Inspirational captain Robbie Farah has revealed how a pre-season honesty session has transformed the toothless Wests Tigers into a NRL premiership force.

From second-last in 2013 to second on the ladder after seven rounds this year, the Tigers are proving the revelation of the competition.

Young guns Luke Brooks and injured fullback James Tedesco have been credited with sparking the dramatic turnaround, but Farah believes the revival runs much deeper.

“There’s no doubt we’re a lot more honest with each other,” Farah said on NRL 360 on Fox Sports.

“At the start of the year, when I came back into training, I pulled the leadership group in and we had a really honest and upfront meeting.

“I think we’ve probably been sugar-coating things a lot the last couple of years and hiding some home truths that needed to be heard.

“Once we got them out in the open – we weren’t bagging anyone or having a go at each other – we just pinpointed where we were going wrong and what we needed to change.”

After losing long-time right-hand man Benji Marshall at the end of 2013, Farah said he couldn’t be more pleased with how fellow senior Tigers like Braith Anasta, Adam Blair, Aaron Woods and Chris Lawrence have stepped up this season.

“What I will say is that I’ve found my job a hell of a lot easier this year with the leadership group I’ve got around me,” the happy hooker said.

“Braith’s been unbelievable for me. As a vice-captain, I can’t commend him enough for how he’s helping me.

“Woodsy … I think everyone’s seen the improvement in Adam Blair this year. His game on Monday was unbelievable for us.

“Chrissy Lawrence, everyone … the leadership group in our club is really driving what we want to change in terms of our culture.”

Brooks and Tedesco have undoubtedly added the backline polish in the Tigers’ five wins from seven starts this season, but Farah says he’s most proud about how the forward pack has stood up in 2014.

“There’s no doubt there’s been a perception out there in the last 18 to 24 months that the Tigers are soft and we’ve gone about changing that,” he said.

“We just said that if anything happens on the field, we’re going to stand tall together.”