Hey all, I thought I would start a thread to discuss season 2026 through the rest of this season and the off-season.
Firstly, we’re recording a pod tomorrow night and one of the topics will be - At this early stage, what are three things to be optimistic about for next season, and what are three things to be pessimistic about at this point?
Please feel free to add in your answers here and we will discuss your contributions on that podcast.
Thanks!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
1. Improved roster for both the first grade side and Magpies
2. A more experienced Benji
3. Confident ending to 2025 season
1. Benji 3rd year as head coach hopefully means we have crossed over beyond learning into being a genuine coach. He has man management down pat, is a great recruiter but he lacks game plans.
2. the squad is 90% capable and another off season with multiple teams in the league expected to be in rebuild mode gives us it he chance to cherry pick the rep level quality that we need to get into a top 4 threat but a rebuild team can’t utilise. Cowboys and Titans are the key targets for these.
3. A strong finish this year and start next year should cascade into more positive media narrative that the likes of the bulldogs and (bizarrely) the eels are getting this year. This finally lifts pressure off the club that he held us back.
1. Cut a lot of deadwood
2. The talent floor has been raised. Especially in the 2nd row
3. Api was quiet in his first year and really broke out in his 2nd. I reckon the same might happen with Luai.
So, after that second half last night, where are we at for 2026?
I think the backs are sorted. Forwards and winning the collision (albeit we did a good job against Canberra in this regard) are still the main problem imo.
I'm not sure KPP fixes this, but it does allow Sione to move back into the middle rotation. We're still one genuine wrecking ball (JFH, AFB type) away, I think.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
@joel The major concern for 2026 is why this group of individuals can not compete for 80mins ,this is nothing new 2024 was the same under Marshall as coach . There obviously is a missing link in the organisations high performance area , it’s not the facilities at the COE as this was always the complaint at the old training facility at Concord . Adding more players is well and good but that’s a useless exercise if this entrenched issue is not addressed…the game is for 80 min but with Marshall as coach the team can only be competitive for 60 mins there is only one question that needs to be asked at the seasons end review why is this !
@joel The major concern for 2026 is why this group of individuals can not compete for 80mins ,this is nothing new 2024 was the same under Marshall as coach . There obviously is a missing link in the organisations high performance area , it’s not the facilities at the COE as this was always the complaint at the old training facility at Concord . Adding more players is well and good but that’s a useless exercise if this entrenched issue is not addressed…the game is for 80 min but with Marshall as coach the team can only be competitive for 60 mins there is only one question that needs to be asked at the seasons end review why is this !
Look at our bench and you find your answer. Still too many players that aren't NRL quality, this leads to you over playing your players so it hits you on 2 fronts.
Your replacements aren't able to compete at the same level and your starters are unable to maintain the same level as they are being over played.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
With everyone fit and healthy we have a competitive top 8 starting 13. Our 14 - 17 is bottom 4 at best as it provides zero impact. The remaining 13 players comprising the top 30 is just sub-par.
Whilst disappointing, finishing 13th certainly beats earning another wooden spoon. We have some of the competitions best young talent and are a couple of middle forwards away of being in the finals.
KPP at worst will solidify our right edge defence and best case scenario he'll have the same impact as Samuela in attack.
An article I wrote this week for Code Sports:
Give up? Raise the white flag? Walk away? Most reasonably minded Wests Tigers fans have likely contemplated finding an escape hatch at some point in the past decade.
Consistently losing on the field, the desertion of generational talent to other clubs, having a coach walk out mid-contract to win four straight premierships elsewhere, a CEO that was fudging membership numbers, archaic home grounds, and never-ending boardroom and ownership turmoil would test the most patient and loyal sports fan.
We Wests Tigers fans have been through it all. You name it, we’ve probably experienced it. We’ve been to Hades so many times it feels like we have a standing reservation!
Read the rest here...
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
This why true Wests Tigers fans are the most loyal around 🤣
