2017 Preview | Wests Tigers

After yet another unnecessarily tumultuous season off the field due to petulant squabbling between coach Jason Taylor and star Robbie Farah came to a head with Farah leaving the club at seasons end, the Wests Tigers will have absolutely no excuses if their talented squad fail to live up to their potential yet again in 2017.

While on paper the Wests Tigers appeared to have a better season, finishing in ninth place and just one point outside the top 8, they had the second worst defence in the competition, better than only wooden spooners Newcastle.

Despite winning three more games in 2016 compared to 2015, they still conceded 45 more points. Meanwhile, their attack only scored 12 more points than the previous year. These numbers indicate that the Tigers defence has worsened - and their attack has, at best, remained stagnant.

For a side that has made very little in the way of improvements to its 2017 roster to address these problems, it is most certainly a make or break season for the club, players and coach.

Why they'll win it

X-Factors - Every club needs them and the Wests Tigers have plenty of them across the park. Fullback James Tedesco, the likes of Jamal Idris and David Nofoaluma in the backline, halves Mitch Moses and Luke Brooks and prop & captain Aaron Woods, rookie rake Jacob Liddle and big man Ava Seumanufagai. These players have bucket loads of talent and ability and can turn games on their head in an instant.

Why they won't

A few reasons. Depth is a big issue. The club is short on quality backup players for nearly all positions on the field, so when injuries hit, they hit hard. Atrocious handling of the salary cap has seen the current squad still trying to get their house in order which is a huge concern given the number of top line youngsters off contract at the end of the year who will undoubtedly be looking for pay increases. This can prove to be a huge distraction from Round 1 til Round 26.

Add to that, question marks over centre Tim Simona and betting allegations that have seen him stood down by the club and had the NRL threaten to cancel his player registration will cast a shadow over the opening weeks of the club's campaign - not what was needed after the Farah-Taylor saga was finally put to bed with the former's departure to South Sydney.

Finally, the restrictive and frigid coaching style of Jason Taylor needs to become more malleable if he is to get the most out of this side, who are largely instinctive players who have struggled for two seasons under his tutelage. Both coach and players need to find a compromise between the two styles if any improvement is to take place.

Key Players

A hard, powerful running fullback, James Tedesco was the difference between the Wests Tigers being rocks or diamonds in 2016. His continued great form, despite again missing games through injury, saw him selected in his first State of Origin game where he performed admirably. He was a shock omission from the Australian Four Nations squad at the end of the year. His passing game has improved while his strength and speed is as immense as ever making him the Wests Tigers biggest attacking weapon by far.

Centre-turned-backrower Chris Lawrence had a mixed season in his first full year in the back row during 2016, however there was no doubting that he has what it takes to thrive there. With that season under his belt, he will be more comfortable in his role and ability. His improved defence also saw the Tigers' defence strengthen. His combination with halfback Brooks started to gel towards the end of the season and with some young players around him feeling more settled, he is a big chance of playing a vastly bigger role for the club in 2017.

Rookies to Watch

20-year old hooker Jacob Liddle has gone from being the number five hooker at the club in 2016 to a potential starter, after the Tigers shed three of the players in the queue ahead of him - the retired Dene Halatau, Cronulla-bound Manaia Cherrington and Farah's much publicised switch to the Rabbitohs. There's no doubting that the kid can play, and with the experience of Matt Ballin at hand, he'll surely come on in leaps and bounds in 2017.

The amazing strength and agility of 20-year-old Esan Marsters means he can play anywhere from second row or lock to centre and at a stretch, even prop. He's been carving up the Under 20's competition for two seasons and will get his chance in the NRL side this year. He has a good turn of pace, runs strong lines with a good step and fend and has the potential to be a starting back rower for many years.

Player Movements

Gains | Jamal Idris (free agent), Matt McIlwrick (Sharks)

Losses | Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Jack Buchanan - mid season 2016 (Widnes), Manaia Cherrington (Sharks), Josh Drinkwater (Catalans), Robbie Farah (Rabbitohs), Asipeli Fine & Lamar Liolevave - mid season 2016 (Bulldogs), Dene Halatau (retired), Kyle Lovett & Billy McConnachie (released), Jesse Parahi & Chance Peni (Rugby), Curtis Sironen (Sea Eagles)

Best 17

1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Jamal Idris
5. Kevin Naiqama
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods (c)
9. Matt Ballin
10. Tim Grant
11. Sauaso Sue
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Elijah Taylor

14. Ava Seumanufagai
15. Jacob Liddle
16. Josh Aloiai
17. Michael Chee-Kam

2017 Draw

Click the image below for a full downloadable version of the 2017 Wests Tigers' schedule.