Injured Wests Tigers co-captain Adam Doueihi says his side must fix their losing mentality if they are to compete against the best clubs in the competition.
The Tigers were leading against NRL heavyweights Melbourne Storm with 20 minutes remaining in Round 1 but conceded the last three tries to lose 26-16.
Doueihi agrees that there were positive signs but that it doesn’t matter if the Tigers are unable to close out games and take the two points.
“It’s just one of those games we had to win,” Doueihi said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“60 minutes in, we were up by 12 points, and they had a few injuries during the game.
“Looking back on it after the game, it was a very disappointing result for us.
“That was our chance to win.
“We have to go on with it and not make silly errors.
“They are the things that kill us.
“Extremely disappointing result.”
Doueihi is not using the excuse that Melbourne are one of the best teams in the competition whilst the Tigers have been perennial strugglers.
The 23-year-old declared that if the Tigers are to change their culture and improve, the side must change their losing mentality and start to believe they can win games.
“People don’t know how we are going to turn up based on our past games,” Doeuihi added.
“As an organisation, we have to change players perspectives.
“We have to go on with those games and win them and make fans reassured that we can win those games.
“We’ve definitely taken a step forward.
“It’s something we are learning, and we are improving.”
The Wests Tigers will travel to Newcastle to take on the Knights on March 20.
The Tigers have an excellent record against the Knights, winning seven of their past 10 matches against the club and four of their past five in Newcastle.