

 

[tiger_scott]

Great looking team. Should Robbie need a rest, ET can handle a few minutes, but in a perfect world he plays 80 mins. Glad to see Garner keeping his spot - his defence has been very good.

 

[Russell]

I'm scared. This game means more to us than them, we've beaten them already once, we are in close to best form, they've got the worst form of all season, we start as favourites, we are getting troops back and they've got a couple of guns injured- it all looks one way.

And we are at Leichhardt

Will the Myth continue or will the hoodoo be broken, being at Leichhardt means nothing anymore .

Maybe not to you.

 

[Spartan117]

Close to the best team we can produce.

Man…. loosing that Dogs game is still making me so angry.

 

[happy_tiger]

Close to the best team we can produce.

Man…. loosing that Dogs game is still making me so angry.

Really though Spartan , we were never in the Dogs game

Its the games we controlled and lost that hurt more imo

Learning curve for a lot of young or WT's players , not easy when your not used to be in winning positions virtually every week

We just need to find 3 x 80 minutes performances , at least give ourselves a shot , if we get outplayed by a better side , so be it , I can live with that

But I reckon if play for 80 minutes we won't lose any of these games even if the opposition does shows up

 

[Spartan117]

**<big>Wests Tigers v Dragons: Fonua returns; Mann in No.6</big>**

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/14/wests-tigers-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-round-23-preview/

The stage is set - now it is up to the Wests Tigers to show they belong in the top eight. And you can bet your last dollar Leichhardt Oval will be a capacity crowd on Saturday night as the hosts make a bold late charge to play semi-final football.

The Tigers have won four of their past five matches, including an away win over St George Illawarra five weeks ago, to put themselves within one win of the eighth-placed Broncos.

Their opponents meanwhile are in free fall, with the Dragons losing five of their last six games after being the competition leaders heading into round 17.

**Match: Wests Tigers vs Dragons
ROUND 23 - SATURDAY 18TH AUGUST - 5:30pm
Venue: Leichhardt Oval**

Key match up: Luke Brooks v Ben Hunt. The Tigers' number seven has enjoyed his best season following his brilliant debut versus the Dragons at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2013\. Under-pressure rival playmaker Hunt needs to rise for a number of reasons - chiefly his team's alarming form ahead of the semis next month.

For the Tigers to win: Use the guile and experience of club legends Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah. The premiership-winners in 2005 have been instrumental in their team's recent success and know to keep a steely focus in clutch moments. If the pair fire, the Dragons will struggle to contain them.

For the Dragons to win: Their forward pack needs to wake from their slumber. Jack de Belin, Tyson Frizell and Tariq Sims need to re-discover their early club season and Origin form or Paul McGregor's men will be watching the finals from their lounge rooms.

Tigers Stat Attack: It is no secret Ivan Cleary's men have built their season on defence. They have made the most tackles (7426) and accumulated the most kicks (417). Esan Marsters has been a standout with 45 offloads, while Brooks has 14 line-break assists to his name.

Dragons Stat Attack: Possession has been a highlight, with the Dragons and Cowboys the equal yardstick with 52%. The Red V also lead the standings when it comes to tackle breaks (772). They trail only the Rabbitohs (33,172) when it comes to total run metres (32,874).

And another thing: If the Tigers manage to beat the out-of-sorts Dragons on home soil, they will move to 26 competition points. Tigers fans will be hoping the Rabbitohs topple the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium to set up a frenetic last couple of Telstra Premiership rounds.

TEAM LISTS
BACKS
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Nene Macdonald

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Esan Marsters
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Mahe Fonua
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Timoteo Lafai

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Kevin Naiqama
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jordan Pereira

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kurt Mann

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

FORWARDS
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Russell Packer
Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Ben Matulino
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Leeson Ah Mau

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Chris Lawrence
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Michael Chee-Kam
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack de Belin
**INTERCHANGE**
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Twal
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jeremy Latimore
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sauaso Sue
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Jacob Host
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Luke Garner
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua

**Wests Tigers Ins**
Chris Lawrence
Mahe Fonua
Robbie Rochow
Tyson Gamble

**Dragons Ins**
Darren Nicholls
Hame Sele
Jacob Host
Jai Field
Zac Lomax

**Dragons OUTS**
Gareth Widdop

Wests Tigers: Mahe Fonua returns from a broken arm in the centres, with Kevin Naiqama shifting to the wing and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak dropping out. Chris Lawrence also returns from injury in the second row with Matt Eisenhuth moving to the bench and Jacob Liddle back to the reserves.

Dragons: With Gareth Widdop (shoulder) out, Kurt Mann starts at five-eighth with Cameron McInnes and Tyson Frizell to share the captaincy. Leeson Ah Mau is named to start with Luciano Leilua on the bench with Jacob Host returning from a shoulder injury on the interchange.

Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons, Saturday 5.30pm at Leichhardt Oval
Head-to-head: Played 35; Dragons 19 wins, Wests Tigers 16 wins
Previous result: Wests Tigers won 20-16 at Jubilee Oval in round 18
Points per game: Wests Tigers 16; Dragons 22.6
Points conceded per game: Wests Tigers 17.6; Dragons 19.5

Televised: Live on Nine, Fox League

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Ivan has been giving Jacob Liddle a run in the past couple of games but it's hard to see who would drop out of that side to allow Jacob in. Close to our strongest team.

