Over the next 4 weeks Tiger Nation will present its own view on the health of the Wests Tigers. In a weekly look at the club, we'll focus on Youth development, Coaching philosophy, Boardroom/Admin and Supporters/home grounds. The idea being to assess the strengths, weaknesses and potential of each department as the Wests Tigers create their own new beginning.
Much has been said and done in the first 14 years of the joint venture. 2014 will mark our 15th season in the NRL. With only one Grand Final win to our name and a couple of other finals appearance, it's fair to say Wests Tigers have under achieved. The club though has done a lot of good off the field. Wests Tigers is today one of the country's leading sporting brands, both commercially with sponsors and in retail value.
Today's focus though is Youth Development. It seems for the past 3 or 4 years, the Wests Tigers have struck it lucky when it comes to finding a good quality youngster. In 2013 the Wests Tigers have found themselves in the best position youth wise since 2003. 2003 was the year that amongst others Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall and Liam Fulton all made their debuts for the club. This year the Tigers have debuted 8 players in total.
2013 Debuts
Sitaleki Akouola
Jack Buchanan
Jarred Farlow
Joel Luani
David Nofoaluma
Ava Seumanafagai
Shaun Spence
Sauaso Sue
The 2013 squad has also seen a group of players who themselves came into this season without even 10 games in the top grade prior.
Players with fewer than 10 game experience prior to 2013 season
Marika Koroibete
Jacob Miller (now of Hull)
Tim Simona
Curtis Sironen
James Tedesco
Sean Meaney
Further to that list, players such as Ben Murdoch-Masila and Aaron Woods, who have been around for 2-3 years, are still yet to reach their potential and have further development to come in the next couple of years.
You get the point here. That's 14 players on the books of Wests Tigers (not including Jacob Miller) who would still be considered young and with their best years in advance. Wests Tigers are clearly a young club. At one point this season the average age of the first grade team was just over 22 years old. Next season CEO Grant Mayer says the average age of the squad will be between 23-24 years old.
What we've seen here is a group of young players who aren't simply making up the numbers. Each one appears to have some potential in them. James Tedesco and Curtis Sironen were both injury replacements in the City Origin squad this season. Whilst it was perhaps before their time, it did show what regard the young duo were held in. Aaron Woods of course joined Robbie Farah in the NSW Origin team for two games. David Nofoaluma and Tim Simona have impressed on regular occasions this season. The work rate of Sauaso Sue and Jack Buchanan has been immense Curtis Sironen and Marika Koroibete possess the sort of talent that can't coached. Natual ability, The challenge for the club with all these youngsters is to get the best out of their potential. Below is summary of some of the key youngsters and a look ahead to what their futures may hold
James Tedesco
Past and Present
James Tedesco has been a real positive in 2013. Thrust into the spotlight back in round 1, 2012, Tedesco tore his ACL just 30 minutes in to the season and missed the entire 2012 season. So technically, 2013 is a debut year for the fullback. His play this season has been modest in attack. Having started the year on the wing, Tedesco shifted to fullback once Tim Moltzen ironically tore his ACL. The attacking flair of his junior days hasn't materialized yet but the revelation today that Tedesco has been playing with a broken bone in his leg supports a slightly subdued attacking performance in 2013. Defensively though He has been great. His performance in defence in recent weeks has been terrific. Highlighted by an exceptional performance against the Cowboys at a bogged Leichhardt Oval back in round 11.
The Future
Tedesco has shown enough to warrant being labelled the number 1 option at fullback long term. He shows all the basic necessary tools to become a top fullback. He can catch a high ball, his support play shows promise, his defensive positioning is usually spot on and he can tackle one on one like a good fullback should. You get the feeling with an injury free preparation for 2014 that he can only get better and better and begin to realize some of the promise he has shown. Best of all, the attacking skills should improve with time.
Curtis Sironen
Past and Present
Curtis Sironen thankfully appears to be one of those "Son of a gun" types who will forge his own path in the NRL. Sironen's experience in the NRL has seen him amass a few games in 2012 and around 3 quarters of the 2013 season (after a delayed start to 2013 due to a shoulder reconstruction). His time so far has seen him play mostly in the halves. Whilst he hasn't set the world on fire by any means, he appears to have the attributes to become a real player in the second row. Height and weight wise, Sironen sits along Sonny Bill Williams and it appears he's destined to play a similar role for the Tigers possibly as early as next season.
The Future
Sironen WILL end up in the back row. He is destined for it. His height, mobility and strength mean he will be a real weapon there moving forward. Coach Mick Potters reckons he's not far off now. In recent weeks Sironen has spent more time in the back row, in preparation for a full time switch. My reckoning suggests to watch this space in the next 12 months. You get the feeling he will come on real strong.
Tim Simona
Past and Present
Tim Simona actually made his debut back in 2011, as a slightly built centre vs the Knights at Leichhardt Oval. Only a few appearances followed under coach Tim Sheens. That was until this season when a crippling injury toll that claimed Blake Ayshford and Chris Lawrence amongst others gave Simona his chance. A breakout game against the Panthers in round 13 set the tone for Tim to become the best performing back at the club in 2013 with 8 tries in 13 games so far. Simona's speed and acceleration have been a joy to watch.
