It might be pre-season optimism or an early warning to the NRL but Robbie Farah says the under-rated Wests Tigers are aiming for big things in 2009.

The new captain said the playing group had mapped out a list of goals and, while he wouldn't reveal the details, he left little doubt they were hunting a repeat of the 2005 premiership.

"We sat down during the week and set some goals for what we expect from the team but we will keep that in-house," Farah said on Friday.

"I can definitely say that we want to be up there at the top of the league somewhere.

"We have got high hopes as every other team does at this time of the year and we're expecting to play some good footy and be competitive.

"I would be lying if I said we weren't optimistic about having a very good season.

"We're not going to be satisfied with missing the semis or even just making the semis. We're pretty confident it's going to be a good year."

Coach Tim Sheens was equally coy about how far he thinks the Tigers can go in 2009, but he is certainly confident that a fully fit side can trouble the best in the business.

Sheens has secured the nucleus of his side for many years to come with halfback Benji Marshall, hooker Robbie Farah and backrower Chris Heighington all signing new deals recently.

With highly-touted English import Gareth Ellis joining Heighington at the back of the scrum, Sheens likes the dynamic within his outfit.

"We've set some goals, some pretty lofty goals amongst the group," said Sheens.

"Individually though they got some things to achieve. It's alright having a goal of what you want to be doing at the end of the year but all the processes of getting there have to be worked hard at.

"It's a long season so you don't start getting too far ahead of yourself but obviously you want to start the season strongly.

"We are really focused on the first four games."

It's been all round good news in Tigerland during the pre-season as Sheens was elevated to Australian Test coach a few weeks ago.

The long-serving leader, now entering his 25th season as head coach, hopes his Kangaroos posting inspires a team that has produced just one Australian international since merging in 2000.

"If they think it's going to get them a national jumper and they want to play accordingly then that's fine," he said.

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