It only seems like yesterday Wests Tigers hosted the Newcastle Knights in round one of the 2025 NRL premiership.
In front of a big Friday night crowd (pictured above) the new look Tigers showed heaps of promise before being narrowly defeated 10-8.
They bounced back to record two wins in a row, on the road.
The first was at Parramatta, where they thumped the Eels 32-6, then travelled up to Queensland where they mauled the Dolphins 30-18.
Two out of three, you bloody beauty.
In round four they were back at Campbelltown, up against a very physical NZ Warriors side, who in the end pipped them 26-24 – the second loss by two points for the Tigers this season.
There were high hopes they would bounce back once again, but things just did not go their way against the Broncos in Brisbane.
But while the final score of 46-24 may look like a thrashing for those who did not see the game, this was anything but.
Indeed, in the first half the Tigers trailed by just two points, thanks to some poor kicking.
They had scored more tries than the home side, and were looking good up until they went off for the break.
A combination of 50-50 calls going against them and at least two tries scored off forward passes meant that the Tigers had no chance in the second half.
It was interesting that the usual suspects didn’t come out and declare the Tigers were gone for the season.
The players battled on gallantly for the last 40 minutes in a sign the 2025 version of the team is very different from the one of the past five years.
But back to round six this Sunday, when the Tigers travel to Newcastle to exact revenge for that first round defeat at Campbelltown.
It won’t be easy, but it won’t be impossible either.
Coach Benji Marshall has rushed back the three stars missing from the Broncos game, Jarome Luai, Jeral Skelton and Samuela Fainu in a massive boost.
The match will kick off at 4.05pm.
TEAM LIST: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Adam Doueihi, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Lachlan Galvin, 7. Jarome Luai (c), 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau (c), 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Alex Seyfarth, 13. Alex Twal. INTERCHANGE: 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Royce Hunt, 16. Jack Bird, 17. Sione Fainu. RESERVES: 18. Tony Sukkar, 19. Heath Mason, 20. Luke Laulilii, 21. Brent Naden, 22. Kit Laulilii.
