The equation for the Wests Tigers is quite straightforward: win the last three games and play finals football for the first time since 2011.
Standing in the way will be St George Illawarra this Saturday, Manly the following Thursday at Campbelltown Sports Ground and South Sydney seven days later at ANZ Stadium.
That will take Ivan Cleary’s bus to 30 points, which should be enough, given that they will have improved their differential off the back of three wins.
In the meantime Cleary has made some changes to the team he has named to take on St George at Leichhardt Oval this weekend.
Chris Lawrence returns to the starting side after recovering from a broken hand and hamstring strain suffered in the win against the Dragons in Round 18.
Wrecking ball Mahe Fonua has been named in the centres, returning to the team after breaking his arm in Round 15.
With Fonua coming into the starting side, Kevin Naiqama moves onto the wing and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak onto the extended bench of the 21 man squad named by Cleary.
Benji Marshall, who now boasts the remarkable record of 11 wins from 11 matches against the Canberra Raiders, will captain the side against the Dragons.
Marshall, Farah and Brooks were standouts in the side that defeated the Canberra Raiders 22-20 last Sunday to move to 24 points and just two out from the top eight.
The two old stagers will once again be pivotal as the Tigers shoot for five wins from five matches.
Wests Tigers St George Illawarra:
- Moses Mbye
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Mahe Fonua
5. Kevin Naiqama
6. Benji Marshall (Capt.)
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Robbie Farah
10. Ben Matulino
11. Chris Lawrence
12. Michael Chee Kam
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange
14. Alex Twal
15. Sauaso Sue
16. Luke Garner
17. Matt Eisenhuth
18. Jacob Liddle
19. Robbie Rochow
20. Tyson Gamble
21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
