Season 2026

[Tiger05]

Maybe he can coach after all?

Let's see how the whole season plays out but I stated coaching was our biggest risk this season and so far we haven't seen anything to justify my BS opinion.

He has developed a squad that can compete and he has so far gotten them playing some good footy and looking like they are all working together with good structures.

Some tough decisions need to be made with Luai, May and To'a coming back into contention.

 

[Tigerm]

Let's see how the whole season plays out but I stated coaching was our biggest risk this season and so far we haven't seen anything to justify my BS opinion.

He has developed a squad that can compete and he has so far gotten them playing some good footy and looking like they are all working together with good structures.

Some tough decisions need to be made with Luai, May and To'a coming back into contention.

Luai & May are must "comeback" players. Not so sure about To'a though.

 

[WA Tiger]

Luai & May are must "comeback" players. Not so sure about To'a though.

Yea I think we got it.. Wern’t you a die hard Galvin fan until you were not

 

[WA Tiger]

We could see Benji’s coming of age as a coach today

 

[Nutz]

Luai & May are must "comeback" players. Not so sure about To'a though.

I see Gould is stirring up a hornest nest with Bula, carbon copy of his antics with Galvin. I can't see them chasing Bula now that Connor Tracey has resigned as their n⁰1 fullback.
But it us Gould and it is the dogs.
Luai and May have a connection and chemistry. I think we should promote this and get them running that lethal left side with Sammy.

 

[Tiger05]

Luai and May have a connection and chemistry. I think we should promote this and get them running that lethal left side with Sammy.

Makasini as well. Makasini as the biggest threat of the lot of them. The kid is running hard and figuring it out and I really hope he has a breakout game soon.

 

[WA Tiger]

Sorry I didn’t realise this was the west tigers wasteland thread !

 

[WA Tiger]

While I’m here.. Santa clause at centre for the rest of the year… hahaha

 

[Nutz]

Makasini as well. Makasini as the biggest threat of the lot of them. The kid is running hard and figuring it out and I really hope he has a breakout game soon.

Not for me and I'm one of his biggest fans. There are red flags atm especially with his body language.
There is no hurry with this kid.
The problem exists that we have no left side centre depth so Masi looks set for a big year, fingers crossed.
If he is injured then it might be a problem. You can stack a side of the field but that is not preferable unless it's a set play or from bombs, usually.
Let's hope you get your wish and he stays fit and improves to the std that I've witnessed during his pathways. He is without a doubt a future superstar.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

I never thought the Marshall experiment would work but I can admit when I'm wrong.

He's adapted to the new style of NRL game better than any other coach in the comp, considering how far back we're coming from. He's seen that structured play doesn't seem to be as effective this year and eyes up footy and taking calculated risks are the order of the day.

On top of that there's the massively improved defence and fitness of the players. He's gotten a lot of forwards to trim down and add muscle, and this is also helping with the increased speed on play which is a must in 2026.

Another aspect I want to complement him on is the teams discipline, especially last weekend. This shows with us leading the league in time in possession at 55%.

The season is only 25% done but the changes he's made see us equal top of the table. Of course the players need to produce on the field, but if you start off with a shit game plan, attack, defence, and fitness you'll get shit results, as we all know, only too well.

From the way he talks this year it's clear he still wants to be a great mentor but in previous years I get the feeling he also wanted to be their mate as well. This year I think he's binned that idea in favour of being their coach.

It's bloody unusual to be looking forward to the game on the weekend thinking we're in with a very good shot of beating anyone. And being up the top of table and smashing commandments. And the footy shows and podcasts singing our praises rather than calling us a club in crisis. It's like I've entered the twilight zone.

 

[Tigerm]

I never thought the Marshall experiment would work but I can admit when I'm wrong.

He's adapted to the new style of NRL game better than any other coach in the comp, considering how far back we're coming from. He's seen that structured play doesn't seem to be as effective this year and eyes up footy and taking calculated risks are the order of the day.

On top of that there's the massively improved defence and fitness of the players. He's gotten a lot of forwards to trim down and add muscle, and this is also helping with the increased speed on play which is a must in 2026.

Another aspect I want to complement him on is the teams discipline, especially last weekend. This shows with us leading the league in time in possession at 55%.

The season is only 25% done but the changes he's made see us equal top of the table. Of course the players need to produce on the field, but if you start off with a shit game plan, attack, defence, and fitness you'll get shit results, as we all know, only too well.

