BY CURTIS WOODWARD

Wests Tigers
Coach: Jason Taylor
Pre-season: Auckland Nines February 4th and 5th, v Dragons February 11th

 
What they’ll get right: Predicting a side to come 9th means you can’t figure out whether they’re a top 8 team or not. Coach Jason Taylor wants consistency in performance and they will improve out of sight from where they were in round 1, 2016. Whether that means enough wins to sneak into the playoffs is another question. Missing the finals isn’t the end of the world for Wests Tigers. They’re only going to get better.

What they’ll get wrong: Media speculation about their “big four” is going to be ridiculous. They can put it to one side but what a test for these kids, especially Luke Brooks and Mitch Moses. Pressure is a hell of a thing but you can’t buy groceries on potential forever. Huge doubt whether they can handle the deep end this year.

It’s a big year for: Jason Taylor walked into a warzone and put the responsibility on himself by showing club legend Robbie Farah the door. His next job is somehow steering a ship and keeping Aaron Woods, James Tedesco, Brooks and Moses on board.

Back at it today with a big session! 💪#RisingUp pic.twitter.com/MdkalCYIzi

— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) January 9, 2017

Most improved: Mitchell Moses
MVP: James Tedesco
Most consistent: Elijah Taylor

Who says Mondays have to be tough…

All smiles from @Ava_seu and Rod Griffin at training today! 👍 #RisingUp pic.twitter.com/vhaXN3qZTV

— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) January 9, 2017

Prediction – 9th
Will be there or thereabouts so don’t fret West Tigers fans – they could sneak into the playoffs.

Possible team:
1 James Tedesco
2 Kevin Naiqama
3 Jamal Idris
4 Tim Simona
5 David Nofoaluma
6 Mitchell Moses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jYrg-AzWO8

7 Luke Brooks
8 Aaron Woods
9 Matt Ballin
10 Tim Grant
11 Josh Aloiai
12 Chris Lawrence
13 Elijah Taylor

14 Ava Seumanufagai
15 Sauaso Sue
16 JJ Felise
17 Jordan Rankin

@woodward_curtis