Tigers in freefall as season topples over the cliff face

Last night's 28-6 loss to Melbourne Storm may not have killed the Wests Tigers finals hopes just yet, but there's a growing feeling that it may as well have. A fourth loss in five games is enough evidence to suggest that the Tigers may have just run their race for 2014.

A crippling injury toll in the backline has only hastened the process of eliminating the Tigers from the race this season. James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Chris Lawrence and Braith Anasta are all long term absentees.  Last night Luke Brooks was withdrawn with a shoulder injury. Winger Pat Richards lasted no longer than 40 minutes before a hamstring injury. That's six of Wests starting seven gone. In fact last night the Tigers had a second rower playing on the wing. Another second rower forced to line up in the centres. Yet another second rower lined up at 5/8.  It's little wonder Wests struggled for anything even close to resembling cohesion!

Last night Melbourne took full advantage of Wests make shift backline, exposing them with flawless execution. The Tigers shouldn't be ashamed of their efforts. The Storm simply executed brilliantly. The problem with that though is that at this stage of the season sentiment counts for little and results count for everything. Right now the results just aren't there for the Tigers. Now they aren't just running out of time, they're now also running out of troops.

Luke Brooks is some chance of playing versus the Cowboys on Saturday night, he's expected to be named. Pat Richards though may struggle to do so. Scans will determine his immediate future but with a short turn around and a trek to Townsville on the cards, even the best case scenario for Richards may him still have him at long odds to play this weekend coming.

 It's possible that yet another back rower in Dene Halatau could be forced to move into the backs this week due to the fact that he can technically play as a centre. Somewhat foolishly, according to NRL laws, The Tigers could line up with a back line that looks like this:

1. Mitchell Moses

2. Sitaleki Akauola/Tim Simona

3. Bodene Thompson

4. Tim Simona/Dene Halatau

5. Keith Lulia

The problem with the NRL's laws with the second tier salary cap is that it prevents clubs from stock piling talent. And whilst that's a good thing, common sense needs to prevail. It's completely unfair of the NRL to force clubs to play players out of position to this extent. Now in the case of last night, there wasn't much the Tigers could do. However if the NRL tells the Tigers they can't replace Pat Richards with an actual winger, all they are doing is hurting the quality of their very own product.

Now sure the Tigers are probably being taught a lesson after the mid season departures of Marika Koroibete (Storm) and Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs), but let's be honest here. The club has been crippled to its knees at this point with injuries to outside backs and the NRL's stance on this issue has gone too far. All they achieve is here is lessening the quality of their own product. That's a stupid thing to do really.

Either way the scenario is simple for Wests Tigers. They MUST win up in Townsville on Saturday night. A loss would end the club's season almost certainly. The Tigers are in freefall. Is anyone or anything going to stop the slide???