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Despite high hopes for the Tigers and Benji Marshall in 2024, the Wests Tigers continued their incredibly poor recent form to slump to their third consecutive wooden spoon. The merger club has not made the finals since 2011, and they haven’t had over 10 wins since the 2019 season.
As a result, there has been plenty of turnover at the Tigers, with important forwards Stefano Utoikamanu, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’I leaving the club.
In return, the Tigers have added plenty of quality, headlined by former Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai. Winger pairing Sunia Turuva and Jeral Skelton also join alongside forward trio Royce Hunt, Terrell May and Jack Bird.
Will Benji Marshall be able to unite a club often torn by in house fighting and media scrutiny to take the Tigers back to the NRL Finals in 2025?
Established: | 1999 |
---|---|
Home grounds: | Campbelltown Stadium, Leichhardt Oval, Bankwest Stadium |
Coach: | Benji Marshall |
Captain: | Apisai Koroisau and Jarome Luai |
Premierships: | One – 2005 |
2023 ladder finish: | 17th (6-18) |
2025 Premiership | Top Eight Betting | |
---|---|---|
Odds @ Marantelli Bet | $41 | $3.25 |
There are dozens of NRL futures markets for Wests, but where are they likely to return some real value?
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Round | Opponent | Venue | Date | Time (AEDT) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Knights | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney | Friday, 7th March | 6:00pm |
2 | Eels | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 16th March | 4:05pm |
3 | Dolphins | Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe | Saturday, 22nd March | 5:30pm |
4 | Warriors | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 30th March | 6:15pm |
5 | Broncos | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | Saturday, 5th April | 7:35pm |
6 | Knights | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | Sunday, 13th April | 4:05pm |
7 | Eels | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | Monday, 21st April | 4:00pm |
8 | Sharks | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney | Sunday, 27th April | 4:05pm |
9 | Dragons | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | Saturday, 3rd May | 7:45pm |
10 | Storm | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Sunday, 11th May | 2:00pm |
11 | Rabbitohs | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 18th May | 6:15pm |
12 | Bye | – | – | – |
13 | Cowboys | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | Saturday, 31st May | 5:30pm |
14 | Panthers | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 8th June | 4:05pm |
15 | Bye | – | – | – |
16 | Raiders | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney | Friday, 20th June | 8:00pm |
17 | Sea Eagles | 4 Pines Park, Sydney | Friday, 27th June | 6:00pm |
18 | Roosters | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 6th July | 2:00pm |
19 | Warriors | Go Media Stadium, Auckland | Sunday, 13th July | 2:00pm |
20 | Titans | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney | Sunday, 20th July | 2:00pm |
21 | Panthers | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | Saturday, 26th July | 5:30pm |
22 | Bulldogs | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 3rd August | 2:00pm |
23 | Bye | – | – | – |
24 | Sea Eagles | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | Sunday, 17th August | 2:00pm |
25 | Cowboys | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney | Sunday, 24th August | 4:05pm |
26 | Raiders | GIO Stadium, Canberra | Saturday, 30th August | 3:00pm |
27 | Titans | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | Saturday, 6th September | 5:30pm |
Born: 14/7/2005
Games: 21
Tries: 4
Position: Five-Eighth
One of the top prospects in the NRL, Lachlan Galvin is entering the 2025 season with incredibly high expectations after taking the competition by storm in his debut season. He now forms a formidable halves partnership with Jarome Luai that has the potential to become the best in the competition. Galvin is known for his fearless ball running, a strong kicking and defensive game, while his playmaking is top notch. If the Tigers are going to return to finals action, expect Galvin to become one of the premier five-eighths in the NRL.
Born: 29/4/1999
Games: 53
Tries: 7
Position: Prop
Making the move across after a troubled time at the Roosters, prop Terrell May will be hoping for more consistency at the Tigers this season. One week he was starting, the next he was on the bench last season, but his strong performances showed that at his best, he can become a very damaging proposition. Expected to slot straight into a starting role, if he can maintain his discipline while keeping his aggression on both sides of the ball, May should become the leader of the Tigers forward pack.
Born: 16/1/1997
Games: 131
Tries: 25
Position: Halfback
After years of success at the Panthers, Jarome Luai has now given himself a fresh challenge, bringing the Tigers up the ladder in one of the most high-profile moves of the off-season. While being one of the most talented players in the competition, Luai will also bring plenty of experience and leadership, being named as co-captain alongside another former Panther, Api Koroisau. A switch from five-eighth to halfback adds another challenge for the 28-year-old, but given his success throughout his career, expect Luai to play a key role in the Tigers’ improvement.
The joint venture quickly found success, culminating in a memorable 2005 season. Under the guidance of coach Tim Sheens and the leadership of captain Scott Prince, the Wests Tigers secured their maiden premiership with a 30–16 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys in the Grand Final. This triumph was particularly significant as it ended long premiership droughts for both founding clubs—Balmain’s last title was in 1969, and Western Suburbs’ in 1952.
In the years following their 2005 success, the Tigers have faced challenges in replicating that peak performance. They have qualified for the finals series only twice since then, in 2010 and 2011, and have struggled with consistency. The period from 2013 to 2018 saw the club finishing between 9th and 15th place, narrowly missing the finals in 2016 and 2018. Coaching changes were frequent during this time, with Mick Potter, Jason Taylor, and Ivan Cleary each taking the helm in succession.
The 2024 season was particularly challenging for the Wests Tigers. Despite a promising start with two wins and a bye in the opening four rounds, the team suffered nine consecutive losses, ultimately finishing 17th on the ladder and claiming their third consecutive wooden spoon. This disappointing performance led to significant organizational changes, including the early transition of coaching duties from Tim Sheens to Benji Marshall, who was originally slated to take over in 2025. Marshall, a club legend and key player in the 2005 premiership team, now faces the task of rebuilding the team’s competitiveness.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Wests Tigers have made strategic roster changes to bolster their performance. The club has secured the signing of Jarome Luai, a seasoned playmaker, to provide experience and leadership in the halves. Young talent Lachlan Galvin, who had an impressive rookie season in 2024 with 17 try assists and 51 tackle breaks, is expected to continue his development and form a strong partnership with Luai. In the forward pack, Alex Seyfarth is poised to step into a starting role on the right edge, aiming to fill the void left by departing players and capitalize on his late-season form from 2024. The team is also focusing on integrating hole-running techniques under the guidance of new assistant coach Brett Hodgson, aiming to revitalize their attacking strategies.
Off the field, the club has faced internal challenges, including governance disputes within the ownership group. However, statements from club leadership have reaffirmed their commitment to the Wests Tigers identity and their focus on future success.
As the 2025 season approaches, the Wests Tigers are determined to overcome recent adversities. With a blend of experienced recruits and emerging talent, and under the fresh leadership of Benji Marshall, the club aims to reestablish itself as a competitive force in the NRL and recapture the success that marked its early years.
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