2019 Season Preview: Wests Tigers

Michael Maguire has taken charge of a side desperate to play finals footy for the first time in a long time.

With a halfback on the rise, is 2019 the year they return to the top eight?

2019 Gains

Oliver Clark (Penrith Panthers, 2020), Robbie Farah (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2019), Ryan Matterson (Sydney Roosters, 2021), Moses Mbye (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2022), Paul Momirovski (Sydney Roosters, 2020), Zane Musgrove (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2021)

2019 Losses

JJ Collins (Canberra Raiders), Pita Godinet (released), Tim Grant (Penrith Panthers), Tuimoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos), Matt McIlwrick (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Taane Milne (released), Kevin Naiqama (St Helens RLFC), Bayley Sironen (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sauaso Sue (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)

2018 Recap

The Tigers started the 2018 season with a shock win over the red-hot title favourites the Roosters. They followed this up with a win over the Storm, a one-point controversial loss to Brisbane, then wins over Eels, Storm (again) and the Sea Eagles.

Five rounds in and the Tigers looked set for a return to finals footy. Ultimately they would fall by the wayside and finish three wins outside the eight.

Yes, they absolutely wasted their brilliant start to the season, but they set the scene for a successful future.

Then everything changes when the Ivan Cleary will he, won't he debacle reared its ugly head. The way Cleary went on during this time was an absolute farce and I don't blame the Tigers fans for being dirty at his departure.

On field, Luke Brooks had a breakout season and was named Dally M halfback of the year. Mahe Fonua returned to the NRL and became an instant cult hero after some insane performances.

Not all of the Tigers many recruits fired, with Reynolds and Lolohea failing to live up to expectation for a variety of reasons, but the returns of Marshall and Farah were brilliant side stories.

2018 always felt like a year of rebuilding and moving forward after the loss of three of their supposed big four. In that, they succeeded but everyone within the club will be disappointed to miss the finals following their start to the year.

Best Signing: Ryan Matterson

The Tigers back row has probably been their weakness in the past few seasons. In Matterson, they've signed a premiership-winning forward with huge upside.

The former Rooster may prove to be the best value for money signing of 2019. He will likely play big minutes and looks to be the most likely in the Tigers pack to play 80 minutes.

Can play in the centres if required but I believe Matterson adds something in both attack and defence for the Tigers and should play in the second row.

Matterson has played for City Origin, after only two NRL appearances, and shows plenty of promise. It's fair to say he'll add plenty of games to his 60 at the top level for his new club.

At 24 year's of age, he is reaching his prime years. The Tigers have landed a beauty here.

Young Gun/One To Watch: Jacob Liddle

22-year-old Jacob Liddle is a player most probably have heard. By the end of 2019, his name will be known to nearly everyone.

In a two-way battle for that bench utility spot with Josh Reynolds/Benji Marshall, I'd certainly be looking to maximise Liddle's 2019 as much as possible.

Toured by Robbie Farah himself as the heir to his number one jersey, I expect Liddle to add 10/15 games this year to his 27 NRL appearances to date.

Quick off the mark and blessed with impressive footwork, Liddle is set for a monster future in Tiger Town. He has the entire 2019 season to learn from the master that is Robbie Farah and should see plenty of game time.

One to watch!

Most Important Player: Luke Brooks

The reigning 2018 Dally M halfback of the year stepped up in a big way in 2018. He had to after the departures of Woods, Tedesco and Moses. Brooks easily outplayed the departed Moses.

Brooks had been predicted as a future star for many years and in 2018 he delivered. I expect much the same again this season after another full pre-season with his new halves partner.

His partnership with either Reynolds or Marshall may very well decide the Tigers season. I hate to deal in hyperbole but Brooks importance cannot be overstated.

If he plays well in the early rounds he will put the pressure on the NSW halves (and Keary) although I guarantee his attention will be firmly focused purely on his club side.

Brooks showed a brilliant kicking game last year, which again will be key as the new season unfolds. He has weapons outside him and should lay on plenty of try assists.

Recruitment Grade: C-

The Tigers haven't recruited badly by any stretch, but they've really only added two players who will feature early on in the season.

Ryan Matterson, as mentioned above, is a clever signing and should lift an often dominated Tigers pack, while Zane Musgrove should play some part.

Outside of that, there's not much doing. Truthfully the Tigers probably didn't need to recruit big given the majority of their 2018 side will run on in 2019 but they look to have lacked that star signing.

Naiqama was the only big out and is fairly easily replaced. I'm not sold on Marshall or Reynolds in the halves but there wasn't a huge amount of halves talent on the market.

They've improved the side with the addition of Matterson, but that's about it.

Prediction: 10th

Unfortunately for Tigers fans, I don't see their finals drought being broken in 2019.

They have a classy half in Luke Brooks and plenty of strike power out wide, with backs who can score from anywhere, while Moses Mbye is an underrated talent.

They look short up front, something that has become an unfortunate theme for the Tigers in recent times.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a horrible forward pack, but I just can't see it getting over the more fancied backs enough to allow Brooks and Mbye to run riot.

The Tigers need Josh Reynolds in career-best form to be a genuine shot at a top-eight spot.

They have the players to prove me, and the vast majority of fans, wrong, but there looks to be nine better teams.

They finished ninth last season and I don't believe they have strengthened enough to push further.