4. Talking Points

Where does everybody fit?: The Tigers have literally almost a million dollars worth of headaches. Where do they play Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi? Both players are capable of playing across multiple positions but neither are must pick in any.

Doueihi had his moments at fullback, but for mine Laurie deserves first shot. Mbye looked good in the centres but the Tigers have an all Origin representative centre pairing. You can't play both off the bench. One will likely play in the halves, but which/either?

Michael McGuire has some big decisions to make. I don't think any side is harder to predict for round one (then two when Doueihi returns) than the Tigers.

Speed across the backline: For the first time in a long time the Tigers possess a back line that should provide plenty of nightmares for opposition defensive lines.

Laurie is quick, elusive and has plenty of ball skills. Nofoaluma is a wrecking ball and Tigers fans will be hoping he can continue his 2020 form. Tommy Talau showed plenty in his short stint in first grade. My guess is he'll score plenty of tries this year. Despite his less than stellar 2020, I'm still backing BJ Leilua to deliver. He has plenty of talent and should be better for a year in the system.

In Roberts they've added a player capable of literally anything. There are going to be games where this centre pairing rip teams to shreds, but unfortunately there will be games where these two frustrate those in Tiger Town. Should be fun to watch though.

Brooks HAS to deliver: Fair to say that Luke Brooks has struggled to live up to the hype his magnificent debut created. Each year the Tigers look to their halfback to take them back to the finals but he is yet to deliver a single finals appearance.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Luke Brooks of the Tigers passes during the round 20 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on August 01, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Unfortunately he enters 2021 under the pressure he has put himself under. On the back of a horror 2020 that saw him contribute only three try assists, a ridiculous statement about the Tigers "unleashing" Brooks circulated has put him under more undue pressure. The club moved Benji on putting 100% faith behind Brooks. Simply put, he has to repay that faith and deliver.