Benji Marshall has delivered a blunt message to the Wests Tigers playing group ahead of the new season as the club attempts to return to the finals for the first time since 2011.

In a YouTube video released by the club on the eve of the season, Marshall challenged the players to match their words with actions as the club attempts to build a strong culture.

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And warning those who are unwilling to buy into it or unable to live up to the standards set in place that the Tigers are more than happy to let them walk out the door and find a new home elsewhere.

This comes as the club faced a ton of controversy last season on and off the field, headlined by the mid-season departures of Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva.

“Welcome back, 2026 Wests Tigers. You should be excited. I’ve noticed a lot of nerves in the room,” Marshall said in a pre-season address that the club uploaded on Monday evening.

“I remember my first pre-season, it’s pretty stressful but even though it’s going to be hard who gives a f***.”

“Let’s just embrace it, be positive about it, upbeat because for some of you on train-and-trial (contracts), it is an opportunity that you might not get longer than six weeks, so you’ve got to make the most of it.

“The other thing I’ve learned about pre-season is that you’ll never get this time back and if you have a great pre-season it sets you up for a good season.”

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With a wave of young talent coming through the ranks such as Heamasi Makasini and Jared Haywood, Marshall challenged the players to consider how far they are willing to go in the pursuit of success.

In a squad of 36, only 19 will be selected each week in the game-day squad and 17 will be used on the field, meaning competition for spots will be fierce.

“If you haven’t made your debut yet or if you have, everyone wants to win a comp,” Marshall added.

“The question is, if I said to you tomorrow that you’re guaranteed to win the comp or if you haven’t played first-grade yet, if you’re guaranteed to make your debut, what are you prepared to do for it.

“If you ask me that question, I’d f****** do whatever it takes. Anything! You name it, I’d do it because everyone said they’re prepared to do things, but that’s just talk.

“What are your actions going to be that match it because I’ve seen a lot of talk over the years, playing (and) coaching. Everyone says it, prove it, make the most of it because it doesn’t come around every day.”

The Wests Tigers haven’t had much success in recent seasons.Source: Getty Images

Continuing to address the playing group, the recently extended coach doubled down on the importance of standards and professionalism.

And if members of the side were unable to reach these, they would find themselves on the lookout for a new club, effective immediately.

“We’re big on standards and if you don’t make your f****** times consistently and you can’t perform and you’re not professional, you’ll be out of here,” Marshall continued.

“It’s happened, trust me. We’ve been through this s***.

“We’re not doing that anymore (because) at the Wests Tigers we f***** now stand for something and if you’re not prepared to follow what we stand for, guess what, there’s the f****** door.”