From the way he talks this year it's clear he still wants to be a great mentor but in previous years I get the feeling he also wanted to be their mate as well. This year I think he's binned that idea in favour of being their coach.

It's bloody unusual to be looking forward to the game on the weekend thinking we're in with a very good shot of beating anyone. And being up the top of table and smashing commandments. And the footy shows and podcasts singing our praises rather than calling us a club in crisis. It's like I've entered the twilight zone.

Winning changes everything.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

I never thought the Marshall experiment would work but I can admit when I'm wrong.

He's adapted to the new style of NRL game better than any other coach in the comp, considering how far back we're coming from. He's seen that structured play doesn't seem to be as effective this year and eyes up footy and taking calculated risks are the order of the day.

On top of that there's the massively improved defence and fitness of the players. He's gotten a lot of forwards to trim down and add muscle, and this is also helping with the increased speed on play which is a must in 2026.

Another aspect I want to complement him on is the teams discipline, especially last weekend. This shows with us leading the league in time in possession at 55%.

The season is only 25% done but the changes he's made see us equal top of the table. Of course the players need to produce on the field, but if you start off with a shit game plan, attack, defence, and fitness you'll get shit results, as we all know, only too well.

From the way he talks this year it's clear he still wants to be a great mentor but in previous years I get the feeling he also wanted to be their mate as well. This year I think he's binned that idea in favour of being their coach.

It's bloody unusual to be looking forward to the game on the weekend thinking we're in with a very good shot of beating anyone. And being up the top of table and smashing commandments. And the footy shows and podcasts singing our praises rather than calling us a club in crisis. It's like I've entered the twilight zone.

The scepticism of the appointment of a recently retired ...never coached player is totally understandable..i stick to one point i argued when Sheens announced him as the next coach....if nothing else Benji Marshall has proved at every challenge thrown at him that he should not be underestimated. Like em or not Bennet...Sheens...Slater...even Shane Richardson have all been at the centre of success for too long to be so wrong about him becoming a successful coach. He started his first grade playing career not entirely sure where to stand on the field....took him one year to blow past everything else...he's now in his second year of first grade coaching

 

[Tiger Ted]

I never thought the Marshall experiment would work but I can admit when I'm wrong.

He's adapted to the new style of NRL game better than any other coach in the comp, considering how far back we're coming from. He's seen that structured play doesn't seem to be as effective this year and eyes up footy and taking calculated risks are the order of the day.

On top of that there's the massively improved defence and fitness of the players. He's gotten a lot of forwards to trim down and add muscle, and this is also helping with the increased speed on play which is a must in 2026.

Another aspect I want to complement him on is the teams discipline, especially last weekend. This shows with us leading the league in time in possession at 55%.

The season is only 25% done but the changes he's made see us equal top of the table. Of course the players need to produce on the field, but if you start off with a shit game plan, attack, defence, and fitness you'll get shit results, as we all know, only too well.

From the way he talks this year it's clear he still wants to be a great mentor but in previous years I get the feeling he also wanted to be their mate as well. This year I think he's binned that idea in favour of being their coach.

It's bloody unusual to be looking forward to the game on the weekend thinking we're in with a very good shot of beating anyone. And being up the top of table and smashing commandments. And the footy shows and podcasts singing our praises rather than calling us a club in crisis. It's like I've entered the twilight zone.

I keep pinching myself although I keep expecting the knuckleheaded HBG gumps to throw a spanner in the works

 

[Tiger Ted]

The scepticism of the appointment of a recently retired ...never coached player is totally understandable..i stick to one point i argued when Sheens announced him as the next coach....if nothing else Benji Marshall has proved at every challenge thrown at him that he should not be underestimated. Like em or not Bennet...Sheens...Slater...even Shane Richardson have all been at the centre of success for too long to be so wrong about him becoming a successful coach. He started his first grade playing career not entirely sure where to stand on the field....took him one year to blow past everything else...he's now in his second year of first grade coaching

Bennett & Richo endorsing him speaks volumes

 

[Nutz]

I keep pinching myself although I keep expecting the knuckleheaded HBG gumps to throw a spanner in the works

Probably not if Ted, but when.

