Wests Tigers Fan

[weststigersfan]

It was all my fault.

Notice how ever since I stopped blogging here, we've gone on a winning streak. I blame myself too.

Anyway, looks like I don't have enough time for this blog these days. Don't run away though; I'll try post a few photo's/opinions every now and then!

[weststigersfan]

Round 7: MOTM and best young prop in the game, Aaron Woods, takes on the Panthers.

[weststigersfan]

Round 7: Benji Marshall vs Panthers

[weststigersfan]

Round 7: Panthers (0) vs Tigers (30) (Centrebet Stadium)

It's easy to get excited at the result of this game, but the performance was still nowhere near our best. I know it sounds harsh, but it's hard to take away anything from today's game because the Panthers had nothing. In saying that though, it was a very solid performance and it was pleasing to hold a team to 0 for the first time since the club made its (merged) debut. Especially with us losing Farah after 13 minutes; how bad is our luck!

Good to see Ray Cashmere score on his return to the club; he was VERY good off the bench. As were Junior Moors and Blake Ayshford. I hope Moors can secure a permanent bench spot now; he's deserved it for a long time and after another very good performance, surely he can't be denied. It'll be interesting when Groat comes back into contention in a couple of weeks time.

Aaron Woods was simply amazing tonight; I can't believe how good he is for a prop at that age, his prime years are so far ahead! Wouldn't look out of place in a NSW jersey at all. Beau Ryan is playing so well and I'm loving the consistency in his game. Adam Blair is still drifting out of the game; he needs to get more involved, he's too good to float around doing nothing. Matt Bell was great at lock, he really tightened up our defence in the middle; Fulton too, who had another very good game.

Can't fault anyone's efforts too much tonight to be honest. I just hope they continue to improve and turn up to play a desperate Eels side in 2 weeks time.

I hate BYE rounds.

[weststigersfan]

Eh.

Struggling to keep this dated. It's harder to keep myself motivated when the team is doing so horribly.

At least the Bulldogs lost...

[weststigersfan]

What. The. Fuck. happened with the Tigers. How do you blow a two try lead with 7 minutes left?

Dude... don't get me started.

Putting my frustrations aside though, at least we were very strong defending for the majority of the game and at least the effort was there. As pissed of as I am about the loss, it was good to see that the game meant something to them for a change.

It's still early in the season too. Really tough one against the Broncos next week, but then we have a few games we should win - Panthers, Eels and Titans leading into a BYE.

I've calmed down heaps since the game, ha. Just have to stick solid and support them again next week.

[weststigersfan]

Round 5: Wests Tigers (16) vs Raiders (17) (Allianz Stadium, 2012)

I'm so pissed off I'm going to be a badass and say....

FUCK.

[weststigersfan]

Round 5: Gameday

Pretty sure we're running out as per program.

Starting

1. Tim Moltzen 2. Beau Ryan 3. Joel Reddy 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Lote Tuqiri 6. Benji Marshall (c) 7. Tom Humble 8. Aaron Woods 9. Liam Fulton 10. Matt Bell 11. Adam Blair 12. Gareth Ellis 13. Chris Heighington

Bench

14. Sean Meaney 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Matt Groat 17. Blake Ayshford

Wonder what will happen with the rotation this week. The bench suggests a lot of players are going to have to move around to accommodate, unless Meaney is the direct hooker swap with Fulton. If it's not that then I'd assume the following; Humble goes to hooker at some stage of the game, probably early second half; Moltzen goes to halfback for Humble and Reddy moves to fullback to allow Ayshford to come into the centres. That would obviously be ridiculous. But things like this have happened before with Sheens.

Either way, we really need this. So do Souths, but at least they have shown some good form in their losses. We're desperate! As long as we can tackle this week, we'll be fine.

I'm expecting BIG things again. Better not be let down... again.

Up the Tigers!

[weststigersfan]

Round 5: Tips.

Storm vs Knights - Can't go past the Storm... even though you'd think they are due a loss. Not willing to stick my neck out though, so I'll go with a tough Storm 1-12 win.

Broncos vs Dragons - Really hard to pick this one, but I see more in the Dragons than I do in the Broncos. I just get the feeling the Broncos have been overachieving so far. It's at Suncorp though... I'm so on the fence. Broncos 1-12, even though it contradicts what I just said. I was going with the Dragons with the same margin, last minute change of heart.

