Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm at CommBank Stadium, 7.35pm
Predicted Tigers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Oliver Gildart 4. James Roberts 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Alex Twal 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Tyrone Peachey 14. Luke Garner 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Alex Seyfarth
Jacob Liddlewill miss the first four-six weeks of the season after suffering a knee injury meaning Jake Simpkin will start, while James Tamou will miss Round 1 after taking the early guilty plea for a dangerous tackle. Gun fullback Daine Laurie is back in action after suffering a nasty ankle injury that cut short his 2021 campaign. The outside backs are set for some changes this season with English recruit Oliver Gildartjoining the club as well new signing Starford To’a also in the mix. Gildart will likely come right into centres, while veteran winger Ken Maumalo could be pushed into the centres too given other centre options Adam Doueihi and Tommy Talau are sidelined until mid-season with knee injuries. That would allow 21-year-old T’oa to play on the wing with Asu Kepaoa also sidelined until mid-season with a pectoral injury. Jackson Hastings starred in the second trial and will make his NRL return at five-eighth while Doueihi recovers from an ACL injury. The rumours about Luke Brooksjoining the Knights are all but over and he will wear the No.7 jersey for the Tigers. Luke Garner is due back from an ankle injury in Round 1, joining Thomas Mikaele will be on the bench. The versatility of new recruit Tyrone Peachey won’t cost him a starting spot with the former Titan set to play at lock. Shawn Blore is out for the season with an ACL injury with his place on the bench set to be taken by Alex Seyfarth.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Maumalo a chance for centre with To’a on the wing?
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Maumalo a chance for centre with To’a on the wing?
Maumalo is on the flank every day of the week.Can’t waste the tall timber by pushing him in.Maybe there is a case for To’a to centre,but would stick with Roberts and Gildart.
Maumalo a chance for centre with To’a on the wing?
Maumalo is on the flank every day of the week.Can’t waste the tall timber by pushing him in.Maybe there is a case for To’a to centre,but would stick with Roberts and Gildart.
Yeah makes much more sense to leave him on the wing.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Maumalo a chance for centre with To’a on the wing?
Maumalo is on the flank every day of the week.Can’t waste the tall timber by pushing him in.Maybe there is a case for To’a to centre,but would stick with Roberts and Gildart.
Yeah makes much more sense to leave him on the wing.
True,and also the dirty metres he makes bringing the ball out.
Maumalo a chance for centre with To’a on the wing?
Not a chance if it was up to me.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
the mail I got a dew weeks ago and posted on here was Maumalo for centre and to'a on wing it came from another club and it was before Manly trial
will be interesting to see if true
Better to captain from the centres than the wing
Top 8 2023
the mail I got a dew weeks ago and posted on here was Maumalo for centre and to'a on wing it came from another club and it was before Manly trial
will be interesting to see if true
I can't imagine it happening.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
James Roberts is looking stronger than last year.
Much bigger than Gildart
Still can't believe he is still only 29yo.
Maybe he might surprise some this year
Top 8 2023
James Roberts is looking stronger than last year.
Much bigger than Gildart
Still can't believe he is still only 29yo.
Maybe he might surprise some this year
Was solid and strong in the Roosters trial.Got no quality ball last year.I believe he will surprise if given opportunity and still has plenty of pace to burn.Nice endorsement from his inside man!
James Roberts is looking stronger than last year.
Much bigger than Gildart
Still can't believe he is still only 29yo.
Maybe he might surprise some this year
I think he’ll go OK with Hastings feeding him early ball in space.
I agree. He's never going to be the world's best defender but we used him completely wrong last year. Both he and Gildart need early ball to use their speed.
Maumalo a chance for centre with To’a on the wing?
Maumalo at centre ......wow ...tough gig defending at centre against a team like Melbourne ...leave him on the wing
