When Darryl McDonald inherited the reins of the Melbourne Tigers last season (following the unnecessary dismissal of Al Westover) he worked hard developing two of the club's young cubs, Bennie Lewis and Lucas Walker.

The time McDonald put into the rising stars, instilling confidence and affording them playing time, appears to have been for nothing. Lewis and Walker now spend more time waving towels and suffering splinters than enjoying any kind of meaningful action under current head coach, Trevor Gleeson.

McDonald failed to make the position on the Tigers sidelines his own through the off-season, despite a 4-6 record with a depleted roster shorn of Eric Devendorf and Luke Nevill following Westover's sacking. Gleeson was subsequently appointed the long-term replacement.

In the time McDonald was in charge, both Lewis and Walker elevated their games to another level.

Lewis was averaging 3.0ppg through the 2010-11 season before McDonald took control. He then lifted his output to 4.3ppg for the year, increasing his numbers to 6.5ppg in the 10 outings under McDonald, including three games in double-figures.

Walker was averaging 3.5ppg under Westover, but lifted his season average to 5.5ppg courtesy of an average of 8.5ppg under McDonald, highlighted by five games of double-figure scoring and one double-double.

It is puzzling that Lewis and Walker have now fallen so far out of the Tigers' rotation.

Lewis, already with two DNP-CD (Did not play - Coach's decision) this season, is only putting up 2.1ppg in eight minutes a game.

Walker's fall from grace is even more staggering. He has failed to play at least 10 minutes in any of the last five games and has scored just one field goal (a dunk) in that duration. This season Walker is averaging 4.8ppg, well down on his output from last season and far below his potential.

The club is arguably in a worse position than it was a year ago.

When Westover was discarded, the Tigers were 6-12. 12 months later they sit at 9-12 and on a six game losing streak. The improved record is misleading as it is bolstered by a 6-3 opening with Patty Mills on the roster.

After Mills quit to take up a contract in China, the Tigers went 3-6. Then Ayinde Ubaka was sacked by CEO Seamus McPeake, since when the Tigers have gone 0-3 and 0-2 with Myron Allen in the line-up.

Instead of turning to youth, the Tigers are continuing to push hard for the playoffs, despite needing to win at least six of their final seven games to have a chance at breaking into the top four.

If they fail to make the post-season, not only have the Tigers failed to live up to their expectations, they have put themselves a further 12 months behind in showcasing Lewis and Walker and prepping them for their inevitable time to shine.