Wests Tigers’ young cubs will face the biggest test of their NRL careers on Sunday regardless of whether they go into battle alongside retiring hooker Robbie Farah.
The Tigers remained tight lipped on Saturday on whether Farah would play in his Leichhardt farewell, even if coach Michael Maguire and the veteran had already made up their mind.
Truth be told, the Tigers are happy the focus is of Farah and his fractured leg this week.
The challenge awaiting the rest of their squad, in the form of a virtual knockout clash between them and Cronulla, has barely been spoken or written about.
Just three members of their squad – in Farah, Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence – have ever played a finals match before for the Tigers.
Of the top 17 named for Sunday, more than half of them have never played in a finals match in their career.
Luke Brooks’ 130 matches without a finals appearance is currently the most in the NRL.
And then there is the most damning stat of all: How the Tigers have five times in the past 20 years missed the top eight when still in contention headed into the final round.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” Maguire said of Brooks.
“I think this year I have seen him change as a player. How he controls the team around the park.
“Full credit to Benji. He has been doing a lot of work in the background with Brooksy, along with Robbie.
“It’s why you play the game. It’s these moments in time where you get to stand up and show who you really are.”
Brooks’ former teammates believe he is now finals ready as well.
The Tigers halfback is playing with more confidence than any other point in his career, with the fact he’s running the ball more a clear indicator of that.
He’s also set up 23 tries this season – easily the highest tally from his time in the NRL – while his combination with Marshall has fired in recent weeks.
“Even though he has got Benji there as a halves partner, Brooksy has really owned that responsibility this year,” former Tigers teammate Dene Halatau said.
“I’ve noticed it most with his running game. He runs harder to the line.
“He’s always been a really good runner, but sometimes he doubts himself. But this year he has backed himself a lot more.”