Projecting the Wests Tigers Round 1 team

So seven days from this point in time we'll be well in the midst of our first Team List Tuesday  for 2014. Two weeks of NRL trials are out of the way, and so are the Auckland Nines. All that's left now is the build up to our Round 1 fixture verses the Dragons on Sunday week.

With a host of players injured or on the rehab trail, it's hard to know what the Round 1 side will look like at this point. The side that beat Cronulla on Saturday night will probably closely resemble the Round 1 side to some degree.

Wests Tigers Side v Cronulla

James Tedesco, Marika Koroibete, Keith Lulia, Chris Lawrence, Pat Richards, Braith Anasta, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Matin Taupau, Bodene Thompson, Cory Paterson, Adam Blair   Interchange: Blake Austin, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jack Buchanan, James Gavet.

So far the only likely changes to the line up above appear to be the returns of both David Nofoaluma and Keith Galloway. Nofoaluma was originally named to face the Sharks last weekend but was withdrawn as precaution. The club statement also read that he was not in any doubt for Round 1. Prop, Galloway, was not named initially but was said to be an outside chance of playing at the weekend. However it was expected that he should be okay for the Round 1 fixture,

Also listed to return in Round 1 according to the Wests Tigers Injury Report  were Liam Fulton and Sauaso Sue. Fulton has not featured at all this season but would likely command a spot on the bench at the very least. Sue has had action this season making a very brief appearance a couple of weekend's back in a NSW Cup trial. Concussion meant he was ruled out of last weekend's final trial.

Centre Tim Simona is the only other player with a chance of making Round 1. The prognosis back before Christmas was that he would be looking at maybe Round 3-4. The rehab seems to have gone well and he is listed officially as due back in Round 1-2.

So without further delay, this is how i see us lining up next weekend.

Wests Tigers team v St George-Illawarra (Predicted)

1. James Tedesco,  2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Keith Lulia, 4. Chris Lawrence, 5. Pat Richards, 6. Braith Anasta, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Cory Paterson, 13. Adam Blair.  Interchange: 14. Liam Fulton, 15. Jack Buchanan, 16. Keith Galloway, 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila (18th man James Gavet)

Regular starters Keith Galloway and Liam Fulton start from the bench due to zero match fitness. I'd expect they'll both get somewhere between 30-40 minutes game time in two, maybe three stints (Galloway).

Blake Austin misses out and that's unfortunate. He's had a decent pre season but coach Mick Potter has indicated on numerous occasions that the vastly experienced Anasta will partner Brooks in the halves. Sausao Sue misses out too and like Marika Koroibete, he'll need to impress from the NSW Cup side.

So will I be right??? Who knows! We'll find out about 5-6pm next Tuesday. Not long to go now fellow Tiger fans!