Wests Tigers Mid-Season Report Card

2015 started brightly for the Wests Tigers, with a tight win over the Titans in round 1 followed up by a big win in round 2 against the Dragons. Unfortunately, that's about the most consistent fortnight the Tigers have managed so far this season.

The Tigers have won only three of their past eleven games, and have not been able to put back-to-back wins together since round 2. Sitting well outside the top 8 on 12 points, behind a string of teams on 14, the Tigers will have to treat every game from now on as a finals game to avoid losing touch with the top sides.

New coach Jason Taylor will rue a couple of missed opportunities earlier in the season, specifically losses to the Bulldogs in round 4 and the Raiders in round 7. In both games the Tigers got themselves out to big leads, before being chased down late in the game. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they've picked up a reputation this season of being a team that tires out in the second half, with teams just riding out the initial storm and chasing the lead down.

Injury wise, the Tigers have had a luckier season than most. Their spine has remained relatively intact throughout the year so far, apart from the obvious injury to Robbie Farah.

Positives:
Traditionally, the Tigers have built their game upon their off-the-cuff and unpredictable attack. This season has been the opposite. The Tigers are ranked 11th in the league for points scored, while their defence (7th) has been keeping them in touch with their opposition in games. Additionally, the purchase of coach Jason Taylor has been a positive for the side, as he provided a new defensive structure, and has guided his young spine well. With the introduction of a new coach comes a new gameplan and training methods, which often take time to become second nature for players.

Negatives:
We've already mentioned the Tigers' knack for getting run down after racking up a big lead, so we'll leave that there. Without a doubt, the Tigers other major negative has been their consistency in attack. With a spine boasting names like Tedesco, Brooks, Moses and Farah, you would be forgiven for thinking the Tigers would be at the top of the attacking rankings. This is especially true given the relatively injury uninterupted season the team has enjoyed so far. Instead, the Tigers are languishing in attack - with the halves particularly hot and cold throughout the season.

Best Player:
This season has been a coming of age for young Tigers' prop Aaron Woods. Woods has averaged over 210 metres per game, and together with Keith Galloway has provided a solid platform for his smaller men to work from. The most important part of Woods' game this season has been his consistency. When other players around him have had bad weeks or poor games, Woods has put in the same consistently high performance every week. His form was rewarded with (so far) two State of Origin games in 2015, and he has been close to the best on the park in both.

Predicted Finish:
As mentioned, the Tigers' new coaching methods will take a while to catch on. The side has a good run home compared to most clubs, facing only five games against current top 8 sides on the way to the finals. That said, their attack will need to click in the next couple of weeks, or the Tigers are going to be left behind by sides ramping up for the finals.

Just outside the top 8.

By the Numbers

Won: 5
Lost: 8
Bye: 1
Points Scored: 245 (11th)
Points Conceded: 248 (7th)
Placed: 13th
Overall Ranking: =8th

Season So Far

Round 1 Titans 18 v 19 Tigers

Round 2 Tigers 22 v 4 Dragons

Round 3 Rabbitohs 20 v 6 Tigers

Round 4 Tigers 24 v 25 Bulldogs

Round 5 Eels 6 v 22 Tigers

Round 6 Warriors 32 v 22 Tigers

Round 7 Tigers 22 v 30 Raiders

Round 8 Bulldogs 14 v 38 Tigers

Round 9 Roosters 36 v 4 Tigers

Round 10 Knights 22 v 12 Tigers

Round 11 Tigers 0 v 8 Cowboys

Round 13 Tigers 20 v 27 Titans

Round 14 Tigers 34 v 6 Rabbitohs