Oy, my Tigers are really limping towards the finish line. They suffered their fourth loss in five weeks last Friday night, falling 26-22 to the resurgent Sydney Roosters in extra time. Don't let the closeness of the score fool you, though. The Tigers were very ordinary, making a number of simple mistakes during the game. It was a minor miracle that they managed to make it to extra time.
Despite the loss they are still in 8th place, but only becuase of tie-breakers, which is difference between points scored and points conceeded. They're at +6 while the 9th placed Rabbitohs are -12.
With three weeks left in the season, here's the standings:
1 Storm 18-3
2 Sea Eagles 17-4
3 Eels 12-9
4 Cowboys 12-9
5 Warriors 11-9-1
6 Bulldogs 11-10
7 Broncos 10-11
8 Tigers 10-11
9 Rabbitohs 10-11
10 Roosters 9-11-1
11 Titans 9-12
12 Sharks 8-13
13 Dragons 8-13
14 Raiders 8-13
15 Knights 8-13
16 Panthers 6-15
The Tigers play the Sharks, Rabbitohs and Knights to finish the season. They should win all of these games based on the standings but their form has been so poor lately that I wouldn't bet on it. The Sharks have had a difficult season, losing EIGHT games by four points or less but they ended a seven game losing streak with a 25-24 extra time victory over the Eels on Saturday night so the Tigers will have to play well to defeat them.
EDIT
Just to add, the Roosters were at the bottom of the standings five weeks ago. But after firing their coach and appointing assistant and former team captain Brad Fittler to the position, they've been undefeated, going 4-0-1 and giving themselves a chance to make the playoffs.
www.nrl.com.au