NRL - Wests Tigers 2017 Season Review

Wests Tigers Season Review
 
Season Finish - 14th (7 wins, 17 losses, 413 Points Scored, 571 Against) 
 
Season Ranking 3/10 - It was a terrible season for the Tigers really when you consider they finished 2016 in 9th place and had a number of younger players expected to take the team to the next level. Their season was over really after a month, with Jason Taylor sacked, and Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods and James Tedesco all deciding to leave the Club. It was complete chaos for the first couple of months and Tigers’ fans deserved a lot better. The team actually played really hard in the back half of the year under Ivan Cleary, and competed better than most Clubs with nothing to play for. However, that still can't mask the fact it was a 6th straight season outside the finals at a time when things were expected to be looking up. 
 
Coach Ranking 7/10 (Ivan Cleary)  - I don't think Ivan Cleary could have done much to salvage this season. He took over a Club in turmoil off a 4-game losing streak and with some of their best players leaving. What I really liked about Cleary is he improved a number of the Club’s younger players significantly in the second half of the season and improved their defence. The Tigers have been a mess defensively for 5 years and, under Cleary, there were signs there that they were working better as a unit. 
 
Best Win (Round 1 - South Sydney Rabbitohs 18v Wests Tigers 34 @ ANZ Stadium) - No one could have envisaged such a lean season for the Tigers after they thumped the Bunnies in Round 1. On a wet night in Sydney, they played some scintillating attacking football to rack up 7 tries against a stunned Rabbitohs’ side. 
 
Worst Loss (Round 3 - Canberra Raiders 46 v Wests Tigers 6 @ GIO Stadium)  - This loss proved the end of Jason Taylor’s reign at the club. The Tigers were bullied in this game through the middle, giving up a number of soft tries against a side that knew how to target their weaknesses. 
 
Best Player - James Tedesco - I actually thought Tedesco was below his best this year, however I find it hard to make a case for any other player. David Nofoaluma won the Tigers Player of the Year, however, for me, his defence was very suspect and he was responsible for too many tries. Tedesco played hard until the end, despite joining the Roosters, and will be impossible to replace next season. 
 
Most Disappointing Player - Aaron Woods - His performances were generally pretty strong, however I thought his leadership left a lot to be desired at a crucial time for the Club. At a time when he should have been pulling everyone together, he was partly responsible for tearing it all apart. He won't missed by many Tigers’ fans. 
 
2018 Prospects (Sceptical) - I'm not convinced by the Tigers recruitment drive. In the likes of Josh Reynolds, Chris McQueen and Ben Matulino they are picking up 3 players coming off poor seasons at Clubs that failed to fire. I like the signing of Russell Packer, as the Tigers desperately need more aggression in the forwards. Benji Marshall will add depth to the Club and give the fan base a boost. I trust Ivan Cleary; however this roster has way too many question marks about it for me with the loss of Tedesco, Moses and Woods to say they will improve next year.