NRL 2022: Wests Tigers season preview, roster analysis, predicted finish, Round 1 best 17
The Wests Tigers generated more headlines away from the field than on it in recent years but is 2022 the season where they finally turn it around? Or will it be Michael Maguire’s last as coach?
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Things didn’t go to plan for the Wests Tigers in 2021 – a 13th-placed finish very nearly cost coach Michael Maguire his job.
But a new year brings new optimism, and the Tigers’ youth-driven recruitment push in recent years means there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Michael Carayannis dives deep into the Tigers’ recent woes and works out whether 2022 could be the season where they finally turn it around.
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finishes THE LAST FIVE YEARS
2017: 14th
2018: 9th
2019: 9th
2020: 11th
2021: 13th
TAB Odds
Premiership: $51
Top four: $11
Top eight: $5
Most losses: $3.25
2022 SQUAD
Shawn Blore, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner, Oliver Gildart, Jackson Hastings, Reece Hoffman, William Kei. Asu Kepaoa, Daine Laurie, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle, Jock Madden, Ken Maumalo, Thomas Mikaele, Zane Musgrove, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Tyrone Peachey, Alex Seyfarth, Jake Simpkin, Tuki Simpkins, Tommy Talau, James Tamou, Kelma Tuilagi, Junior Tupou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu
INS: Jackson Hastings (Wigan), Oliver Gildart (Wigan), Tyrone Peachey (Titans), Junior Tupou (rugby).
OUTS: Moses Mbye (Dragons), Billy Walters (Broncos), Joey Leilua (Featherstone), Michael Chee Kam (Rabbitohs), Russell Packer (retired), Tom Amone (released), Zac Cini (released).
SQUAD ANALYSIS
Strengths: When you look at the Tigers on paper the side isn’t too bad – especially their forward pack. If they can play the power game and get on top of their opposition most weeks they will have some success.
Weaknesses: The biggest question mark remains surrounding their spine. It would struggle to compete with the best in the game and will again prove to be problematic.
PLAYERS IN THE 2021 RICH 100: Seven
David Nofoaluma (83, $525,000), Joey Leilua (80, $550,000), Adam Doueihi (68, $625,000), Joe Ofahengaue (63, $650,000), Russell Packer (38, $750,000), Moses Mbye (27, $815,000), Luke Brooks (25, $850,000).
COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING
Michael Maguire is signed until 2023. Narrowly avoided the axe at the end of last season after the now infamous review into his performance. No coach will start under the microscope more than Maguire. Despite being given a guarantee he will see out the year, that endorsement will quickly evaporate if they begin the season poorly.
Safety Rating: D-
WHAT DO THEY NEED TO TWEAK?
The Tigers looked lost at times. Ex-centre Joey Leilua lambasted the team’s defensive structures. They’ve moved on their assistant coaches so expect to see a different style of play from the Wests Tigers. The question will be how hands on Tim Sheens is in terms of the on-field performances. Sheens was an attacking guru.
FREE AGENCY WRAP
The Tigers have added an interesting mix of unknown quantities. The signing of Jackson Hastings looms as the most important. Not just for the club but for Hastings as he tries to resurrect his NRL career after a successful stint in England. Hastings should be wearing the team’s no.7 jersey as he is a true organiser. He has been earmarked as a potential ball playing lock. Jury is out on his former Wigan teammate Oliver Gildart while Tyrone Peachy should add some utility value to the roster.
WHICH PLAYER CAN THEY REINVENT? Luke Brooks
It’s a copy and paste each season when it comes to the Tigers but how can they get the best out of Luke Brooks? His off-season was marred by suggestions he would leave for Newcastle but as has always been the case, the club backed their halfback. He is coming off a player of the year award but the Tigers need to find his running game. Will never silence the critics until he leads them into the finals.
WILL DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS MAKE AN IMPACT?
The Tigers have two outside backs who were development contracted in 2021 stepping into the top 30 squad this season. Centre Reece Hoffman spent the past two years on a development contract at the club but the Queensland under-18s representative gets a shot in the top grade. He played a first grade match in 2020.
Another centre William Kei has spent the past two years in the Tigers’ Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup teams. The Parramatta junior will compete for a top grade spot. The Tigers development players include back-rowers Henry O‘Kane, Apisalome Saukuru and Brandon Tumeth. Balmain junior Tumeth was picked in the NSW Future Blues camp.
WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP? Stefano Utoikamanu
Utoikamanu announced himself as a first grade star with the Tigers showing they are onto a winner after taking a punt on the Parramatta junior. In his first full season of first grade Utoikamanu was a shining light. He has already been earmarked as a NSW player but that could come sooner rather than later for the 21-year-old. Tigers are already in talks to give him a long-term contract upgrade.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR…?
Take your pick. Maguire, Brooks and Hastings. All three have a point to prove for differing reasons. Maguire is no doubt coaching for his future while Brooks could be in his last season at the Tigers if they finally decide he is not the man to turn the tide. Hastings comes without expectation but will be closely watched. If he can replicate his Super League form he will be a sensation.
2022 PREMIERSHIP PREDICTION:Bottom two.
Injury to their best player Doueihi will sideline him for half the season. The innuendo around their coach won’t go away. Haven’t added a whole lot in the off-season so the growth in the side is not overly evident. Will struggle again to mix it with the best teams.
CAPTAINCY CONTENDERS
James Tamou will lead the side but it is just a matter of when not if that Doueihi will take on more leadership. The natural fit to succeed Tamou at the end of next season after he makes a full recovery from injury. Does not need to be burdened with it in 2022.
FOX SPORTS LAB’S AARON WALLACE SAYS...
Wests Tigers missed out on finals football for a 10th successive season, the longest Finals drought of any current team. They are the only team to have missed 10 straight finals in the NRL Era (Souths missed 15 straight from 1990-2006) and just the fourth team since the early 1980s to do so.
Finding some form of consistency is the only way Wests can claw their way back into finals contention. The Tigers have not strung three wins together since early in 2018 and have not won four straight games since 2012. This year they won back to back matches just twice, and one of those was against the Bulldogs and Cowboys.
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