Okay, 3 rounds in and we’re gone, season over, might even be another spoon? But wait, is there a ray of hope? Is there something to clasp onto and provide us with some joy over the next 6 months? Well here it is, a delusional look at the Wests Tigers prospects this year. Hey, we all delude ourselves at some point or other don’t we?
I think we can still make the finals. Shock, horror, what is this fool thinking. See, I think there are some positives at the moment, not a lot but some. Bateman will be a huge influence on this team. Pole, Kepoa, Api, Naden all showing improvement each game they play. I don’t think Stefano is all that far away from hitting some good consistent form. The halves is a huge problem but with a change or two it could be a lot better. I think Ken Maumalo will also help with the go forward should he stay injury free. But they need a win badly just for a lift in confidence. I believe when it comes, hopefully this week, they can put a few together, crazy I know but if I wasn’t crazy would I still be supporting this team? Now it makes sense doesn’t it? Doesn’t it? Just a little bit?
Anyway, I’m off the Melbourne this week to see us win and begin our climb up the table. Wish me luck and Godspeed. What the hell does Godspeed mean?
Add to this we’ve actually been close in all 3 games despite being poor, very poor which is not uncommon for some teams early on in the season and we’ve changed so much maybe it will take a little longer, maybe. The halves situation is not good but with one or two adjustments it can be better. We can still improve upon our completion rates too and we will. I see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, a golden sky at the end of a storm (appropriate as we’re playing them). Okay, coffee and Sudafed might’ve been a bad idea.
Okay glass half empty time now. The nrl have us in our sites now and they can pounce.
Okay the first 3 rounds have come and gone. Against teams that finished around the same as us last season. Two at home and one away, being only down the road.
Throughout these rounds the score lines haven’t blown. However we’ve had enough possession to have won games multiple times. Winning penalty counts and 50/50 decisions. We have a vastly new team with quality signings in amongst. However we are now 0/3 and go to Melbourne trying to find our opening points.
I think the one thing that has gone against us in our inability to keep the same team out on the park. But the one thing we can’t change now is our coaching ranks. I do believe now we’ve gone down the wrong road and the rest of the season is going to spiral out of control.
One thing I remember Garry saying on a pod last year, ‘If we don’t get this rebuild right, we are in a lot of trouble’ and this statement is flooding my mind at the moment.
Faint glimmers of something good has to enter my mind in coming weeks. I’m hoping on our pommy!that seriously looks like a vampire out there to somehow inspire this mob. The next 6/7 weeks are vital in the context of the season.
Keep steering the right path
@russtutty63 Coffee a good idea,not so the Sudafed,lol.
I admire your optimism but also your passion to make the trip to Melbourne.I really hope the team puts a smile on your face,and makes it a memorable weekend and for all of us who’ve suffered the sub-mediocrity over the opening three games.
There is a difference between optimism and delusion.I sincerely believe there are enough good qualities to this side to leave me optimistic.The main being Bateman,and for an initial hit out in brutal conditions played a pretty inspirational game.I believe his personality and standards will have a hugely positive influence on this team and help restore its self belief.
Call me delusional,but what is the point if you’re not harbouring a little optimism.
I’m going out on a limb here - we will beat the Storm this weekend.
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Aami park is a pretty good venue, much better than Olympic Park.
Easy walking distance to the CBD or Richmond, so plenty of scope for a few drinks and a good meal pre and/or post game.
I’m going out on a limb here - we will beat the Storm this weekend.
I think ultimately it comes down to Sheens' selections. If he'd made the switch to Wakeham vs the Dogs i'm confident we would have won.
If he drops Nofa and AD then it's a good start. I'd be thinking very hard about playing Matamua this week too.
Sorry but I think we get spanked. Young Storm half getting a shot, Munster makes a return from injury and the Storm are off to a terrible start.
This is a great set-up for the Tigers to play a team back into form again.
Please, please, please let me be wrong
I feel it in my bones… Though it depends on the team line up. Can’t wait for 4pm to come around.I’m going out on a limb here - we will beat the Storm this weekend.
I think we beat Melbourne on Friday, they are depleted injury wise and we are completing sets at 65%. If we improve that to 80% we probably win this one. If Munster and Hughes were playing I'd say we might struggle, but surely passes will start sticking
And you are due a winner Jedi.I think we beat Melbourne on Friday, they are depleted injury wise and we are completing sets at 65%. If we improve that to 80% we probably win this one. If Munster and Hughes were playing I'd say we might struggle, but surely passes will start sticking
@russtutty63 Share your optimism.
The coaching staff identified we had issues in the forwards and recruited well to rectify. It appears they made a bet that with an improved forward pack, it would open Brooks and Douehi to play their natural games.
From the first three games, it is evident that these players are suffering from PMS (Post Madge Syndrome). You can see in Api's comments post game in relation to players not being use to playing front foot footy. I think the playmakers (outside of Api) are inside their heads when they are playing. They seem to be overthinking the plays, trying too hard and not being able to play and see what is in-front of them.
In any organisation, you might solve a problem only to identify that it uncovers a whole other issue. Now we could argue about whether or not Brooks/Douehi/Laurie already an issue prior to the improvement in the forward pack. Yet it is very clear how acute the issue is once the club has some decent go forward.
If the problem isn't solved, I have no doubt the club will waste no time going to market to resolve it (i.e. Moses or whoever). You can see already that they are willing to rectify and move things around to find a winning combination at the spine (i.e. Wakeham). None of the spine (outside of Api) are signed long term and so the club are not 'stuck' with any of these players.
So for me, I see evolution which will eventually manifest itself into improvement on the field. I didn't have this hope from Madge as I felt he was rooted to a philosophy and style which the game had past by.
The absolute hair on fire approach from a section of our fans (and media), while understandable is misplaced, with many losing their patience with the club.
The only way to remain patient is to be optimistic, so I am choosing optimism.
Nice one Joel. And we must be a decent show if we improve, and there’s plenty of scope for that. The Storm will be as keen as mustard to be better than what they’ve been but so it’s pretty much up for grabs imo.I’m going out on a limb here - we will beat the Storm this weekend.
Great post but I don’t think it’s all that optimistic. In fact I think what you’ve posted is very reasonable. Makes perfect sense to me anyway.@russtutty63 Share your optimism.
The coaching staff identified we had issues in the forwards and recruited well to rectify. It appears they made a bet that with an improved forward pack, it would open Brooks and Douehi to play their natural games.
From the first three games, it is evident that these players are suffering from PMS (Post Madge Syndrome). You can see in Api's comments post game in relation to players not being use to playing front foot footy. I think the playmakers (outside of Api) are inside their heads when they are playing. They seem to be overthinking the plays, trying too hard and not being able to play and see what is in-front of them.
In any organisation, you might solve a problem only to identify that it uncovers a whole other issue. Now we could argue about whether or not Brooks/Douehi/Laurie already an issue prior to the improvement in the forward pack. Yet it is very clear how acute the issue is once the club has some decent go forward.
If the problem isn't solved, I have no doubt the club will waste no time going to market to resolve it (i.e. Moses or whoever). You can see already that they are willing to rectify and move things around to find a winning combination at the spine (i.e. Wakeham). None of the spine (outside of Api) are signed long term and so the club are not 'stuck' with any of these players.
So for me, I see evolution which will eventually manifest itself into improvement on the field. I didn't have this hope from Madge as I felt he was rooted to a philosophy and style which the game had past by.
The absolute hair on fire approach from a section of our fans (and media), while understandable is misplaced, with many losing their patience with the club.
The only way to remain patient is to be optimistic, so I am choosing optimism.