We need the win…keep Robbie on for the full 80....

And if Farah gets hurt?

:question:

Was still one of the Blues best players with a dud shoulder. You can't stop a champion.

Just warn Ivan not to make Jason T's mistake. Farah is not a dope, if he breaks something and says he can play this side only and not that side then seriously consider.

 

[innsaneink]

I'll take that bet re: capacity crowd

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

I'll take that bet re: capacity crowd

depends on how badly fans' hearts were broken for the last Titan's game

 

[happy_tiger]

The key is sending heaps of traffic at Hunt / Mann this week

 

[barra]

The key is sending heaps of traffic at Hunt / Mann this week

Well we do seem to be playing a bit smarter… last week we went to the Raiders RHS at the right times, while Leilua was in the bin. We haven't seemed to be able to manage our attacking game like that for some time.

 

[happy_tiger]

The key is sending heaps of traffic at Hunt / Mann this week

Well we do seem to be playing a bit smarter… last week we went to the Raiders RHS at the right times, while Leilua was in the bin. We haven't seemed to be able to manage our attacking game like that for some time.

Pack is still pretty damn good when you Leeson Ah Mau starting replacing Vaughn

Its the kind of pack you don't want to be handing heaps of possession , even without Widdop , and you don't won't to be forcing Hunt to run , it is his strength

From memory we have made Kurt Mann look like Brett Kenny as well in the past in the few times we have played against him

 

[barra]

The key is sending heaps of traffic at Hunt / Mann this week

Well we do seem to be playing a bit smarter… last week we went to the Raiders RHS at the right times, while Leilua was in the bin. We haven't seemed to be able to manage our attacking game like that for some time.

Pack is still pretty damn good when you Leeson Ah Mau starting replacing Vaughn

Its the kind of pack you don't want to be handing heaps of possession , even without Widdop , and you don't won't to be forcing Hunt to run , it is his strength

From memory we have made Kurt Mann look like Brett Kenny as well in the past in the few times we have played against him

Too many things to think about! Try to keep it to just two will ya?!

Hopefully with our experience now in the #6 and #9, it will help… as long as Luke doesn't come rushing out of the line and forcing Hunt's hand...

 

[happy_tiger]

The key is sending heaps of traffic at Hunt / Mann this week

Well we do seem to be playing a bit smarter… last week we went to the Raiders RHS at the right times, while Leilua was in the bin. We haven't seemed to be able to manage our attacking game like that for some time.

Pack is still pretty damn good when you Leeson Ah Mau starting replacing Vaughn

Its the kind of pack you don't want to be handing heaps of possession , even without Widdop , and you don't won't to be forcing Hunt to run , it is his strength

From memory we have made Kurt Mann look like Brett Kenny as well in the past in the few times we have played against him

Too many things to think about! Try to keep it to just two will ya?!

Hopefully with our experience now in the #6 and #9, it will help… as long as Luke doesn't come rushing out of the line and forcing Hunt's hand...

Its a huge game for the Dragons , even though this season could be the 1st time any team wins from outside the Top 4 you'd still rather be in it than out of it if possible

My biggest concern for us is having to play so many GF's week to week as well , going to be very hard keeping the intensity to where it will need to be for such a long time

But something tells me this side has a lot of steel in it , mentally pretty damn tough

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

The key is sending heaps of traffic at Hunt / Mann this week

Well we do seem to be playing a bit smarter… last week we went to the Raiders RHS at the right times, while Leilua was in the bin. We haven't seemed to be able to manage our attacking game like that for some time.

Pack is still pretty damn good when you Leeson Ah Mau starting replacing Vaughn

Its the kind of pack you don't want to be handing heaps of possession , even without Widdop , and you don't won't to be forcing Hunt to run , it is his strength

From memory we have made Kurt Mann look like Brett Kenny as well in the past in the few times we have played against him

Too many things to think about! Try to keep it to just two will ya?!

Hopefully with our experience now in the #6 and #9, it will help… as long as Luke doesn't come rushing out of the line and forcing Hunt's hand...

Could Luke be coached to do his grubbers at 45 degree angle as well as straight so as not be so predictable and give more time for chasers

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

If Nathan Cleary had the attitude of Mahe I would say grab him but he hasn't so I don't care that much about him.

 

[Geo]

WESTS TIGERS - Update

1\. Moses Mbye
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Esan Marsters
4\. Mahe Fonua
5\. Kevin Naiqama
6\. Benji Marshall (capt.)
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Russell Packer
9\. Robbie Farah
10\. Ben Matulino
11\. Chris Lawrence
12\. Michael Chee Kam
13\. Elijah Taylor

Interchange:
14\. Alex Twal
15\. Sauaso Sue
16\. Luke Garner
17\. Matt Eisenhuth
18\. Jacob Liddle (Res.)
21\. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Res.)

Coach: Ivan Cleary

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2018/08/17/nrl-team-update-round-23/

 

[innsaneink]

Gamble and McQueen -> Drop off!