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Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 28/08/08 | 0
AUDIO - Andrew Moore's Round 25 preview
AUDIO - We're not out of it yet: Hodgson
Wests Tigers v Sharks
Friday 29th August, 7.35pm
Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Sean Hampstead
HEAD TO HEAD
Tigers 11 wins, Sharks 4 wins, 1 drawn.
FORM GUIDE
Tigers: WWLLLWWLBWWLWLLLBLWLWWLL
Sharks: WWLWWLLBWWLWWWWWBLWLWWLW
Languishing in 12th spot on the ladder, the Tigers know a loss against the Sharks will spell an end to their season. Back-to-back loses against Parramatta and the Sea Eagles have sent their finals charge into a nose dive, with coach Tim Sheens already vowing ‘heads will roll’ at the end of the season.
The Sharks are perfectly poised at equal-second on the ladder – but the Tigers do have some aces up their sleeves.
The first is their record against the Shire boys. Astoundingly, the Tigers have won the past nine (yes, nine) encounters between the teams.
Secondly, the home-ground advantage at Leichhardt Oval should count heavily in their favour.
Thirdly, the Sharks are in damage control.
Just when we thought all was peachy for the Cronulla contingent – Greg Bird (their star player, no less) went and dug himself into one hell of a hole.
This isn’t the place to get into the dirty details – but the tumultuous week can’t have had a positive influence on the Sharks – not to mention they’ll be without their gun lock.
But before you go writing them off, cast your minds back a few weeks to when Todd Carney was punted from the Raiders. Rather than divide the team, it united them – and they’ve been unstoppable ever since.
The Sharks were clinical in disposing of the fourth-placed Roosters last week – keeping them scoreless with some desperate goal line defence.
With Bird now stood down indefinitely, Brett Seymour will return to the five-eighth position. Brett Kearney will slot back into the fullback.
For the Tigers, centre Dean Collis has been ruled out with young Tim Moltzen to take his place. Robbie Farah will return to the No.9 jersey and John Morris to halfback.
THE BURNING QUESTION
How will the Sharks react to a week of turmoil and the loss of their in-form ball runner?
KEY MATCH UP
Chris Heighington v Fraser Anderson
Heighington has been a shining light for the Tigers this season. His dependability and consistency make him a player any NRL coach would jump at signing – if some of his teammates could turn up with his attitude week-in week-out the Tigers wouldn’t be pulling out the calculators with the finals looming.
The Sharks have built their success on the back of punishing defence, aggression and intimidation – and Greg Bird and Paul Gallen have been the backbone of this game plan.
With Bird now out of the equation, Anderson will need to really up the ante, running wide of the ruck and looking for offloads. The Tigers could be suspect defensively in the centres with Collis out – so expect the Sharks backrow to direct traffic at Moltzen and Lawrence.
COACHES CORNER
Tim Sheens has been ruthless in his assessment of his team’s form over the past fortnight – and he’ll be hoping that bit of ego-bruising has its desired effect.
The key for the Tigers will be attack. The Sharks shouldn’t put a pile of points on them, so if the likes of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Brett Hodgson can spark something in attack - the Tigers could keep themselves in touch.
The Sharks are masters of the dominant tackle and the Tigers will need to make sure they keep the one-out stuff to a minimum.
For the Sharks – they’ll just be content to tackle their way through this one. There’s every chance they’ll be distracted and unfocussed, but if they stick to their high percentage game plan of tight defence and set completions they should come out on top.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head-to-head: Tigers $1.90 – Sharks $1.90
The Sharks are by far the form team, but enough signs are pointing towards the Tigers to make them a decent hope. At even money – we’ll stay on the Sharks.
CASUALTY WARD
Tigers: Danny Galea – ankle (season), Keith Galloway – foot (season), Dean Collis – knee (Round 26)
Sharks: Reece Williams – knee (season), Karlos Filiga – pectoral (season)
BAD BOYS
Tigers: Todd Payten – Round 26
Sharks: Greg Bird – stood down indefinitely
TEAM LISTS
TIGERS: Brett Hodgson (capt), Taniela Tuiaki, Tim Moltzen, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan, Benji Marshall, John Morris, Ryan O'Hara, Robbie Farah, Bryce Gibbs, Daine Laurie, Chris Heighington, Dene Halatau. Interchange: Stuart Flanagan, Liam Fulton, Corey Payne, Bronson Harrison, Alan Schirnack (two to be omitted).
SHARKS: Brett Kearney, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Ross, Isaac De Gois, Adam Peek, Luke Douglas, Fraser Anderson, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Danny Nutley, Grant Millington, Kade Snowden, Terrence Seu Seu, Blake Green (one to be omitted)
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