The Future
2014 will see Simona most likely become a key cog in the Tigers attack. Whether he plays centre of wing remains to be seen. Simona though brings speed and an ability to finish a try. With a bit of luck, his trajectory will continue to rise.
Marika Koroibete
Past and Present
Marika Koroibete is exactly what any club dreams of having. A powerfully built, speedy winger who knows no fear. Marika's potential has massive upside for a guy with such minimal footballing experience. He's definitely a work in progress. Defensively he has things to work on, such as catching the high ball and reading the oncoming traffic headed his way. He announced himself in stunning fashion versus the Eels back in 2012 when he scored 4 tries in one game with some powerful and blistering running. 2013 hasn't been quite so productive. He's still looked an asset in attack but injuries have stalled his progress for now.
The Future
Koroibete definitely has a future in the NRL. Hopefully that remains at the Tigers. He's under contract for next season but you get the feeling his development will dictate his future. He's rocks and diamonds right now. So long as he shows improvement, there's no reason he won't follow the path of Uate of the Knights and become a real force.
Sauaso Sue
Past and Present
Sauaso is a Wests Magpies junior who has hit the ground running with some strong performances in his debut season. Sauaso is known for some strong, mobile ball running and an impressive workrate in defence. Off the field and the coaching staff have praised his commitment and professionalism.
The Future
Sauaso appears to have a great future at the club. For someone who possesses such on field ability, mixed with a determination and professionalism off the field and on the training paddock, you feel the sky is endless. I suspect he'll become a mainstay of the pack in the years ahead.
David Nofoaluma
Past and Present
David's NRL career has hit the ground running and ended up with try after try. That's how well he's done. 8 tries in 11 games in a debut season is an exceptional record. The manner of his tries is equally impressive. Highlighted no doubt by the NFL-esque try he scored a few Monday night's back versus the Sea Eagles. Most impressively, Nofoaluma has basically replicated his NYC form in the higher standard of the NRL. Which means he's making 5-6 tackle busts a game and usually well in excess of 100 metres a game too. He has a proven a VERY reliable finisher.
The Future
Sky appears the limit for David. For a guy of just 19 years of age, his potential has massive upside. He'll get quicker, stronger and smarter yet. He also has the ability to play in the centres and with his tackle breaking ability, this may be where he ends up on a permanent basis.
Jack Buchanan
Past and Present
Jack joined the Wests Tigers from the Dragons this season. He was thrust into a starting role after Aaron Woods missed the beginning of the season with injury. A further injury to Keith Galloway meant Buchanan was doing the work of a seasoned veteran. I thought he did his job well. Naturally his performances fell a little but for a guy with so little first grade behind him, it was admirable. To this point late in his debut season, Jack's proving ever reliable and he looks a keeper.
The Future
The future looks real healthy for Jack. His workrate is good and his frame suggests that once he fills out, he will continue to be an asset. His hard work and desire are good signs that he's switched on a ready to make a name for himself.
2014
There's little doubt that 2013 will mark the end of one era and herald in the beginning of another. With the high profile departure of Benji Marshall, the Tigers will almost obtain a new identity. An identity that will centre in on the young guns. The players I featured above will be vital in the next few years. The Tigers though will benefit from another influx of youth. Already dynamic halves duo Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses have been touted as the long term future stars for the club. Others though will play their part. Hooker Joel Luani who's debuted this season, figures to play a bigger role. The young 20 year old will be Robbie Farah's understudy and the man most likely to assume his mantle in the long term.
Of the others, the Wests Tigers U20's Nathan Brown, Kyle Lovett, Manaia Rudolph and Kurtis Rowe all look like potential first graders. Then there's the SG Ball group. Balmain has won the past two SG Ball titles and National titles, whilst the Wests Magpies also made the finals this year. Names such as Rhys Armstrong, Matt Woods and even Benji Marshall younger brother Jeremy are names with much promise.
2014 and Beyond
Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer has already indicated much faith will be placed on the ability to nurture and further develop the young players coming through the system. It is vitally important that the results of this current "coaching structure review" highlight the ability to best nurture these young players in order to harness their talents and to enhance their abilities. The future success of Wests Tigers relies on getting this process correct. Ultimately the club needs to look at long term investment of an academy, most likely in the Campbelltown region. Ideally such an academy would allow the club to continue to foster the needs of its young players and enhance their abilities. It would also tie much valuable resources for Wests Tigers in a growing catchment area of Western Sydney. The upside potential here is enormous!
To matters more in real time, the Wests Tigers have now invested a lot of time into their youth for the past 5 or 6 years, perhaps longer. Now is the time for the club to solidify that commitment. The time has come for the club to say that this is they way we do it. In 2014 the like of James Tedesco, Tim Simona, David Nofoaluma, Curtis Sironen, Marika Koroibete, Sauaso Sue and Jack Buchanan will be relied upon more than ever. More will also be expected of them all. This though is not a one way street. In order for their talents to flourish, those "coaching structure review" results will be key. We have to get it right. We can't afford to get it wrong and watch these talents stall. Hopefully the results of this commitment continue to bare fruit. If it does, Wests Tigers will reap the rewards and turn the next 15 years into a polar opposite of their first 15 years.
Over to you Mick Potter. Good luck!
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