After the boardroom dramas and the Lachlan Galvin saga that dogged the club throughout 2025, no club will be happier for the footy to come around again than the Wests Tigers.
And after finally ending their wooden spoon ‘dynasty’ last season, the Tigers have a squad capable of sneaking into the finals – if luck and injuries are kind to them.
There’s been plenty of player movement but Benji Marshall hasn’t lost any players he really wanted to keep and the addition of Mavrik Geyer (Panthers), Jock Madden (Broncos) and Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights) adds depth and experience.
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Young guns Jahream Bula, Fonua Pole and the Fainu brothers are all a year older and wiser and in teenage centre Heamasi Makasini, the Tigers have a rare talent ready to debut.
But the main decision Benji has to make is in his halves.
Benji Marshall. Getty
Jarome Luai is a lock for one spot but Madden, Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu all have claims to play alongside him.
There are plenty of rookies who will develop into good players – Benji’s dilemma is when to bring in the likes of Makasini, Kit Laulili, Solomone Saukuru and Luke Laulilii.
It’s a well-balanced squad with Doueihi, Terrell May, Alex Twal and Api Koroisau having the experience to show the young blokes the way to win tight matches.
Wests Tigers best 17
1. Jahream Bula 2. Taylan May 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Starford To’a 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jarome Luai 8. Fonua Pole 9. Api Koroisau 10. Terrell May 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Tristan Hope 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Mavrik Geyer