Panthers vs Sharks - Another tough game to pick, hope the Sharks win it though. I remember the days I hated the Sharks, I find myself hoping they'd win very often these days; I think it's all the former Tiger players they have. Purely because they are at home, Panthers 1-12. I often do that when I'm undecided, if you haven't noticed.

Eels vs Manly - Ha. Eels are no chance. I expected them to lift a couple of weeks ago, nothing changed. If there's ever a week to fire up it will be this week for them. Hindmarsh announcing his retirement and Hayne due back... they have to perform. The obvious says Manly 13+, but I still smell an upset. A crazy one.

Roosters vs Warriors - Roosters are paying good money. For some reason I'm confident of a Roosters win here. Roosters 1-12.

Titans vs Bulldogs - Too much drama at the Titans and the Bulldogs are going too good. Really can't see the Titans winning here, even though it would be awesome. Bulldogs 13+.

Tigers vs Rabbitohs - We have to win... but I don't know if we have the team to do it. The Rabbits scare me, especially with Inglis roaming around wherever he wants now. Our defence HAS to be on form if we have a chance of winning. Sadly, Rabbits 1-12 is what I think may happen.

Raiders vs Cowboys - Interesting game. I'd love to see the Raiders kick-on from last weeks win against us. I want to see them prove a real point and they have a chance here against a very good team in the Cowboys. Should be a really good watch this. Raiders 1-12.

[weststigersfan]

Round 5: Team to face the Rabbits.

Never expected Sheens to drop players for under-performing; not one of the bigger names anyway. Not that he's completely dropped anyone - Blake Ayshford has been relegated to the bench with Joel Reddy moving into his centre spot while Lote Tuqiri makes a return at his usual wing spot. Matt Groat has also, finally, been relegated back to the bench for Matt Bell - who has been very solid.

Jacob Miller has been dropped, due to injury I believe; or so it better be, we should persist with him when he recovers. This brings Humble in at halfback; he looked very good there when he replaced Miller after he came off last week, so this should be interesting.

Again, a weak bench with two backs. Ayshford can and I'm assuming will be used in the backrow at some stage, while Meaney won't be getting much game time as usual I'm guessing.

Decent looking starting team I suppose though; we REALLY need to prove everyone wrong this week. Rumours of Benji sitting out this week got me very nervous, glad that was squashed quickly.

Starting

1. Tim Moltzen 2. Beau Ryan 3. Joel Reddy 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Lote Tuqiri 6. Benji Marshall (c) 7. Tom Humble 8. Aaron Woods 9. Liam Fulton 10. Matt Bell 11. Adam Blair 12. Gareth Ellis 13. Chris Heighington

Bench

14. Sean Meaney 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Matt Groat 17. Blake Ayshford

As usual, expect changes.

[weststigersfan]

Round 4: Wests Tigers (16) vs Raiders (30) (Campbelltown Sports, 2012)

Very hard to reflect on this one.

Frustrated is an understatement. There's just so much wrong. Willie Mason needed to be signed (not that he would have made a difference tonight, just saying) and if he does get signed this week, it's going to be laughable. Maybe some people are right about our management.

Even I'm starting to doubt Sheens. I don't understand his selections.

Adam Blair... that is not the same Blair from the Storm. He's not turning up and we're not using him right. He needs the ball WAY more often.

Chris Lawrence will be gone for a week or two for that tackle thanks to a messed up judiciary system. We're really going to struggle next week against a very good Rabbitohs team.

Things just seem to be getting worse.

An even more interesting week coming up.

[weststigersfan]

Round 4: Two backs, one bench.

Amazing.

I have always stood up for Sheens as a coach; but this is a whole new level. Against one of, if not the, biggest packs in the competition... he decides to put two backs on the bench.

If we lose this, I'm fuming.

Seriously.

[weststigersfan]

Round 4: Gameday

Finally. What a long wait.

Going to be interesting how the team is going to line up tonight, it'll become clearer when the pre-game show starts. If I were to guess how the team will run out though, I'd go with:

Starting

7. Tim Moltzen 2. Beau Ryan 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Joel Reddy 6. Benji Marshall (c) 19. Jacob Miller 8. Aaron Woods 9. Liam Fulton 10. Matt Groat 11. Adam Blair 12. Gareth Ellis 13. Chris Heighington Bench

1. Tom Humble 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Matt Bell 17. Junior Moors

Reports are suggesting Tim Sheens has finally given up on having Moltzen at halfback and putting him back to fullback, where he is slightly better. It also suggests Miller might get a start rather than coming off the bench; this I somehow doubt, but if true, it will be a brilliant move by Sheens. We need a halfback, and this kid is the best we have potential wise.

