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2020 Season Preview

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2020 Preview: Wests Tigers
Andrew Ferguson | March 5 2020 12:55PM


2019 was a season full of the same old stories for the Wests Tigers - a new coach, had a chance to reach the finals but failed to win the games that mattered, threw away games, the odd capitulation, the odd upset victory and ultimately, finishing ninth.

2020 though presents something new for Tigers fans. A club content with it's coach. This season though contains many hurdles for the black, orange and white - most of all the burden of having so much of their salary cap tied up in players either injured or not performing well enough to warrant NRL selection. There's also a key issue that the club failed to address: replacing hooker Robbie Farah.

It looks to be the final season of enigmatic club legend Benji Marshall, whose game last year was the best it's been in almost a decade. Coach Michael Maguire has put plenty of faith in young players, especially in the forwards, showing that he is building for the future.

Once space starts to free up in the cap, Wests Tigers could be on the hunt for a few players with X-factor and that extra class.

Why they'll win it
Much like in 2005 when they won their maiden (and only) title - they'll catch everyone off guard with a side largely made up of youngsters - and Benji Marshall.

Almost the entire squad will be under 30 years of age at the start of the year, with Benji, Chris Lawrence and Josh Reynolds the exceptions to the rule.

Why they won't
Several reasons - there's very few genuine X-factor's within the side, their spine is close to one of the weakest in the game, as is their depth up front.

While the Tigers halves of Benji and Luke Brooks are set and one of the better halves combinations in the game, the Tigers will have a makeshift fullback in new recruit Adam Doueihi and are also planning on turning five-eighth Josh Reynolds into a rake while the club awaits the return of the unfortunately injury-prone but very talented Jacob Liddle.

2020 draw
Despite finishing ninth in 2019 and one win away from a finals berth, only 3 of their 11 victories came against sides who finished above them on the ladder. Luckily for them though, their opening 4 games in 2020 are against sides who finished below them last year and by Round 7 they will have played just 1 top 8 side from 2019, and 6 of the bottom 7 sides.

They also get the luxury of playing top sides around the Origin period, while their final 3 games will be against sides that finished in the bottom 5 in 2019.

They can't complain too much.

6bYkyoQ.png


Key players
Josh Reynolds - he will have the hooking duties and will have a tough assignment. Learning the new role, the extra defensive workload and steering a rookie forward pack around. If he struggles, the Tigers could well have a very flat year, especially given there are no alternative options available until Liddle is fit.

Benji Marshall - Had a brilliant 2019 campaign, earning selection in the test side after a 7 year absence. With Farah gone and a makeshift hooker in his place, Benji will have extra playmaking duties on his hands in 2020. A role he will be more than comfortable with.

Adam Doueihi - Made a solid start to his career, playing 15 games for Souths in 2018 and again in 2019. He will be looking to cement the fullback position, as he's spent much of his career thus far playing all over the backline. AT Souths he played at Fullback, Wing, Centre and Halfback.

Rookies to watch
Tommy Talau - the young centre made his debut in 2019 and has big raps on him to be a long term centre option for the club. The injury to Paul Momirovski opens the door for him to start the season at centre, depending on who plays at fullback. Has plenty of size, power and speed and could be a real weapon out wide.

Sam McIntyre - the big back rower had a big year in the Intrust Super Premiership last season and is set to be pushing for a spot in the Tigers 17, especially given their lack of forward depth.

Player movement

New signings for 2020
: Billy Walters (Storm), Luciano Leilua (Dragons), Zane Musgrove (held over from 2019), Joey Leilua (Raiders), Adam Doueihi (Rabbitohs)

Contracted for 2020: Josh Aloiai, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Oliver Clark, Matt Eisenhuth, Luke Garner, Robert Jennings, Chris Lawrence, Jacob Liddle, Benji Marshall, Moses Mbye, Sam McIntyre, Chris McQueen, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, David Nofoaluma, Russell Packer, Josh Reynolds, Alex Seyfarth, Dylan Smith, Tommy Talau, Elijah Taylor, Corey Thompson, Alex Twal

2020 Development contracts: Kane Bradley, Zac Cini, Reece Hoffman, Jock Madden, Jake Simpkin

Losses: Mahe Fonua (Hull FC), Robbie Farah, Ben Matulino & Robbie Rochow (retired), Esan Marsters (Cowboys), Ryan Matterson (Eels)

