Wests Why?: Tigers Lacking Brillance in 2011

[azsportza]

It’s been fairly obvious this year to not only the Wests Tigers fans but also League fans in general. That in 2011 one of the form team of 2010 in the Wests Tigers have been missing something this season. This year the Tigers have been hit with injuries and critical ones at that. Key injuries to winger Lote Tuqiri and centre Chris Lawrence have impacted the Tigers more so then it would any other NRL club. The left side attack of the Wests Tigers was what got them to the 2010 finals series thanks to the stylings of Lote and Lawrence.

However in 2011 Chris injured his hip at Campbelltown Stadium in Round 3 when the Tigers defeated the Raiders 34-24. At this stage it looks likely he won’t be returning for the finals if the Tigers manage to make it that far. As for dual international Lote Tuqiri he returned to the field in 2011 at Leichhardt Oval after firstly breaking his forearm. But his comeback was short lived only lasting 7 minutes before injuring his knee in their 17-16 win over the Newcastle Knights.

The Wests Tigers have had to adjust to these key injuries but attempting to shift the attack to fill in winger in Matt Utai and centre Mitch Brown/ Blake Ayshford, however it had not be overly successful. Although I had not been the biggest fan of Utai his injury cost him 4 weeks on the sideline and he is expected to return in round 18 against the Parramatta in the first of the two clashes with the Tigers on the run to the finals.

The key to the Tigers poor season this year I would have to say is that of our winger and centre as in 2010 it was made something special, whether it was from the scrum base which features Lote running down the sideline in the 2011 NRL promo video or if it’s Wade McKinnon linking with Lawrence and then getting it Lote to sprint away for points. It can be side the Tigers have a massive chance to turn their season around, as they sit currently on the edges of the top 8 in 7th spot on the ladder on 18 points.

If you compare Round 17 in 2010 to now, there is a big difference.

As it stands in 2011, the Tigers are 5 matches behind the competition leaders the Melbourne Storm, they need to turn their season around now. They have a tough run home with 3 of their remaining 9 matches away from home (Full list of remaining games can be found here). Next week they face the Eels are Parramatta Stadium and last time we witnessed this clash it was at the same ground and the Tigers lucked a 2 point win, 18-20 with Luke Burt missing the penalty goal from 30 metres out. The Tigers will see the return of Benji Marshall from injury and that is key to getting there season back on track.

 

[Borat.]

captain obvious

 

[MacDougall]

Word is that we'll have all hands on deck for the Parra game, including Payten and Lawrence. Also there really isn't that much of a difference in performance compared to last year. Last year we had happened to get away with two wins we shouldn't have and this year we've lost a couple we might have won. For, against, differential are very much the same. Also even if we were on 22 this year, we would only be in 6th not 3rd like last year.

There is nothing to be alarmed about imo. The teams below and around us have mostly been at full potential (considering improvement is unlikely due to season ending injuries as opposed to our players returning) and we have been in second gear. We're about to receive our left side attack back and we'll streak the field. Just watch, the Tigers will come good.

 

[Vic Mackey]

pretty sure its lawrence, benji and utai back this week

then payten and lote in round 20

that would mean only dwyer and daniela on the injury list and only dwyer from our best 17

still someone will probably roll an ankle at training and then someone break a bone in the first 5 mins of the parra game. cant remember the last game we got through unscathed...has their been one this year?

 

[Fordy20]

Massive difference? 2 more losses, 19 points less scored and 18 points less conceded. So with our injury toll and massive internal issues with morale our defence is actually better (albeit marginally) and our attack is marginally worse. If anything, it shows those people saying our season is over are being massive overdramatic.

Pretty pictures though and a some text that looks like it's supposed to be a link... where was this article from again?

 

[bubblesunlimited]

Todd is back this week if selected. He has been training the house down.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

But Marshall and Fulton may be missing

WESTS Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall is facing a significant battle to be fit for the club's crucial Friday night clash against Parramatta.​

Marshall, who injured his knee in the club's clash against Melbourne in round 15, returned to training yesterday after being given some time off last week, with the Tigers having the bye in round 17.​

Marshall was expected to return against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium but was only able to complete minimal training yesterday, and the Herald understands he is only fifty-fifty to play. It was unclear last night whether the Tigers would name Marshall, and then give him every chance of making his return, or play it safe and rule him out today. The club would be desperate for Marshall to return quickly from his medial ligament strain, given the Tigers looked out of sorts against the Bulldogs last start. But they will also be reluctant to risk him as they will not want him aggravating the injury.​

The Tigers may also be without forward Liam Fulton, who is in doubt following a number of head knocks.​

Here: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-for-tigers-20110704-1gz7l.html#ixzz1RAzsyDIP​

With Dwyer and Fulton out, I really like the idea of bubbles mate Todd being ready to return, an old head and an experienced guy is what we need for the rest of the year. He no doubt will lift for his last games as a Tiger player.​

If Marshall is out, it will be very interesting to see what Sheens does with Lui and Miller. Hopefully, what we see is Miller getting his hands on the ball more and they utilise his kicking game before Lui's ;-)​

 

[Tiger Hawk]

They have a tough run home with 3 of their remaining 9 matches away from home (Full list of remaining games can be found here).

Eh? 5 of our remaining 9 are away and 4 are at home (although 2 at SFS).

I'm quietly confident, IF we get as many troops back as possible. We've got the Eels twice, Cowboys away, Roosters at LO, Sea Eagles at Gosford (neutral), Dragons, Panthers, Titans and Sharks. Of those teams, only the Dragons game worries me. A line-up of:

1. McKinnon
2. Utai
3. Lawrence
4. Ayshford
5. Tuqiri
6. Marshall
7. Lui (pains me to say it)
8. Gibbs
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Ellis
12. Payten
13. Heighington

14. Moltzen
15. Fifita
16. Woods
17. Fulton

Is damn strong, even without Dwyer (and you could say it's better defensively).

