Wests Tigers centre Blake Ayshford was the guest columnist for the weekly 'Tiger Talk' column.
The colum is part of a weekly Tiger Talk feature in the Campbelltown Advertiser each Wednesday.
TIGER TALK
Two wins and two losses from the opening month of football for us at the Wests Tigers.
Looking back, it has certainly been a mixed month of form. We started off badly against the Knights in the opening round and then showed some fine character to bounce back with a win against the Penrith Panthers at Campbelltown Stadium.
We followed it up with a fine win over Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval in round three and took a lot of confidence out of those two wins heading into the match against Manly at Bluetongue Stadium last Thursday night.
By now, you all know what the result was. We were not happy with our performance and we know we need to improve.
We had plenty of opportunities in the first half and had four consecutive sets at Manly inside their own quarter but we just couldnt get across. Manly are a very good team and they just grind you into the ground. They took their chances in the second half and were disappointed with the way we finished.
We have learnt a lesson from the loss and we are now focusing on putting in a much improved performance against the premiers Melbourne away this Monday night.
The Storm have again shown they are the team to beat for this years premiership and playing them on their home turf will be a good chance to see where we are at.
Travelling to Melbourne is regarded as one of the toughest tests for any side and with the game the last match of the round, it certainly is a long time to wait. We will be out to redeem ourselves and the match cant come quick enough.
Following the Melbourne match, we get the opportunity to play on the historic turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground when we take on St George-Illawarra Dragons on Sunday, April 14.
This match marks the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Grand Final between Western Suburbs Magpies and the St George Dragons. We will be wearing the Magpies heritage jersey for this game and it will be an honour to play on the SCG.
There will be past players from both of those teams in attendance and I know the club is working hard to make sure it is a day to remember for all the right reasons. Hopefully we can get the two points and make the day a real celebration.
But first, we have Melbourne. Bring it on.
The colum is part of a weekly Tiger Talk feature in the Campbelltown Advertiser each Wednesday.
TIGER TALK
Two wins and two losses from the opening month of football for us at the Wests Tigers.
Looking back, it has certainly been a mixed month of form. We started off badly against the Knights in the opening round and then showed some fine character to bounce back with a win against the Penrith Panthers at Campbelltown Stadium.
We followed it up with a fine win over Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval in round three and took a lot of confidence out of those two wins heading into the match against Manly at Bluetongue Stadium last Thursday night.
By now, you all know what the result was. We were not happy with our performance and we know we need to improve.
We had plenty of opportunities in the first half and had four consecutive sets at Manly inside their own quarter but we just couldnt get across. Manly are a very good team and they just grind you into the ground. They took their chances in the second half and were disappointed with the way we finished.
We have learnt a lesson from the loss and we are now focusing on putting in a much improved performance against the premiers Melbourne away this Monday night.
The Storm have again shown they are the team to beat for this years premiership and playing them on their home turf will be a good chance to see where we are at.
Travelling to Melbourne is regarded as one of the toughest tests for any side and with the game the last match of the round, it certainly is a long time to wait. We will be out to redeem ourselves and the match cant come quick enough.
Following the Melbourne match, we get the opportunity to play on the historic turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground when we take on St George-Illawarra Dragons on Sunday, April 14.
This match marks the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Grand Final between Western Suburbs Magpies and the St George Dragons. We will be wearing the Magpies heritage jersey for this game and it will be an honour to play on the SCG.
There will be past players from both of those teams in attendance and I know the club is working hard to make sure it is a day to remember for all the right reasons. Hopefully we can get the two points and make the day a real celebration.
But first, we have Melbourne. Bring it on.
