Despite a short turnaround heading into this week’s game, centre Tim Simona is already eager to get back out on the field for Friday night's match at ANZ Stadium.
With just four days in between Sunday’s 30-22 loss to the Raiders and the upcoming match against Canterbury-Bankstown, Simona wants to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“The boys are obviously really disappointed about the weekend,” he said.
“We are ready to rip in with a big game coming up this Friday.”
“There’s only two days until we play now so it’s a really short week but we can’t wait.”
With over 13,000 members and fans attending Sunday’s match against Canberra, the Samoan International wants to make it up to those supporters this week.
“Our fans who came out to Leichhardt Oval left disappointed,” Simona said.
“So we want to repay them and get the win on Friday.”
“That game was definitely a learning curve; we just can’t take our foot off the pedal against any team in the competition.
"It’s a learning process for us and hopefully we can improve this week.”
With atrocious conditions this week at training, Simona is one player who’s not worried about playing wet weather football.
Many will remember his stellar game against the Melbourne Storm in 2013 following a torrential downpour, scoring a length of the field try and setting up another in the 22-4 victory at Leichhardt Oval.
“It’s not just me, I think most outside backs love playing in the rain,” Simona said.
“Trying to get early ball and beat the big forwards up in the middle. “
“I love playing in the wet... so hopefully it rains on Friday,” Simona said jokingly.
In the previous encounter between the two sides in Round 4, Wests Tigers raced out to an early lead, only to be pipped during extra time.
Simona highlighted the team’s need to be consistent on a week-to-week basis and improve on their second half performances.
“We just know we have to be better than last time we played them,” he said.
“I think our second halves in the past few games have been disappointing, but we are working on that and hopefully we can make it a win this Friday.”
“Top teams at the moment, like Melbourne and the Rabbitohs, they fire on the big stage.
“We talk about being consistent, relentless and aggressive in everything we do and we are learning every week.
“We want to be up there with those teams and we need to string a few wins together now. The Dogs are missing a few players but will no doubt be bringing their A-game this Friday and so will we.”
Be there at ANY four home games at ANY stadium for just $80! Select your four today!
