It was positives all round last night for the Wests Tigers as they returned to the scene of their Round 1 let down against the Dragons. In their toughest fixture of the season so far, the Tigers simply out enthused, bullied and pulled all the strings in defeating Souths 25-16.
The Tigers showed tremendous commitment and discipline to control the game against a disappointing South Sydney side. Led by a strong forward pack showing by Aaron Woods, Keith Galloway, Martin Taupau and Adam Blair, the Tigers play makers were allowed the room to move and Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks and Braith Anasta did their jobs as the Tigers set up the win in the opening 54 minutes, leading 24-6 at that point.
What perhaps was most impressive though was the physicality of the Wests Tigers. The forwards may have led the way but no one took a backward step. Not even the youngest Tiger, Luke Brooks. The Tigers simply bullied the Bunnies out of the game and they didn't like it one bit, resorting to several questionable tactics as the Bunnies appeared to lose their composure. The Tigers though were the opposite. Their aggression was controlled. When tempers flared, they kept their heads.
It was a game with plenty of talking points. The biggest of them several high tackles which were reported. Of most concern will be for Bunnies Bryson Goodwin and perhaps George Burgess. Both players were reported for high tackles on Tigers fullback James Tedesco. Goodwin in my mind has the most to worry about. If he had been sent off, i wouldn't have blinked twice. The replay of the tackle will do him no favours.
Tigers Robbie Farah, Tim Simona and James Gavet were all placed on report too. Farah and Simona should survive a tap from the NRL's match review panel, Gavet though may face further sanction for raising his knees into a tackle.
Away from all the controversy though, the Tigers claimed arguably their biggest scalp yet under coach Mick Potter. Significantly,this was a win that will give the club the respect its been lacking this season. This was also a win that should give the club and particularly its younger players, the self belief to belong at this level. James Tedesco and Luke Brooks were both brilliant when it mattered last night. Their combination already drawing comparisons to Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater! They weren't the only ones to impress. Aaron Woods, Martin Taupau and Tim Simona also stood up and gave the Bunnies issues all night.
Perhaps the biggest compliment for the Tigers though was the frustration that the Bunnies showed and with it, the composure they lacked as they failed to deal with the Tigers controlling the game. It was a mature performance from the the lesser credentialed Tigers and one that brings new found optimism in Tigertown just 3 weeks in to the 2014 NRL season.
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