Souths have historically played well against the Wests-Tigers. Souths are catching the Wests-Tigers on their worst losing streak in history with a horrendous injury toll and Souths are on top of the table outright for the first time in 24 years. For this match the key challenge for Souths will be complaincy. Last time a similar situation occurred in Rd05 2011 the Wests-Tigers beat Souths. So it will be important for Souths to stay focused.

Farah, Tedesco and Marshall are the key men for the Tigers. Farrah controls the game like a halfback from dummy half. Tedesco was the City Origin fullback and can make or break a tackle. Marshall with his footwork and high risk plays if they come off can be a huge danger as he will come off the bench wanting to prove a point to his coach. Reddy with his offloads and the power of Korobiete will be the dangermen out wide on our right side where they will try to take on replacement Hunt. I am expecting a big game from old boy Pettybourne. And Anasta will be firing up his new troops from the sideline.

The Tigers main go forward will come from Woods and Pettybourne. Followed closely by Farah. So they will try and take us on behind the ruck while our big are getting tired.

Suprisingly their defence has been solid over the last two weeks missing less than 25 tackles after a poor effort against the Broncos. However they have struggled to make yards in all 3 games and have a higher error rate in all 3 games. Marshall has been playing poorly this year and unfit at the moment, so he will be a liability. They also have issues catching the high ball on both wings and fullback. With Marshall, Sironen, Utai, Moltzen, Thompson, Pettybourne all missing 4 or more tackles in recent matches. The Tigers base their game on attacking the ruck and quick sideways ball movement. This will adjust with their new halves combination of Fulton and Sironen as they will be more direct with their approach.

Rd08 Home L  6-30 v Cronulla
Rd08 Away L  4-40 v Canterbury
Rd07 Home L 10-20 v Brisbane

Rd09 Home W 28-10 v Nth Qld
Rd08 Away W 26-12 v Brisbane
Rd07 Away W 20-12 v Manly

2011 Rd05 SFS  L  6-30 22,677 A.Klein/A.Devcich
2011 Rd10 StAu W 29-18 18,245 J.Maxwell/S.Lyons
2012 Rd05 SFS  W 17-16 25,608 S.Hayne/G.Morris
2012 Rd21 StAu W 32-6  29,863 T.Archer/B.Suttor

Souths will win this game through their forward power. The injuries that are effecting the Tigers are significant and the lack of creativity in halves is a attempt to manage our big men. Luke has outplayed Farah in recent years in his counter ruck attack. I expect Souths to lauch a air attack just like the Sharks did and capitalise. Last year our forwards ran riot and expect George & Sam to pick up where Dave Taylor left off last year and Sutton to have another big game.

In this game I expect it to be a set play out to the wing off a bomb.

Souths by 24