Wests Tigers NSW Women's Premiership Head Coach Robbie Taylor believes the continued improvement this season reflects the unrelenting attitude of his squad.
With a blend of local talent, Wests Tigers junior pathways and experienced players, Taylor said building combinations while providing opportunities across the group has been one of the season's biggest challenges.
"It's been enjoyable putting a new side together," an excited Taylor said.
"You've got girls coming out of Tarsha Gale and Lisa Fiaola, mixed in with players from local league. The challenge has been getting everyone game time, but that's part and parcel of what we're about."
Taylor has also welcomed the influence of players with experience in representative and NRLW environments, believing that experience has helped raise standards throughout the team.
"When you've got girls coming back from higher levels, it's exciting because they bring a different expectation into our squad," he said.
"Especially for the younger representative players, they see the standard they need to be a part of."
Despite some narrow losses earlier in the season, Wests Tigers sit eighth with four rounds remaining.
Taylor has seen significant progress highlighted by improved performances and a confidence-boosting victory over premiers Cronulla Sharks.
"It's always encouraging to get a win," Taylor said.
"Looking back at the season, we've had opportunities to win a number of games, but for whatever reason, it hasn’t worked out.
"Against the Dragons we started to gel and build some really good combinations. It was just the little one-percenters we were lacking, simple execution and attention to detail.
"Getting that second win against last year's premiers was a real confidence builder."
Taylor says the greatest achievement has been the attitude of his playing group, despite limited opportunities for some.
"We've had to show a lot of resilience," he said.
"After some close losses, we've had to ask ourselves, 'What do we need to change? Where can we be better?' But the girls keep getting better every week, and that's our goal.
"There are players who haven't had their opportunity yet, but they keep turning up, keep working and keep pushing. They still want to be part of the group."
Taylor also praised the club's emerging talent, saying the future of the women's pathway remains bright.
"It’s exciting to see the emerging talent coming through," he said.
"This club has so much potential and so much growth ahead of it.
"Those younger players have a lot of potential, but the experience they're getting now will help them become leaders back in Tarsha Gale and prepare them for the NRLW pathway."
Several players have also earned opportunities to train alongside the Club's NRLW squad throughout the season, an experience Taylor believes has accelerated their development.
"It's such a great opportunity for our girls to train with the NRLW squad," he said.
"They come back buzzing. They talk about the experience; they bring that energy back into our group and they push the other players as well."
With the competition entering its second half, Taylor is confident that if his side continues with their quality performances, they will be in contention in the closing rounds.
"Our goal, like every other team, is to make the top five," he said.
"We definitely can do it, but we've just got to stay solid because the opportunity is there for us."