Humble will either drop to the bench and come on for Fulton at some stage at hooker, or may possible start at halfback and then move to hooker for Fulton allowing Miller to come on from the bench. Hopefully not the latter.

It's going to be a tough game, especially with no Farah. Still, if the team runs out like I'm guessing they should, that's a fairly decent line up.

Go the Tigers!

[weststigersfan]

Round 4: Tips.

Eels vs Panthers - You'd think the Eels have to win this one. Jarryd Hayne might play, and if he does, I'm certain the Eels will bounce back this week. Eels in a tough and tight one, 1-12. Rabbitohs vs Broncos - This one is really tough to pick. The Broncos have been going so well and the Rabbitohs are capable of anything. On their day, the Rabbits are very hard to beat. They would have got some confidence from last week and if they can all stand up and deliver again, I'd say the Rabbits will get away with the win... 13+!

Warriors vs Titans - There is no way the Titans could win this one... which is why you'd think they can. Strangely. I can't see the Warriors losing at home again though, impossible. All the off-field issues for the Titans might be a factor too, so I'm going to go with what you'd expect - an easy 13+ victory for the Warriors. Dragons vs Manly - What a game this should be! Another real tough one to pick. I'm so undecided... but because of the injuries and suspensions Manly have, I'm going with a Dragons 1-12 win. Cowboys vs Sharks - This one should be good too; and quite interesting. It's a tough trip for the Sharks; but if they can play like they have been (despite the results) they can really challenge the Cowboys. Both teams have shown similar form I'd say, the Sharks have just been unlucky. Purely because it's up in North QLD, I'd say a Cowboys 1-12 win. Storm vs Roosters - Gotta be the Storm; they're just red-hot at the moment and the Roosters won't be able to match them. I would be very surprised if there was an upset here. Storm 13+. Bulldogs vs Knights - The Knights better win. Seriously. I refuse to believe the Bulldogs are a real threat this season. The Knights should be desperate for a win and I hope they deliver. Knights 1-12. Tigers vs Raiders - I'm expecting the Tigers to come out with a near-perfect performance. I don't care what injuries/suspensions we have; that's no excuse. You wear that jersey, you put your all into it. No half-hearted, arm-grabbing tackles. Play hard, show everyone we're not the soft flamboyant team they think we are. Raiders are missing very good players in Dugan and Fensom, so there are absolutely no excuses. Tigers 13+.

[weststigersfan]

As a Canterbury fan, one would think I kinda dislike Mason, but I don't. I think he's still a talent & would be a great asset to any club. Particularly the Tigers right now. I don't like the fact that they are turning him away because of 'fan backlash' because you're telling me that when he tears it up for you guys people won't be supporting him? Please. Silly move from the Tigers, IMO. I'm sorry you're unhappy with it also!

It is a silly move. I hope, somehow, they have a change of heart. Wonder if that announcement is coming anytime soon.

Thanks!

[weststigersfan]

Willie Mason update.

I knew it. Tigers haven't officially come out and said it, but all signs and reports are pointing to an end to contract talks with Mason.

This really annoys me. If it's to do with salary cap issues, then fine, understandable, but if it's because of what I think it is - fan backlash; then that is just ridiculous. The coach picks the team; not the fans. No matter how badly we want to sometimes.

We really need Mason. I don't understand how his reputation can harm the club, while Robert Lui and Todd Carney are running around for the Cowboys and Sharks respectively. It makes no sense. What Mason has done is nothing compared to those two.

I don't know if they will change their minds; an announcement is suppose to be made today.

[weststigersfan]

Round 4: Team news.

This is crazy, if true. I really thought Tim Sheens would persist with Moltzen at halfback for a while longer at the very least.

Anyway, apparently Moltzen will go to fullback this week, Humble therefore moves to halfback and Miller is expected to come onto the bench instead of Meaney. Fulton will start at hooker, I'm pretty sure of that.

Sheens said that he will play a specialist hooker at some point in the game, obviously not Pat Politoni... unfortunately. The only one close enough to a specialist hooker in this weeks 17 is probably Humble, so I assume Miller will come on for Humble and Humble will move into the hooker role at some stage of the game.

If this does happen... I think it's a bit too distracting for team structure; you shouldn't be rotating halves. Ah well, if it means giving Miller a go, I'm happy. Hope he makes that jersey his own and Moltzen stays at fullback. Humble could be a perfect utility.

Man, we have a lot of 'utility' players.