 

[gordsy]

Let's all take a breath and calm down. We're going good so far that's it. The season hasn't been a success and is not even close to over. Those more cynical fans have seen us string a few games together and then shit the bed. I don't see us doing that but this champagne popping after we've played 5 games is ridiculous.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

Bennett & Richo endorsing him speaks volumes

That's the experienced rugby league coach and administrator Ted. I think the following is just as important from a Melanesian and Polynesian stand.
Why Benji Marshall left an Aussie Super Bowl champion speechless
"He held his nerve to help the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl, when he met US President Donald Trump on stage and during live performances on The Masked Singer.

But Jordan Mailata was overcome with nerves, even lost for words, when he finally got the chance to speak with childhood idol Benji Marshall last week.

Marshall has been credited for Wests Tigers’ amazing start to the NRL season where they are equal top after six rounds, but even he was stunned to learn he had inspired one of Australia’s richest sports stars.

Mailata, who signed a three-year deal with the Eagles worth more than $100 million, attended a function in Brisbane last Wednesday, along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as several NRL officials, including ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.

When the conversation turned to which team Mailata loved growing up, he nominated the Tigers – because of his love of Marshall.

V’landys confirmed he told Mailata he would call Marshall for him, only for the NFL star to shake his head and say: “No way, I wouldn’t even know what to say to him. I’m too nervous. I haven’t prepared anything.”
Marshall asked V’landys if he was being pranked when told Mailata was waiting to speak to him.

Mailata then went to a corner of the room where he spoke to Marshall for about 15 minutes.
Marshall later spoke to V’landys about how amazed he was to receive a phone call from the Eagles’ offensive tackle, and how proud he was of Mailata for being a role model to young Polynesians.

The coach also made sure Mailata knew the door was always open at the Wests Tigers’ Concord headquarters.
V’landys was unaware what the pair spoke about, but said: “I was impressed by Jordan. He is so down to earth and a beautiful human being. So is Benji. They’re both great role models for their cultures and show no matter your circumstances you can be top of your field.”

Marshall has done his best to play down his part in the early success in Tiger Town, and reiterated only six rounds have been played.

But Tigers players, young and old, did their best to explain on Tuesday why they loved playing under him.

“I idolised him as a player – I feel like we connect more with him because he was a player, and he understands us more,” Latu Fainu said.

Co-captain Api Koroisau added: “I don’t know if there was a bigger player in the game when he was playing, and when he was at the peak of his powers.
“I’m still in awe of him, seeing him every day, walking around and talking to me about footy. He’s one of those guys who naturally has that [aura].”

Meanwhile, Koroisau welcomed the return of fellow captain Jarome Luai for Saturday’s clash against the Broncos, saying: “He brings more energy and confidence than anyone else – he kicked off that culture we have now, and to have him back is immense.”

I'd go further with Api's comments above, I recall Nathan Cleary saying a few years back that Luia was the heart and soul of the Panthers squad, clown when he needs to be, professional when he has to be, he was one who helped the Panthers gel. I don't think that can be underestimated in a West Tigers squad made up of so many Melanesians and Polynesians. I bet most kids with islander background in the Penrith area wanted to be Luia rather than Cleary when he played for them.

Interesting also that Patrick Herbert and Starford To'a grew up on the same street together in Whakatane, the same town that Marshall is from.

 

[Pezz70]

Still early days, but the improvement is obvious, defence has been a revelation (up until that last 10 mins v knights), the talk you hear from the team indicates 100% commitment, our attack has improved. In every game this year we have revealed new set plays, some beautifully constructed tricky attacking moves and the execution of those plays while not always perfect has been getting a little bit more polished every week. The construction of those plays indicate to me that Benji could end up being a freak of a coach. The next seven or eight games will be a test. Exciting times.

 

[Tigerm]

Andrew Johns courageously tips Sydney club as premiership contenders

Will the Wests Tigers make it to the first weekend of October?

www.zerotackle.com

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns has made a bold claim that the Wests Tigers can go all the way this year following an outstanding start to their 2026 campaign.
---------------
Hahaha thata boy Joey.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

Andrew Johns courageously tips Sydney club as premiership contenders

Will the Wests Tigers make it to the first weekend of October?

www.zerotackle.com

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns has made a bold claim that the Wests Tigers can go all the way this year following an outstanding start to their 2026 campaign.
---------------
Hahaha thata boy Joey.

This concerns me greatly, as he also said in 2013 that Luke Brooks was the next great halfback.........