Tigers fans tired of coming ninth year after year wanted change in 2021 – and they got it – but not the kind of change they were hoping for.
Instead of just missing the finals yet again, the Tigers had a disastrous year, culminating in the record last-round thrashing from wooden spooners Canterbury that consigned them to 13th spot.
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That woeful finale confirmed what many had suspected all season – that there is a rift between the playing group and coach Michael Maguire and club management.
Poor recruitment for the past several years, the longest finals drought of any club in the NRL and the ill-fated behind-the-scenes documentary series on the team combined to make the Tigers something of a standing joke in the NRL in 2021.
The club is currently undergoing an internal review – and the results should be fascinating.
Amidst the ruins, there were some positives. Adam Doueihi came of age and proved himself a team leader – but will miss at least half of next year through injury. Daine Laurie was a fine gain from Penrith before he too fell to injury.
Stefano Utoikamanu was a real find up front and should be the club’s forward leader in years to come.
The Tigers have already culled some dead wood but have some big calls to make in coming weeks – especially on Maguire and enigmatic halfback Luke Brooks.
Best player: Doueihi proved a jack-of-all-trades, filling in at just about every backline position and doing a good job. An on-field talker and deep thinker on the game, he should captain the Tigers when he returns from injury.
Biggest disappointment: Joey Leilua has always had the talent but a hot head, poor discipline and fitness issues made him a liability in 2021. Despite his obvious ability, it was the only call to make to cut him loose for next season.
Key signing: Jackson Hastings shapes as the Tigers’ great white hope after being a standout player in Super League for the past couple of seasons. But whether he can lift this Tigers outfit to finals football remains to be seen – it’s a tall order given the events of 2021.
Gains: Jackson Hastings (Wigan), Oliver Gildart (Wigan)
Losses: Moses Mbye (Dragons), Billy Walters (Broncos), Russell Packer (retired), Joey Leilua (released), Michael Chee Kam (released).
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