http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26468230-5018866,00.html
The smell of liniment and turf stains was still fresh when Robbie Farah turned to his coach after Wests Tigers' round 26 victory over the Bulldogs last season.
"We got back into the dressingrooms and I went straight up to Tim and said, 'I wish 2010 started tomorrow'," Farah recalled on Thursday.
"That's how pumped I was.
"I can't remember being this excited about any season since my NRL debut."
The Tigers skipper is not ashamed to admit he has entered previous campaigns with trepidation. And he's also not ashamed to admit those doubts sprang from concerns about a playing roster that has been stagnant since the 2005 premiership.
But thanks to a recruitment blitz, Farah is now bouncing. The team's coat is thick with depth in the backline and size up-front. Leaving aside the impending signature of Lote Tuqiri, the Tigers have already lured Jason Cayless, Arana Taumata, Junior Moors, Geoff Daniela, Daniel Fitzhenry and Liam Fulton to the club next year.
It's no wonder Sheens had little hesitation in declaring next season's list the strongest since he assumed the coaching reins seven years ago.
"Ask Tim, this is the first year I haven't been nagging him about signing some new players. The recruitment has always been a concern for me and to tell you the truth, that's why I was negotiating with the Gold Coast (last season)," Farah said.
"If you asked me before the last couple of years, I'd have to honestly say we were treading water and not moving in the direction I would've liked.
"We lost so many players after 2005 and it was a thing I thought about a lot. But it's not a concern now. I can't wait. Towards the end of last year everyone started moving in the right direction. We won six games straight and gave ourselves a chance to make the finals.
"We made a goal for the last third of the season to be consistent and we achieved that.
"It was disappointing to miss out on the finals, but the positive thing was how we finished."
English import Gareth Ellis, who only arrived back from the Four Nations on Wednesday, also expects to lift after his debut season.
"This time last year it was an unknown for me," said Ellis, voted the Tigers' best in 2009.
"This year I know what I can do. I've got different expectations of myself."
Although ive been bent over the last 4 seasons, i am also excited.
The smell of liniment and turf stains was still fresh when Robbie Farah turned to his coach after Wests Tigers' round 26 victory over the Bulldogs last season.
"We got back into the dressingrooms and I went straight up to Tim and said, 'I wish 2010 started tomorrow'," Farah recalled on Thursday.
"That's how pumped I was.
"I can't remember being this excited about any season since my NRL debut."
The Tigers skipper is not ashamed to admit he has entered previous campaigns with trepidation. And he's also not ashamed to admit those doubts sprang from concerns about a playing roster that has been stagnant since the 2005 premiership.
But thanks to a recruitment blitz, Farah is now bouncing. The team's coat is thick with depth in the backline and size up-front. Leaving aside the impending signature of Lote Tuqiri, the Tigers have already lured Jason Cayless, Arana Taumata, Junior Moors, Geoff Daniela, Daniel Fitzhenry and Liam Fulton to the club next year.
It's no wonder Sheens had little hesitation in declaring next season's list the strongest since he assumed the coaching reins seven years ago.
"Ask Tim, this is the first year I haven't been nagging him about signing some new players. The recruitment has always been a concern for me and to tell you the truth, that's why I was negotiating with the Gold Coast (last season)," Farah said.
"If you asked me before the last couple of years, I'd have to honestly say we were treading water and not moving in the direction I would've liked.
"We lost so many players after 2005 and it was a thing I thought about a lot. But it's not a concern now. I can't wait. Towards the end of last year everyone started moving in the right direction. We won six games straight and gave ourselves a chance to make the finals.
"We made a goal for the last third of the season to be consistent and we achieved that.
"It was disappointing to miss out on the finals, but the positive thing was how we finished."
English import Gareth Ellis, who only arrived back from the Four Nations on Wednesday, also expects to lift after his debut season.
"This time last year it was an unknown for me," said Ellis, voted the Tigers' best in 2009.
"This year I know what I can do. I've got different expectations of myself."
Although ive been bent over the last 4 seasons, i am also excited.
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