Ins
William Kei (2021), Daine Laurie (Penrith Panthers, 2023), Joe Ofahengaue (Brisbane Broncos, 2023), James Roberts (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2022), Tukimihia Simpkins (North Queensland Cowboys, 2023), James Tamou (Penrith Panthers, 2022), Kelma Tuilagi (2021), Stefano Utoikamanu (Parramatta Eels, 2023)
Outs
Josh Aloiai (Manly Sea Eagles), Kane Bradley (North Queensland Cowboys), Oliver Clark (released), Matthew Eisenhuth (Penrith Panthers), Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), Robert Jennings (Penrith Panthers), Chris Lawrence (Retired), Benji Marshall (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sam McIntyre (Gold Coast Titans), Chris McQueen, Paul Momirovski (Penrith Panthers), Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Dylan Smith (released), Elijah Taylor (Salford Red Devils)
The Tigers were hugely underwhelming in 2020, finishing three games plus points differential out of finals contention. Considering some of the names they added and two wins from their opening three fixtures, their finishing result simply wasn't good enough.
Harry Grant was the stand out, which is unfortunate given he returned to Melbourne after his loan. David Nofoaluma had a career best year becoming almost unstoppable at times. The ease in which he bodied Chad Townsend en route to scoring a try from a drop out has to be seen to be believed.
BJ Leilua was a huge name signing but had a hugely disappointing season. His brother though showed great signs of delivering on his undoubted talent. Expect a huge 2021 from the younger brother.
Elsewhere Alex Twal was a rock and Shawn Blore looks to have a big future. The big name players such as Marshall, Brooks and Mbye all had moments but largely underdelivered.
The Tigers have recruited very well heading into the 2020 season. The late signature of Daine Laurie may prove to be the most important with the youngster starring at fullback in his first trial. I expect him to be the first choice fullback sooner rather than later.
James Roberts is a no loss signing. His speed and experience will make the Tigers backline far more potent. I hope the Jet can re-find his best form. There are few players more exciting when on song than Roberts.
Ofahengaue and Utoikamanu add size and power to a forward pack that went backwards at times in 2020. James Tamou is the marquee signing though. He'll lead the way on and off the park after a giant season for the Panthers.
Josh Aloiai is the only major loss. He started to look the part in 2020 before forcing a ridiculous move to the Sea Eagles via social media. The club were never going to be able to keep Harry Grant. Momirovski is a talented youngster but worth giving up to secure their fullback.
SEE ZT's own Dan Nichols in This Week's RLO Episode: Round One Celebration!
Where does everybody fit?: The Tigers have literally almost a million dollars worth of headaches. Where do they play Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi? Both players are capable of playing across multiple positions but neither are must pick in any.
Doueihi had his moments at fullback, but for mine Laurie deserves first shot. Mbye looked good in the centres but the Tigers have an all Origin representative centre pairing. You can't play both off the bench. One will likely play in the halves, but which/either?
Michael McGuire has some big decisions to make. I don't think any side is harder to predict for round one (then two when Doueihi returns) than the Tigers.
Speed across the backline: For the first time in a long time the Tigers possess a back line that should provide plenty of nightmares for opposition defensive lines.
Laurie is quick, elusive and has plenty of ball skills. Nofoaluma is a wrecking ball and Tigers fans will be hoping he can continue his 2020 form. Tommy Talau showed plenty in his short stint in first grade. My guess is he'll score plenty of tries this year. Despite his less than stellar 2020, I'm still backing BJ Leilua to deliver. He has plenty of talent and should be better for a year in the system.
In Roberts they've added a player capable of literally anything. There are going to be games where this centre pairing rip teams to shreds, but unfortunately there will be games where these two frustrate those in Tiger Town. Should be fun to watch though.
Brooks HAS to deliver: Fair to say that Luke Brooks has struggled to live up to the hype his magnificent debut created. Each year the Tigers look to their halfback to take them back to the finals but he is yet to deliver a single finals appearance.
Unfortunately he enters 2021 under the pressure he has put himself under. On the back of a horror 2020 that saw him contribute only three try assists, a ridiculous statement about the Tigers "unleashing" Brooks circulated has put him under more undue pressure. The club moved Benji on putting 100% faith behind Brooks. Simply put, he has to repay that faith and deliver.
14th
On paper the Tigers have a super exciting 1-5, a few star forwards and a brilliant coach. Unfortunately though I'm still not sold on Luke Brooks, especially without a standout option at six.
Jacob Liddle looks like the option at nine, with respect to the youngster, he is no Harry Grant.
It's asking too much off a halfback with no finals experience to take a team with no recognised six, nine and a rookie fullback to the finals.
EVERYTHING would have to go right for them to feature come September. Leilua and Roberts would both have to produce career best form. Liddle would have to become Grant overnight, while Moses would have to play well beyond his last few seasons at six.
I can see plenty of fun wins on the back of big scores. I can't however see a serious finals run. They'll cause some upsets but anything above 10th would be a huge win this season.