Best 17
1. Moses Mbye
2. Corey Thompson
3. Paul Momirovski
4. Joey Leilua
5. Robert Jennings
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Alex Twal
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Thomas Mikaele
11. Luke Garner
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Matt Eisenhuth

14. Michael Chee-Kam
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Luciano Leilua
17. Josh Reynolds

SOURCE: https://leagueunlimited.com/news/34425-2020-preview-wests-tigers/
 

Tigerm

First Grade
Messages
8,897
2020 Preview: Wests Tigers
Andrew Ferguson | March 5 2020 12:55PM


2019 was a season full of the same old stories for the Wests Tigers - a new coach, had a chance to reach the finals but failed to win the games that mattered, threw away games, the odd capitulation, the odd upset victory and ultimately, finishing ninth.

2020 though presents something new for Tigers fans. A club content with it's coach. This season though contains many hurdles for the black, orange and white - most of all the burden of having so much of their salary cap tied up in players either injured or not performing well enough to warrant NRL selection. There's also a key issue that the club failed to address: replacing hooker Robbie Farah.

It looks to be the final season of enigmatic club legend Benji Marshall, whose game last year was the best it's been in almost a decade. Coach Michael Maguire has put plenty of faith in young players, especially in the forwards, showing that he is building for the future.

Once space starts to free up in the cap, Wests Tigers could be on the hunt for a few players with X-factor and that extra class.

Why they'll win it
Much like in 2005 when they won their maiden (and only) title - they'll catch everyone off guard with a side largely made up of youngsters - and Benji Marshall.

Almost the entire squad will be under 30 years of age at the start of the year, with Benji, Chris Lawrence and Josh Reynolds the exceptions to the rule.

Why they won't
Several reasons - there's very few genuine X-factor's within the side, their spine is close to one of the weakest in the game, as is their depth up front.

While the Tigers halves of Benji and Luke Brooks are set and one of the better halves combinations in the game, the Tigers will have a makeshift fullback in new recruit Adam Doueihi and are also planning on turning five-eighth Josh Reynolds into a rake while the club awaits the return of the unfortunately injury-prone but very talented Jacob Liddle.

2020 draw
Despite finishing ninth in 2019 and one win away from a finals berth, only 3 of their 11 victories came against sides who finished above them on the ladder. Luckily for them though, their opening 4 games in 2020 are against sides who finished below them last year and by Round 7 they will have played just 1 top 8 side from 2019, and 6 of the bottom 7 sides.

They also get the luxury of playing top sides around the Origin period, while their final 3 games will be against sides that finished in the bottom 5 in 2019.

They can't complain too much.

6bYkyoQ.png


Key players
Josh Reynolds - he will have the hooking duties and will have a tough assignment. Learning the new role, the extra defensive workload and steering a rookie forward pack around. If he struggles, the Tigers could well have a very flat year, especially given there are no alternative options available until Liddle is fit.

Benji Marshall - Had a brilliant 2019 campaign, earning selection in the test side after a 7 year absence. With Farah gone and a makeshift hooker in his place, Benji will have extra playmaking duties on his hands in 2020. A role he will be more than comfortable with.

Adam Doueihi - Made a solid start to his career, playing 15 games for Souths in 2018 and again in 2019. He will be looking to cement the fullback position, as he's spent much of his career thus far playing all over the backline. AT Souths he played at Fullback, Wing, Centre and Halfback.

Rookies to watch
Tommy Talau - the young centre made his debut in 2019 and has big raps on him to be a long term centre option for the club. The injury to Paul Momirovski opens the door for him to start the season at centre, depending on who plays at fullback. Has plenty of size, power and speed and could be a real weapon out wide.

Sam McIntyre - the big back rower had a big year in the Intrust Super Premiership last season and is set to be pushing for a spot in the Tigers 17, especially given their lack of forward depth.

Player movement

New signings for 2020
: Billy Walters (Storm), Luciano Leilua (Dragons), Zane Musgrove (held over from 2019), Joey Leilua (Raiders), Adam Doueihi (Rabbitohs)

Contracted for 2020: Josh Aloiai, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Oliver Clark, Matt Eisenhuth, Luke Garner, Robert Jennings, Chris Lawrence, Jacob Liddle, Benji Marshall, Moses Mbye, Sam McIntyre, Chris McQueen, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, David Nofoaluma, Russell Packer, Josh Reynolds, Alex Seyfarth, Dylan Smith, Tommy Talau, Elijah Taylor, Corey Thompson, Alex Twal

