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5 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
After falling short of an unlikely Top 8 berth in 2016, the Wests Tigers will look to break through for their first finals appearance since 2011 in what shapes as a significant year in the club's future.
The old-age saying ‘quality over quantity' exemplified the Tigers recruitment drive for 2016. Although a large number of players were brought over from other clubs, many did not reach particularly great heights during the season, with the addition of Matt Ballin adding heat to the Robbie Farah feud, all of which threatened to overshadow the side's on-field performances.
The rise, however, of winger Josh Addo-Carr was quite spectacular, only for Melbourne to snatch him up to form a lethal combination with Suliasi Vunivalu for next season. Josh Aloiai was also able to lock down a first grade spot as was English recuit Jordan Rankin and former Rabbitoh & Panther Tim Grant.
On the field, the Wests Tigers experienced a rather inconsistent campaign in 2016 with the side failing to build any real momentum. The season opened in positive fashion with victories over the Warriors and Sea Eagles, yet this was followed by six consecutive losses. Hardly the start to the season under fire coach Jason Taylor was hoping for, however, the Tigers would turn this around to claim nine wins from their next fifteen to set up a possible late push for a finals spot.
The season then unravelled dramatically when James Tedesco broke his jaw in the side's demoralising 19-18 last gasp to fellow finals hopefuls Gold Coast, in a game which seemingly ended the Tigers' run towards the Top 8. Tedesco's absence was emphatically noticeable when the Tigers collapsed in an embarrassing 40-10 loss to Penrith.
Despite their defensive woes, they then came up against a side in the Warriors who exhibited similar attacking flair and defensive frailties. And, in a massive upset, the Tigers would score a 36-24 victory and faced the Raiders at Leichhardt Oval in the final round of the season with a Top 8 spot on the line if they were to win, following a 32-16 loss for fellow finals hopefuls the Titans against the Cowboys. It wasn't to be - and was sadly fitting of their season that, with so much on the line and despite their immense potential, the Tigers capitulated with the Raiders running away for a massive 52-10 win - a bitterly disappointing end to their campaign and casting a shadow over Robbie Farah's farewell at the ground.
Undoubtedly the turning point in the Tigers 2016 season was Taylor's decision to drop Farah. The call in itself was huge, particularly with Farah having completed the Origin series as the state vice-captain. The relationship between the pair had been well documented and caused uproar within the fan base. However, with his conviction in dropping the Blues hooker, Taylor pointed towards a more clear future for the club and signalled towards the future of the club whilst still battling for a Top 8 spot. And with his relegation, the Tigers went on to win three straight games against the Dragons, Eels and Cowboys to set up a tense finish to 2016. In the end, however, their season would come down to one game, which, as mentioned earlier, would finish in extraordinary fashion as the Raiders punished an uncommitted Tigers side.
The Tigers didn't do a whole lot well, however their backline, headlined by James Tedesco and David Nofoaluma, provided a source of positivity throughout the whole season. Despite a season disrupted by injury Tedesco claimed Dally M Fullback of the Year and in 17 games claimed 14 tries, 15 line breaks, set up 12 tries and averaged 6 tackle busts a game. His only competition in most of these categories - David Nofoaluma. The speedy winger also bagged 14 tries, made 17 line breaks, averaged 6 tackle busts and 133 running metres in 23 games. Both threatened to break games open with Nofoaluma's pace out wide and Tedesco's strength in the middle a key asset of the Tigers' attack.
So, what didn't the Tigers do well? Defence was a major issue. The Tigers conceded 105 tries in 2016, only less than the Knights. Defending their line was made even tougher due to the fact that they missed 729 tackles, the fourth most in the league. They also ranked in the bottom rungs of the ladder for tackle busts, running metres and kick return metres, displaying their troubles in gaining ascendancy in games and being able to assert dominance over eighty minutes. Although the Tigers have shown great promise in 2016, improvement, particularly in defence is needed next year if they are any hope of gaining a spot in the Top 8.
As mentioned earlier James Tedesco and David Nofoaluma were the Tigers' best. However, Mitchell Moses also enjoyed a fruitful campaign, particularly in the back end of the 2016 season. Moses managed 15 line breaks, set up 18 tries and scored 6 tries in a promising year. Although his tackle efficiency rate may be 76%, this is even better than Jonathan Thurston's and James Maloney's and therefore, although something he must work on, his downfall in this category is hardly a surprise. 2017 could be a defining year for Moses, who, if he plays consistently, will be a major cog in his side's chances of a Top 8 berth in 2017.
Indicative of a positive future, the Tigers also enjoyed promising campaigns in the Holden Cup and NSW Cup.
The Holden Cup side finished 6th position and only two wins away from the top four. They fell short of glory however, with the Cowboys claiming a 32-16 win over the junior Wests Tigers in the Semi Finals. They will look to continue to improve, even if star hooker Jacob Liddle is promoted to the NRL next season.
The black and gold also oozed talent in the open second tier competition, but failed to capitalise on an 18-6 halftime lead over Mounties in a preliminary final and eventually went down 24-18, with young brother of Benji Marshall - Jeremy Marshall-King starring in that clash, and enjoying a successful year in his transition into the Intrust Super Premiership.
The Tigers possess attacking weapons in Tedesco and improving halves Luke Brooks and Moses who, if not disturbed by injury, should form an even more dangerous combination in 2017. The puzzle, however, is at hooker. If the club unearths the ideal player in the No. 9 jersey it will go a long way to securing their spine for the future. Provided the Tigers can improve their defence, they will feature in their first finals series since 2011.
Much will depend on whether Jamal Idris does sign with the club, as some rumours have suggested. If so, he starts at centre with Naiqama shifting to the wing replacing Rankin.
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Tim Grant
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Elijah Taylor
14. JJ Felise
15. Ava Seumanufagai
16. Sauaso Sue
17. Josh Aloiai