The Tigers enter the finals in what could be described as patchy form. Three wins from their last five ended any chance the Tigers had of securing a place in the top 4. The Broncos have also won three of their last five games but were handsomely beaten by the high-flying Bulldogs in Round 26.
It has taken time for Mitch Moses, Luke Brooks and Nathan Brown to slot into the team as all three have only played 15 games each which has brought a lack of consistency to the side. Moses of course has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, but the injury blow has been softened by the club being able to call on 2012 Jack Gibson Medal winner (Toyota Cup Grand Final Man of the Match) Matt Mulcahy. The Tigers also finished the year as one of the best defensive sides in the U20's competition, but for one reason or another they pick and choose when they will do the hard yards and rip in in defence.
I was fortunate enough to attend the last clash between the Wests Tigers and the Broncos at Suncorp in Round 14 and it was by far the most complete performance i have seen from a Wests Tigers under 20's side (2008-2013). Can the team overcome the loss of Mitch Moses and advance to the second week of the finals? I believe they can. On that particular night Matt Mulcahy played five-eighth and Luke Brooks played halfback with Mitch Moses on the bench. Since that time, Kurtis Rowe has returned to the fullback position and has hit top form.
In my opinion this game will be won or lost by the Tigers, more so than being influenced by the Broncos. In their last encounter the Broncos shot out to an early 10-0 by attacking the flanks of the Tigers. The Tigers stuck to their gameplan from the 20th minute mark and targeted the Broncos through the middle (arguably their strength). The Tigers tore the Broncos defence open with short balls and multiple runners. On this night Luke Brooks starred with 3 tries, 2 line breaks and 3 line break assists. For the Tigers to win this game, look at them to again target the big,mobile forward pack of the Broncos especially as it is a day game. Kyle Lovett, Brenden Santi and Fosio Tatola were instrumental in the win and often found themselves breaking through the first line of the defence.
On this night Manaia Cherrington had a quiet game and Kurtis Rowe played on the wing and Nathan Brown was ruled out through injury. Add these three form players in around the ruck and the Tigers could put on a score, IF they turn up to play and are willing to put in for 80 minutes and follow the gameplan given to them by Toddy Payten.
As i touched on earlier, the Broncos' strength is in their forwards with Molo, Timu and Ofahengaue playing a part in their top 8 finish. The Broncos, on that night fielded a stronger lineup than they will this weekend but they cannot be underestimated and will "pull the Tigers pants down" if they decide to turn up and go through the motions.
A lot of talk and hype around this Tigers side is mainly aimed at Brooks and Moses, in my opinion the side's strength is in the forwards. The forward pack consists of hard workers Santi, Lovett, underrated prop Andy Fiagatusa and 2013 SG Ball premiership winner Fosio Tatola. Add in the club's best hooker prospect since Robbie Farah in Manaia Cherrington and a dynamic ballrunner and offloader in Nathan Brown and you start to see why they are so important. When these guys lay the platform, they provide Luke Brooks the time, space and field position to work his magic, which we have all seen. If we follow the same gameplan we used in Round 14, Holden Cup Top Tryscorer Kurtis Rowe WILL finish the game with at least 2 tries.
As i wrote in my earlier article regarding Luke Brooks before he made his NRL debut, in the Round 14 clash he created 3 line breaks from his no look passes to the flat runner. On that night Caleb Timu had an unusually poor game by his standards, so i predict him to have a massive impact off the bench for the Broncos.
Prediction: If the Tigers turn up and play for 80 minutes, as well as follow the gamplan they should win by a fair margin. If the Tigers don't turn up and don't put in for 80 minutes they may well be shocked by a Broncos team who put in 100% effort week in, week out, they may well have a Mad Monday to look forward to. Tigers to win 30-14 with Kurtis Rowe to continue his tryscoring form.
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