2010 IS SET TO BE 'THE YEAR OF THE TIGER'
By Wayne Cousins
Friday, 1 January 2010
Wests Tigers will be hoping 2010 really is the Year of the Tiger.
The Chinese New Year in February marks 2010 as the year of the tiger and for the Wests Tigers, it is well and truly shaping up to be a very exciting season.
Wests Tigers has recruited very strongly in props Jason Cayless and Junior Moors, half-back Arana Taumata, centres Geoff Daniela and Mitch Brown, winger Tame Tupou and the return of 2005 premiership winning players in lock Liam Fulton and utility Daniel Fitzhenry.
Then theres internationals Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall and the worlds best second-rower in Gareth Ellis who will again hook up with established Keith Galloway, Todd Payten, Chris Heighington, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Lawrence, Tim Moltzen, the destructive Taniela Tuiaki and quality backs in Blake Ayshford, Robert Lui and Beau Ryan.
On top of this, the NRL squad contains several very promising youngsters in props Andrew Fifita and Aaron Woods, pointscoring machine Jake Mullaney, hard-working lock Matt Hyland, talented second-rowers Jason Schirnack and David Fifita, and big utility Junior Roqica just to name a few.
Overseeing all of this talent is none other than Australian coach Tim Sheens and his hard working coaching staff of Royce Simmons and Peter Gentle.
Members and supporters wont have to wait much longer to get their first taste of the team for 2010 with the trials just a few weeks away.
The first hit-out is in Mackay on Friday night, February 12, against the North Queensland Cowboys.
A week later, Wests Tigers will tackle the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium in the annual Foundation Cup on the weekend of February 20/21.
Wests Tigers then finish their preparations with a trial match against Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday, February 27, as part of a double header.
And then its into an opening round blockbuster against Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium on Monday, March 15.
The SFS will host three games in 2010 with the SCG hosting the annual blockbuster against South Sydney.
Four big matches will each be played at the traditional home grounds of Campbelltown Stadium and Leichhardt Oval, an increase of one each from previous seasons.
Wests Tigers Administration re-opens at Concord Oval on Monday, January 11 at 9am along with the membership office and Merchandise Shop. Wests Tigers call on all supporters to become a vital part of their club by becoming a paid member in 2010.
And dont forget to visit Wests Tigers Gearzone at Brands on Sale Shopping Complex, 32 Queen Street, Campbelltown or call (02) 4626 3506.
2010 is here Go Wests Tigers. Bring it on!!!
