Garner determined to lock down starting spot

Author: Michael Algeri
Timestamp: Thu 12 Mar 2020, 04:13 PM

After a breakout 2019 season and a strong pre-season campaign under his belt, Wests Tigers forward Luke Garner is determined to lock down a starting spot in an ever-improving forward pack.

And while a new-look right edge with new recruits Joey and Luciano Leilua have taken up most of the headlines this pre-season, Garner believes that the left edge is equally as lethal — especially with the arrival of Adam Doueihi.

“We’ve done enough work to make a strong team,” Garner enthused.

“Each edge and the middle are all really strong, I think. I really think we’ve got a strong team this year.

"Just to hold that starting spot is my goal for the year.

"Obviously everyone’s goal at some point is to play representative footy, so whether that’s this year or not, that’s definitely a goal. But it's just about this year for me and doing my job for this team."

“I think the trials have been about building combinations. We’ve done the work, we’ve done the fitness, we’ve done the ball-work up until this point so now it’s just about strengthening those combinations going into the season."

Garner's Wests Tigers kick off their 2020 season this Sunday at 6:15pm AEDT at WIN Stadium, Wollongong when they take on the St. George-Illawarra Dragons.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 15 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Zac Lomax

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey Thompson
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Brayden Wiliame

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph Leilua
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tim Lafai

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam Doueihi
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Robert Jennings
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 15 Josh Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh Aloiai
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Issac Luke

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Billy Walters
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Blake Lawrie

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Trent Merrin

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Tyrell Fuimaono

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Zane Musgrove
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Billy Brittain

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Chris Lawrence
Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Michael Chee Kam