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Marshall will not play. Bet your house on it. And if he does, he will not be 100% and will probably risk re-injuring himself.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

As long as he only misses one more game, there's still 8 left and we could easily win 6 of those.

But now that KG is playing tomorrow night I'm sure he'll pick up an injury.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

We will not beat the Eels without Benji.

 

[madunit]

It’s been fairly obvious this year to not only the Wests Tigers fans but also League fans in general. That in 2011 one of the form team of 2010 in the Wests Tigers have been missing something this season. This year the Tigers have been hit with injuries and critical ones at that. Key injuries to winger Lote Tuqiri and centre Chris Lawrence have impacted the Tigers more so then it would any other NRL club. The left side attack of the Wests Tigers was what got them to the 2010 finals series thanks to the stylings of Lote and Lawrence.

However in 2011 Chris injured his hip at Campbelltown Stadium in Round 3 when the Tigers defeated the Raiders 34-24. At this stage it looks likely he won’t be returning for the finals if the Tigers manage to make it that far. As for dual international Lote Tuqiri he returned to the field in 2011 at Leichhardt Oval after firstly breaking his forearm. But his comeback was short lived only lasting 7 minutes before injuring his knee in their 17-16 win over the Newcastle Knights.

The Wests Tigers have had to adjust to these key injuries but attempting to shift the attack to fill in winger in Matt Utai and centre Mitch Brown/ Blake Ayshford, however it had not be overly successful. Although I had not been the biggest fan of Utai his injury cost him 4 weeks on the sideline and he is expected to return in round 18 against the Parramatta in the first of the two clashes with the Tigers on the run to the finals.

The key to the Tigers poor season this year I would have to say is that of our winger and centre as in 2010 it was made something special, whether it was from the scrum base which features Lote running down the sideline in the 2011 NRL promo video or if it’s Wade McKinnon linking with Lawrence and then getting it Lote to sprint away for points. It can be side the Tigers have a massive chance to turn their season around, as they sit currently on the edges of the top 8 in 7th spot on the ladder on 18 points.

If you compare Round 17 in 2010 to now, there is a big difference.

As it stands in 2011, the Tigers are 5 matches behind the competition leaders the Melbourne Storm, they need to turn their season around now. They have a tough run home with 3 of their remaining 9 matches away from home (Full list of remaining games can be found here). Next week they face the Eels are Parramatta Stadium and last time we witnessed this clash it was at the same ground and the Tigers lucked a 2 point win, 18-20 with Luke Burt missing the penalty goal from 30 metres out. The Tigers will see the return of Benji Marshall from injury and that is key to getting there season back on track.

might pay to do some better research before writing your articles.

Lawrence and Marshall are expected to be back this weekend at best and next weekend at worst.

Last year we had a fortunate run at the end of the year and were barely affected by injury.

This year we've been riddled with injuries, and have had management destroy the clubs remaining morale by shipping players off key to the unity of the team.

 

[azsportza]

Massive difference? 2 more losses, 19 points less scored and 18 points less conceded. So with our injury toll and massive internal issues with morale our defence is actually better (albeit marginally) and our attack is marginally worse. If anything, it shows those people saying our season is over are being massive overdramatic.

Pretty pictures though and a some text that looks like it's supposed to be a link... where was this article from again?

Article? It's a blog post from my site, and it seems I am not allow to post links to it, so I just post it here !

 

[madunit]

send a PM to Twizzle and ask if you can post links to it.

 

[b.bear]

captain obvious

Agreed , waste of time....

we are tigers fans we know this Sh*t go tell it to another forum ....

 

[Tiger Hawk]

We will not beat the Eels without Benji.

Bullshit. That Eels team is shit:

1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Luke Burt
3. Ryan Morgan
4. Ben Smith
5. Jordan Atkins
6. Casey McGuire
7. Jeff Robson
8. Tim Mannah
9. Matt Keating
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (C)
12. Taniela Lasalo
13. Justin Horo
Interchange: 15. Shane Shackleton 16. Mitchell Allgood 17. Manase Manuokafoa 20. Reni Maitua

How Manuokafoa is still getting a run in firsts is beyond me. Even without Benji.

 

[Fordy20]

Article? It's a blog post from my site, and it seems I am not allow to post links to it, so I just post it here !

Ah! Now it makes sense!

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Bullshit. That Eels team is shit:

So are the Bulldogs and that didn't stop them, did it?

Nor did it stop the Roosters, Titans and Souths - along with the Dogs all are amongst the worst sides in the comp this season and we've lost to all of them.

Face it, we make shit teams look good, and without Benji we will do the same on Friday night.

 

[R2Coupe]

So are the Bulldogs and that didn't stop them, did it?

Nor did it stop the Roosters, Titans and Souths - along with the Dogs all are amongst the worst sides in the comp this season and we've lost to all of them.

Face it, we make shit teams look good, and without Benji we will do the same on Friday night.

That is hardly balanced comment noting injuries. Add Lawrence, Tuqiri and switch Brown to f/b and some of the results may have been different.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Exactly, I've said in a couple other threads we'd used 30 players by round 13 - bit hard to have consistency and combinations when the side's changing week to week.

Not to mention we took the Storm and Dragons the distance, despite missing several key players.

We'll come good, for the first time over the past few years I'm actually feeling rather positive about our remaining games. If we can get our best 17 on the park more often than not, I firmly believe we'll win.