Season 2026

[Tiger05]

No one giving us a chance, hopefully it shows in the betting markets.
I'll have my usual $50 on us to make the 8.

I think lot's of teams are good enough to make the 8. I think the comp is close. I also think we can definitely make the 8 and go well in the finals.

I never bet but I might put $50 on us make the finals this time.

 

[Tigerm]

I think lot's of teams are good enough to make the 8. I think the comp is close. I also think we can definitely make the 8 and go well in the finals.

I never bet but I might put $50 on us make the finals this time.

I only bet on this, have been doing it for years, if we get there next season, I should be about $300 behind hahaha

 

[Vic Mackey]

I like the draw (other than the first round bye).
We have a run of relatively easy games to warm into the season, then a run of testing games.
It suits us for where we are in our build.
We should at least be in every game until the broncs.

Agree, Apart from the bye in round 1 I think its a very friendly draw. The lack of long travel is a big thing, last year we played every non sydney team away. First 5 games make or break the season imo. Cows, Souths, NZ, Eels, Knights are all winnable games before we enter a horror 4 game stretch of Brisbane, Canberra, Cronulla and Melbourne. We should be aiming for 4 wins in that first 5, 3 absolute minimum, then even jag one from that tough run.

NRL fixtures 2026: Who is every team playing twice?

Which teams will be disappointed with their list?

www.zerotackle.com

Wests Tigers
Bulldogs, Raiders, Knights, Warriors, Cowboys, Eels, Panthers, Dragons

Thats a really good group to get twice. Four made the finals but only one won a final. Dogs, Raiders and Wahs all fall back this year imo. Penrith the toughest games but we tend to lift for them and we also get them in round 27 when Ivan often rests players, so if we're still in with a shot of finals that could be a blessing.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I think lot's of teams are good enough to make the 8. I think the comp is close. I also think we can definitely make the 8 and go well in the finals.

I never bet but I might put $50 on us make the finals this time.

Top 8 harder to pick next year than many others. Teams like Parra and souths should improve on last year. Think us and Newie do aswell. Fins only missed the 8 due to injuries. I have raided, wahs, dogs and manly sliding. The only 2 teams who don’t have a finals shout are saints and titans, but last year I had wahs and raiders bottom 4 so don’t trust my opinion lol.

 

[gordsy]

We'll threaten for the finals but in true Tigers fashion shit the bed in the last six rounds.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

I only bet on this, have been doing it for years, if we get there next season, I should be about $300 behind hahaha

I dont anymore..after puting money where my faith in Madge's second season was I've banned my betting till 10 years after i'm dead

 

[Tigerm]

 

[Nutz]

I dont anymore..after puting money where my faith in Madge's second season was I've banned my betting till 10 years after i'm dead

How do you propose putting the bet on.

 

[Nutz]

Pheonix Godinet is a goodin apparently.

 

[Nutz]

Pheonix Godinet is a goodin apparently.They basically have the preseason to impress unlike a development contract.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

How do you propose putting the bet on.

An IOU....they'll know where to find me

 

[Tigerm]

Wests Tigers NRL '26 Pre-season training

The Wests Tigers move further into their pre-season for the 2026 NRL season, with senior players returning to the training track following their break.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Tiger05]

Wests Tigers NRL '26 Pre-season training

The Wests Tigers move further into their pre-season for the 2026 NRL season, with senior players returning to the training track following their break.

www.weststigers.com.au

I love Samuela's hair.

 

[Nutz]

Our preseason photos often look like a team destined to play finals, then crash.
Twal and Hunt look like giant slayers.
If Turuva and Masi are our wingers, where does that leave Skelton.
AD looks fit and focussed.
The depth is getting better and the competition for spots are a good thing. A sign that we are poised to break through finally.
I'm gutted about Latu but it looks like AD may slip into that mobile ½/lock role. Is Madden been seen at training?

 

[Tiger05]

If Turuva and Masi are our wingers, where does that leave Skelton.

I can't see Masi making the team for round 1 assuming all our outside backs are fit. He looks like a weapon though and I can see him getting a spot this season.

I'm gutted about Latu but it looks like AD may slip into that mobile ½/lock role.

It'll be interesting who partners Luai in the halves but I assume AD and Latu will swap around and sometimes both will be playing in the middle. Then we see what happens over the season.

 

[Tigerm]

I can't see Masi making the team for round 1 assuming all our outside backs are fit. He looks like a weapon though and I can see him getting a spot this season.



It'll be interesting who partners Luai in the halves but I assume AD and Latu will swap around and sometimes both will be playing in the middle. Then we see what happens over the season.

Don't discard Madden, I don't think they got him back to carry the water.
Though, I think AD will get first go, while I am a Latu fan, I'm team first, the other two will play off for it May the best man win..

 

[Tiger05]

Don't discard Madden, I don't think they got him back to carry the water.
Though, I think AD will get first go, while I am a Latu fan, I'm team first, the other two will play off for it May the best man win..

I reckon Madden will be back-up. The thing is he is that more traditional type halfback and maybe a better foil to Luai.

The thing is I reckon AD and Latu can win us games via their running games. I can't see Benji leaving these two out of the team.

 

[Nutz]

I reckon Madden will be back-up. The thing is he is that more traditional type halfback and maybe a better foil to Luai.

The thing is I reckon AD and Latu can win us games via their running games. I can't see Benji leaving these two out of the team.

Interesting thing about Latu, he can play dummy half, he played in that position in the second half of the world cup and starred. He can pass beautifully left and right but he's just had shoulder surgery.
When he's fit, he could even be a bench player for Api???
Just a thought if Benji is persistent in playing AD, but I cant see AD on the bench.
The bench needs to be three fwds and a utility imo. Anyone got a crystal ball.

 

[Nutz]

I reckon Madden will be back-up. The thing is he is that more traditional type halfback and maybe a better foil to Luai.

The thing is I reckon AD and Latu can win us games via their running games. I can't see Benji leaving these two out of the team.

I think AD is great backup for To'a who is injury prone.
Masi offers more to the attack, especially outside May but Skelton has size, can find the tryline and great at getting us out of our red zone.
We haven't resigned our fullback yet so that could be a factor.

 

[Tiger05]

The bench needs to be three fwds and a utility imo. Anyone got a crystal ball.

I think the bench will be Latu as the utility, 1 impact forward (Hunt) and 2 middle forwards. I think the 2 middles will be Seyfarth and Pole.

That bench is fine. Maybe Sione will be on the bench but I reckon he deserves to start at lock.