Attack the key as Tigers look to solve old issues, writes Anthony Griffin
There’s no secret to where the Wests Tigers need to improve in season 2019: Attack. If they can find room to score points, they’ll go a long way to breaking their lengthy finals drought, writes Anthony Griffin.
Tigers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tigers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GRIFFIN: The Sharks can overcome problems
GRIFFIN: Big question mark over Eels roster
There’s no secret to where the Wests Tigers need to improve in season 2019: Attack.
Last year, they scored a paltry 377 points at 16 points a game, ranking them 15th in the NRL.
Only the Eels, who were wooden spooners, scored fewer points.
A team with the experience of Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, combined with the talent of Luke Brooks, Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds, needs to do better.
The Tigers’ defence, however, was easily top-eight standard. They conceded just 19 points a game, good enough for sixth best in the league. They only have to repeat last year’s effort to be competitive.
MORE NRL NEWS
EELS TEEN SENSATION: MUM MADE ME PLAY FOR PARRA
MONDAY BUZZ: WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS
So it’s no secret what new coach Michael McGuire would have been focusing on over the preseason.
The Tigers go into round one in healthy shape and are not far away from breaking the NRL’s longest finals drought and playing September football for the first time since 2011.
Again, it will come down to their playmakers, who are very good.
Club great and premiership winner Marshall and former NSW Origin five-eighth Reynolds will battle it out for the No.6 jersey to play alongside Brooks.
Jacob Liddle is the hooker-in-waiting behind Farah, and Tyson Gamble made his debut in the halves last year.
The initial balance for the team may have Marshall and Brooks continue their combination with Reynolds becoming a valuable interchange option.
Farah and Marshall were in their early 20s when they helped steer the Tigers to premiership success in 2005.
Both are now approaching 300 games and retirement. They are in an ideal position to mentor Brooks and Mbye.
Brooks clocked up some decent numbers in 2018. He ran for 63 metres a game — where anything north of 50m for halves is top shelf, made 11 linebreaks and created 28 try and linebreak assists. To top that off, he forced 22 drop outs with his excellent short kicking game. He is a serious player who has the potential to go to another level.
The same can be said about Mbye, who has shown plenty up until now, both in the halves and at fullback.
He is a dangerous runner who is suited to the fullback role.
If Marshall and Farah can lead this group and the combinations click, the Tigers’ attack should improve dramatically.
KIWI PUNCH
Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Elijah Taylor shape as the starting middle forwards. They are all Kiwi internationals with finals experience.
The trio were part of the New Zealand Warriors’ 2011 grand final team. If the Tigers are to challenge for the top eight, this group must be at their best. They have to get over the top of their opposition and give the playmakers time and space.
New arrival Ryan Matterson will provide the Tigers with a strike edge forward. He’s big and a good line runner.
Chris Lawrence’s badly broken jaw, suffered in training last week, is a blow.
But there is plenty of replacements from which to choose.
Matt Eisenhuth, Alex Twal, Michael Chee-Kam, Chris McQueen, Josh Aloiai, Robbie Rochow — it’s an impressive group that provides impact and cover.
Competition for places will push them to be better than their opponents.
OUTSIDE BACKS
This is the one area that the Tigers don’t have a great deal of depth. A couple of injuries and they start to look a bit thin.
The 105kg Esan Marsters is an explosive young centre.
In 2018, he earned his first Kiwi jumper and his combination with David Nofoaluma on the right continued to impress.
Like Marsters, Nofoaluma is hard to stop. He busted 71 tackles in 2018 and led the offload count.
NRL FANS SURVEY: Take our short survey to make your voice heard on the great game of rugby league.
Mahe Fonua and former Rooster Paul Momirovski look like fighting out the left centre role.
Fonua is built low to the ground and is extremely difficult to stop one-on-one.
Momirovski impressed in his debut season last year, especially in the preliminary final. He has been recruited to play NRL and is going to be hard to hold out.
Corey Thompson is an extremely dedicated player who will be eager to nail down the left wing position. He’s not the biggest winger in the league but he is very strong and was the Tigers’ leading try scorer last season with nine.
Either Robert Jennings or Momirovski could slot in here, if McGuire gives Fonua the nod at left centre.
HOME COMFORT
The Tigers start the season with home games against Manly, New Zealand and Canterbury. Win those and that momentum may well set up a successful season.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Sam McIntyre, at just 20, can play back row and centre. He is a hard worker who has progressed to the full-time squad. His versatility could prove valuable to the Tigers in 2019.
STAT ATTACK
The Tigers made more tackles than any other team last season. They averaged 319.7 tackles a game. If they can score a few more points they will spend less time in defence.
Originally published as Attack the key as Tigers look to solve old issues, writes Anthony Griffin
Inglis takes big step in coaching career
Greg Inglis is a man in demand with the Hall of Famer accepting two major coaching roles in two days.
Tigers blow as star recruit sent for scans
As the Wests Tigers attempt to bounce back from three miserable years, an injury scare for their big-name recruit has rocked the club.