Not-so-sweet '16: Memories of Leichhardt loss haunt Taylor

Wests Tigers forward Elijah Taylor says the deflating feeling of failing to reach the finals in 2016 leaves him with enough motivation to rewrite the history books against Cronulla on Sunday afternoon.

Taylor is one of six players left at the joint venture who was part of the humiliating 52-10 loss to the Raiders at Leichhardt Oval in 2016, a result that ended any chance of a finals berth.

The day was filled with emotion as South Sydney-bound Robbie Farah was farewelled with a lap of honour around the ground he had made his own.

Three seasons later the club is back in a similar position, with Farah's name again in the spotlight as he pushes towards overcoming a broken leg with a finals spot on the line to stave off retirement.

"We had to win the game to make the finals," Taylor reflected this week on the 2016 clash.  

"We had a lot of experienced players out that game. Teddy [James Tedesco] didn't play that game and I don't think Woodsy [Aaron Woods] played for half that game.

"It definitely did [hurt], that whole off-season. It was a very long off-season because we were disappointed in how we finished our year.

"We made a surge towards the back end of the year and it came up short. The motivation is definitely there to get two points this weekend."

The momentum sits well with the Wests Tigers this week but how they handle the occasion is a different story.

Cronulla have had the wood over Michael Maguire's men with wins in their past five games dating back to 2015.

Taylor, who has floated in and out of Maguire's 17 this year, boasts just one win from 10 games against the Sutherland Shire club.

"We've got a lot more experience in our squad now," Taylor said.

"With Benji, Chris Lawrence and Farah if he plays, Ryan Matterson with last year and Josh Reynolds as well, they've played in big games."

Wests Tigers fans have suffered the most when it comes to finals drought with their last appearance coming in 2011. 

"Even just talking to the fans, we haven't even made the semis but the possibility of the last round to have a chance is a feeling the fans probably haven't had for a long time," five-eighth Benji Marshall said. 

"You just get a feel in the team, a vibe, an energy. It's confidence, belief and I think we've found an attacking style that works for us. 

"The season is a marathon and we're in the back end of that marathon and need to make it happen this week."

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