Wests are locked in a log jam that sees them lie in 10th spot, but actually equal 7th, with for and against sending the Tigers down to the bottom of a log jam of sides between 22-20 points. Last weekend's belting at the hands of Manly (40-8) certainly did the side no favours and Wests now need to one of two things. They'll either need to win the lions share of their remaining games or win by big margins in at least a few of 4-5 games and hope the differential swings in their favour.
A win this weekend will be no easy feat. The Bulldogs sit joint top of the ladder and with the second best defensive record in the NRL. The Bulldogs haven't always been given the respect they deserve this season but results don't lie. Coach Des Hasler has them playing as a tough and determined team who are getting the job done more often than not. Their forward pack is relentless and is their heartbeat.
For the Tigers, another reshuffle of the deck occurs as the side makes way for the return of both Tim Simona and Bodene Thompson. Simona effectively replaces David Nofoaluma (ACL injury), returning in the centres and pushing Keith Lulia out to the wing. Thompson's return (suspension) sees him back in the starting team and forcing one time Bulldog Dene Halatau back to the bench with Sauaso Sue as 18th man.
The good news for Wests this week is that it has been a mostly disruption free week. No origin distractions mean that Captain Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods have had a full week with the team which should help. Pat Richards has been named to play this week despite a groin injury but a decision on his fitness is likely to occur later in the week. The club is hopeful that he'll still play and will wait on the results of his progress before making a call.
So how will Wests go about beating the Bulldogs?? Well you can be sure that it'll start with worrying about their own game. The Tigers have been as poor as they have all season this past fortnight so rectifying poor discipline (errors and penalties) will be key. At times the Tigers have been poor with pass selection and trying to be flamboyant before they've earned the right with the football. Gifting your opponents possession is a guaranteed way to lose football games. Playing simpler, smarter and safer will go a long way to a better performance.
The Bulldogs strength is obviously their forward pack led by James Graham, Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams and an underrated bench. Stopping their roll on will be crucial, as will stopping the second phase play opportunities, allowing less time for the likes of Trent Hodkinson and yes, Tony Williams to create the opportunities. Expect the likes of Graham, Michael Ennis and Greg Eastwood to try and intimidate the likes of Brooks and Mitchell Moses. The Tigers must find a way to ask questions of the Bulldogs defence though. Simply hoping for the best and for the Bulldogs to be off their game is an unlikely probability.
With the second best defensive unit in the competition this is probably easier said than done. However with Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks and Blake Austin all capable of doing so, there's no alternative here. The Tigers must be more effective in attack if they're to stand a chance. Wests will need to be better with their fifth tackle options, especially when attacking the line. In recent weeks the Tigers have failed to build pressure on the opposition line, in some cases failing to even make it to the fifth tackle after turning the ball over. That cannot happen on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday looms as a tough ask but an improved performance may not even be enough to earn the two points sorely needed for the Tigers. Another loss though and the season begins to smell a little like 2015 preparation time.
WESTS TIGERS TEAM V CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
1 Mitchell Moses
2 Keith Lulia
3 Tim Simona
4 Chris Lawrence
5 Pat Richards
6 Blake Austin
7 Luke Brooks
8 Aaron Woods
9 Robbie Farah (c)
10 Keith Galloway
11 Curtis Sironen
12 Bodene Thompson
13 Adam Blair
Interchange
14 Ava Seumanufagai
15 Martin Taupau
16 Dene Halatau
17 James Gavet
18 Sauaso Sue
Coach: Mick Potter
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