The 2025-26 Wests Tigers pre-season is just commencing, with players starting to return to training this week.
One of the players set to sweat it out at Concord over the summer months is young fullback Jack Attard.
Considered the heir apparent to champion Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards, Attard has ditched the Panthers and come across to our club on a three-year deal.
On this edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast, we dive into what this means for our current fullback Jahream Bula.
Bula, managed by Isaac Moses (who has a rocky history with the Wests Tigers), is in the midst of contract negotiations, and there are concerns that he may be heading elsewhere.
So, is Attard a contingency? An insurance plan? We take a deep dive into that issue on this edition.
Joining Joel on this podcast are the boys from Tiger Town, Zac and Toby, as well as Jordan, Declan, and Nick.
Other topics up for debate include the new gear supply deal with Canterbury Sportswear. With Steeden moving on, Canterbury will soon have a new-look Wests Tigers jersey for us, and we've already seen a fresh training shirt look as well.
The boys discuss expectations and hopes for the new-look Wests Tigers jersey.
Nathan Brown also pops up for a bit of a discussion with reports continuing to link the veteran prop to a farewell season or two with the Tigers.
And then we get into the meat and potatoes topic of this podcast - the 2026 Wests Tigers team.
With a full house of contributors on board, we look at the contentious selection areas for round one and beyond, including Wing, Lock, Prop, and Bench Utility.
There are also a couple of bold predictions, including the potential inclusion of highly touted young Wests Tigers stars, such as Ethan Roberts, Javon Andrews, Phoenix Godinet, and Heamasi Makasini.
It's an exciting time to be a Wests Tigers fan! Don't forget to join in the discussion today on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum!
Listen to "Is Jack Attard a Bula Insurance Policy?" on Spreaker.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I hope this new format of having 6 speakers isnt a long term strategy. Its disconnected and disjointed hearing 6 people share the same thoughts and opinions. not sure we need four other people interjecting with "in respect to what Fred just said......I agree with him, he is 100% right".
Pod is definitely missing the well oiled in format with the founder Eddie, Steve and Garry missing. Not sure going with quantity over quality is going to work.
I also thought that the departure of the co-founder of the pod as well as two long time stalwarts of the pod might have at least warranted a mention, let alone an explanation. Thought that particularly after the work they did with the two petitions and what they brought to the pods and forum, they might have been at least worth a mention. Seems Im wrong.
I hope this new format of having 6 speakers isnt a long term strategy. Its disconnected and disjointed hearing 6 people share the same thoughts and opinions. not sure we need four other people interjecting with "in respect to what Fred just said......I agree with him, he is 100% right".
Pod is definitely missing the well oiled in format with the founder Eddie, Steve and Garry missing. Not sure going with quantity over quality is going to work.
I also thought that the departure of the co-founder of the pod as well as two long time stalwarts of the pod might have at least warranted a mention, let alone an explanation. Thought that particularly after the work they did with the two petitions and what they brought to the pods and forum, they might have been at least worth a mention. Seems Im wrong.
We had a full house as a bit of a one off and to let everyone have the chance to talk about their round one teams, as well as break the ice for people who haven’t been on with each before.
We’ll revert back to a 2 or 3 person line up from now on.
Regarding the other guys, with all due respect, I have said I won’t comment on it and I’m keeping to that.
I will however say that I wish them all the best and I’m appreciative of what they have contributed over the years.
No hard feelings, just change.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I hope this new format of having 6 speakers isnt a long term strategy. Its disconnected and disjointed hearing 6 people share the same thoughts and opinions. not sure we need four other people interjecting with "in respect to what Fred just said......I agree with him, he is 100% right".
Pod is definitely missing the well oiled in format with the founder Eddie, Steve and Garry missing. Not sure going with quantity over quality is going to work.
I also thought that the departure of the co-founder of the pod as well as two long time stalwarts of the pod might have at least warranted a mention, let alone an explanation. Thought that particularly after the work they did with the two petitions and what they brought to the pods and forum, they might have been at least worth a mention. Seems Im wrong.
We had a full house as a bit of a one off and to let everyone have the chance to talk about their round one teams, as well as break the ice for people who haven’t been on with each before.
We’ll revert back to a 2 or 3 person line up from now on.
Regarding the other guys, with all due respect, I have said I won’t comment on it and I’m keeping to that.
I will however say that I wish them all the best and I’m appreciative of what they have contributed over the years.
No hard feelings, just change.
Due respect might have been saying that on the pod....
Great to have another episode to listen to this week, thanks!! I agree that the space was a little crowded with 6 on to comment but I accept the reason why you chose to introduce everyone and give the new line-up a run.
I haven't seen/heard enough about Attard to make a call on his readiness to take over from Bula should he leave us nor do I think that we should stop pursuing an extension from Bula as I see him as one of our best and key to "continued" success. If Jack Attard is our insurance policy then I only hope that we pay the premiums for a while without having to "make a claim" anytime soon.
Koloamatangi would be a sensational pickup for us and well worth chasing after. There is so much media around Bulldogs and Dragons and a few other sides picking up more forwards and I think we need a big catch to match what's happening elsewhere. If Seyfarth is still n the conversation for top 17 then we need to be shopping for someone else. Alex Seyfarth can captain NSW Cup.
Great start to a new (off)season. Welcome to the new contributors on the pod. And a big thanks to those that have moved on. Change is inevitable and often mixed with emotions and reasons. A fresh approach is different and will take time to get used to for many. Keep up the good work Joel.
I'm glad we have signed a bloke like Attard, apparently was earmarked as Penriths replacement for Edwards, so he must go OK. Good for us to at least increase depth and pressure of other players. It seems that a lot of our buys so far have been depth players, certainly something we have needed.. Onwards.. Claws Out..
Great to have another podcast to listen to. Keeps me going in the off season. Some great insights and building up the excitement for 2026. Enjoying hearing from some newer people and looking forward to the following WTPC season 2026 and Joel and Nick being regular hosts.
