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The Mole’s NRL season previews:
Rebuilding Wests Tigers not yet finals material
By The Mole
2501/2021Wests Tigers fans are getting used to their team underachieving in recent years - will a raft of changes see things improve?
RECRUITMENT: Coach Michael Maguire has seen the need for a cleanout, getting rid of 11 experienced players. But will the new recruits be any better? Only Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), James Roberts (Souths) and James Tamou (Panthers) have had much top-grade experience and 2021 shapes as a rebuilding year.
Former Panthers captain James Tamou.
STRENGTHS: After blooding plenty of young talent over the past 18 months and adding some good up-and-comers, Maguire has plenty of depth in his squad that should see the Tigers through a long campaign.WEAKNESSES: Attack was a problem last year and losing boom hooker Harry Grant won’t help in this department. The Tigers averaged the third-fewest metres per carry in the NRL and will need to find more penetration - especially up the middle.
MAN UNDER PRESSURE: There’s no doubting the ability of Joseph Leilua as a dynamic ball runner, but he can also be a boofhead and rival coaches have identified him as a weak link because of his ability to be baited. Needs to cut the crap out of his game and play football - and he’ll shine if he does.
ONE TO WATCH: Leilua’s ‘little’ brother Luciano was one of the most improved players in the comp last year. A giant of a man with good leg speed, he’s a genuine game-breaker who should only improve in 2021.
Joey Leilua. (Getty)
WHAT THE BOOKIES SAY: To win comp $41, to make finals $3.68 (via Sportsbet)WHAT MOLEY SAYS: On their day, the Tigers have the ability to match and beat any team in the game. Sadly in recent seasons, their day has only come once a month or so - and that pattern looks like repeating this year. Not quite finals ready.
Reply - The Pattern emerges again we hear nothing about the WT for weeks now this assumption and the reports on Momo wanting out, runs in 3’s what next this week?
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@tigerbuck63 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
WEAKNESSES: Attack was a problem last year
Actually, we were 7th overall in tries scored. Our attack was not a problem.
Our defence in the middle was the issue.
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I think the $3.68 to make the 8 is enticing. If we can somehow get Jet and BJ firing and the forwards aim up, which I think they will with our additions there, we can finally break the drought.
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@fibrodreaming said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@tigerbuck63 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
WEAKNESSES: Attack was a problem last year
Actually, we were 7th overall in tries scored. Our attack was not a problem.
Our defence in the middle was the issue.
7th ,typical of statistics not giving real facts,like a massive score against Donkeys,and lower sides.What was our attack like against top 8 sides?
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@sleeve said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
7th ,typical of statistics not giving real facts,like a massive score against Donkeys,and lower sides.What was our attack like against top 8 sides?
Were we the only side last season to have a blow out win against a lower side ?
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@fibrodreaming said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@sleeve said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
7th ,typical of statistics not giving real facts,like a massive score against Donkeys,and lower sides.What was our attack like against top 8 sides?
Were we the only side last season to have a blow out win against a lower side ?
Itake your point and you are right.What i should have said ,It’s about scoring tries when you need to,that is important.
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a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing madden -
@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenShame Benji never had the same effect on the top teams.And your statement that Madge has no interest in Madden,is that your perception,knowledge ? or just a guess ? please tell .
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@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenYou are obviously young,and your opinion of Benji is admirable.Hope you have a thick skin.UP THE TIGERS!
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@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenDaily telegraph reporting madden is in line to play 5/8 round one. The article referring to him as “cronk jr.”
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@leichardt99 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenDaily telegraph reporting madden is in line to play 5/8 round one. The article referring to him as “cronk jr.”
A positive article from the DT? Maybe they are trying to put the mock on Madden.
Either way I’m glad they didn’t refer to him as the next Mitch Moses or do u have to be retired to be a “next”? -
@tigerwould said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@leichardt99 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenDaily telegraph reporting madden is in line to play 5/8 round one. The article referring to him as “cronk jr.”
A positive article from the DT? Or are they trying to put the mock on Madden
No clue don’t have a subscription but seems does seem like one of the rare pro tigers posts. “He’s been likened to Cooper Cronk and now this rookie Tiger is set to earn a chance to make his own mark in the NRL.”
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@leichardt99 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenDaily telegraph reporting madden is in line to play 5/8 round one. The article referring to him as “cronk jr.”
The DT loves a good prediction. Brooks was meant to be the next Joey Johns and Brodie Croft was going to be better than Cooper Cronk. I wonder how much that plays with their heads.
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@aj1 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@leichardt99 said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenDaily telegraph reporting madden is in line to play 5/8 round one. The article referring to him as “cronk jr.”
The DT loves a good prediction. Brooks was meant to be the next Joey Johns and Brodie Croft was going to be better than Cooper Cronk. I wonder how much that plays with their heads.
Good news is no-one reads the articles cause they cost as much as a gym membership
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@sleeve said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
@joelcainenumber1fan said in The Mole - Tigers 2021 Season:
a lot of those tries came from benji destroying bottom teams though which he can do
this year with no benji brooks better step it up or we wont score any points cause mcguire seems to have no intrests at all in playing maddenYou are obviously young,and your opinion of Benji is admirable.Hope you have a thick skin.UP THE TIGERS!
i’m not young ive been around the tigers board since 2003 (i’m only a year of 40)
and last years benji was not good imo
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