Brendan Wood takes a look at the Wests Tigers draw for season 2020.
Wests Tigers 2020 fixtures
Analysis
After finishing one win outside the top eight in 2019, the Tigers will be looking to keep building on last season to attempt playing finals footy for the first time since 2011.
They have an easy start to season 2020, which should see them get off to a flyer. Over the first eight rounds, they only play two teams who finished in the top eight last year (Eels and Sharks) and don’t play any top four teams.
Similarly, they also have a relatively easy finish to the year, only playing one team who played finals footy in 2019 in the last four rounds (Raiders in Canberra).
The middle of the season is where the Tigers will be tested in 2020. From rounds 8 to 22, they only play three games against the bottom eight teams from 2019 (Panthers, Dragons and Knights). This includes a tough three week run where they play the Storm, Rabbitohs and Roosters back to back from rounds 16 to 18.
Unlike many teams, the Tigers shouldn’t have players featuring in State of Origin through this period. As such, they should be close to full strength for these tough clashes.
If they can get through the torturous middle rounds, the Tigers may surprise with a finals birth in season 2020.
Teams they play twice: Dragons, Bulldogs, Eels, Titans, Raiders, Knights, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks
Teams they play once: Roosters, Storm, Broncos, Cowboys, Manly, Warriors
Bye week: Round 12