2020 Development contracts: Kane Bradley, Zac Cini, Reece Hoffman, Jock Madden, Jake Simpkin

Losses: Mahe Fonua (Hull FC), Robbie Farah, Ben Matulino & Robbie Rochow (retired), Esan Marsters (Cowboys), Ryan Matterson (Eels)

Best 17
1. Moses Mbye
2. Corey Thompson
3. Paul Momirovski
4. Joey Leilua
5. Robert Jennings
6. Benji Marshall
7. Luke Brooks
8. Alex Twal
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Thomas Mikaele
11. Luke Garner
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Matt Eisenhuth

14. Michael Chee-Kam
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Luciano Leilua
17. Josh Reynolds

SOURCE: https://leagueunlimited.com/news/34425-2020-preview-wests-tigers/
Ouch, the truth is a bugger isn't it, (though I don't agree with some of this) but we will overcome:)
 
Last edited:

Tiger05

First Grade
Messages
9,162
We get a good draw. We have a good young forward pack and we look decent in the outside backs even if we lack real pace out wide. Our halves are pretty good. Our problem is at fullback and hooker. Will Doueihi or Thompson solve our fullback spot ? Who will fill the 9 role and how will they go ?

I reckon we look better and we have some options at fullback and 9 but we just have to see how we go.
 

Vic Mackey

Referee
Messages
24,488
Mbye at fullback, no Doueihi and one prop on the bench is fairly laughable. Plus having a guy starting who will miss the first 16-18 weeks minimum.

As others have said I feel our draw is a huge advantage. Sure you never know who’s going to be good or bad, but we’ve been looked after:

*The 2 teams we’ve always struggled against Brisbane and Roosters we get once

*Storm once and it’s without their origin players

* Rabbits at Leichhardt and then 3 days after origin 3

* manly taken their home game against us to central coast

* The big road trips are Cowboys who we always beat, warriors who look horrible, last years wooden spooners and then Storm but without their origin players

I did the ladder predictor last night, feel I was fair ( had us losing to Eels and Raiders twice, Roosters, Souths once and other ones like knights away, dogs once cause we always do etc) and had us finishing equal 5th/6th.

Obvioulsy that could all turn to shit, but we really have no excuses this year.
 
Messages
3,320
Our depth seems to of approved this season, but the question remains whether JR and BW can cover the #9 role for a full season , especially if Harry doesn’t arrive from the Storm or Liddle doesn’t recover from his injury.
 

WA Tiger

Bench
Messages
4,348
Mbye at fullback, no Doueihi and one prop on the bench is fairly laughable. Plus having a guy starting who will miss the first 16-18 weeks minimum.

As others have said I feel our draw is a huge advantage. Sure you never know who’s going to be good or bad, but we’ve been looked after:

*The 2 teams we’ve always struggled against Brisbane and Roosters we get once

*Storm once and it’s without their origin players

* Rabbits at Leichhardt and then 3 days after origin 3

* manly taken their home game against us to central coast

* The big road trips are Cowboys who we always beat, warriors who look horrible, last years wooden spooners and then Storm but without their origin players

I did the ladder predictor last night, feel I was fair ( had us losing to Eels and Raiders twice, Roosters, Souths once and other ones like knights away, dogs once cause we always do etc) and had us finishing equal 5th/6th.

Obvioulsy that could all turn to shit, but we really have no excuses this year.
That’s a first time someone or thing has predicted good things for us...5th of 6th No one else has.Must be a computer coz it’s doesn’t seem fashionable
 
Last edited:

Fordy20

Juniors
Messages
2,162
Great article. Hard to argue with anything in it apart from the controversial Best 17, although you can see how the author arrived at the list printed. Momirovski and Leilua are far and away our best centre pairing and the rest of the side seems to be built around that along with fitting the big names and new signings into the side.
 

BrotherJim05

Bench
Messages
3,399
I don't pay too much attention to articles about the Tigers squad. Journos don't really pay too much attention to us and why should they? We are still rebuilding so unless you have been following closely its hard to predict what Madge will do with the squad.

If we can sign Harry Grant, develop AD into a brilliant fullback and hopefully move Packer on and sign an experienced middle forward to come in and lead the pack then we will be genuine finals footy team
 

WA Tiger

Bench
Messages
4,348
No mention of Joey Leilua in the “why we can win” or “Key players” or anything..maybe he’s a friend of Ricky Stewart..How can he even get paid for that load of rubbish...He’s got one thing right though we will catch everyone off guard..
 
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