Coming off one of their worst seasons in 2022, the Wests Tigers are on the path to improve in 2023.
Preview
SQUAD
John Bateman, Shawn Blore, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Sione Fainu, Asu Kepaoa, David Klemmer, Apisai Koroisau, Daine Laurie, Ken Maumalo, Brent Naden, Rua Ngatikaura, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Isaiah Papali’i, Fonua Pole, Triston Reilly, Apisalome Saukuru, Alex Seyfarth, Jake Simpkin, Tuki Simpkins, Charlie Staines, Tommy Talau, Starford To’a, Brandon Tumeth, Junior Tupou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Brandon Wakeham, Josh Feledy, Justin Matamua, Will Smith, Christian Ma’anaima, Kitione Kautoga. Coach: Tim Sheens. (as at February 11)
BEST SEVENTEEN
Daine Laurie, David Nofoaluma, Tommy Talau, Brent Naden, Ken Maumalo, Adam Doueihi, Luke Brooks, Stefano Utoikamanu, Api Koroisau, David Klemmer, Isaiah Papali’i, John Bateman, Joe Ofahengaue, Jake Simpkin, Shawn Blore, Alex Twal, Fonua Pole
Outside looking in: Alex Seyfarth, Charlie Staines, Starford To’a, Tuki Simpkins, Asu Kepaoa, Brandon Wakeham, Rui Ngatikura
BEST SIGNING
Embed from Getty ImagesApi Koroisau: The flow-on effect of having a quality dummy half like Api Koroisau at the club can’t be understated. A seasoned premiership winner with the Rabbitohs and Panthers, his experience in the hooking role should do wonders for the halves of Doueihi and Brooks in particular. The guile and craftiness he brings will add a new dimension to the Tigers attack.
KEY PLAYER
Embed from Getty ImagesAdam Doueihi: The spiritual leader of the Tigers, Adam Doueihi will be the focal point of the Tigers attack. Not only has he developed into a skilled five-eighth, but he’s also been one of the few bright spots in some recent dark seasons for the Tigers. He missed the first half of last season recovering from an ACL injury. It was clear the team was missing a spark in attack while he was away. With Jackson Hastings moving to Newcastle, Doueihi will be a crucial part of the Tigers success this season.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Embed from Getty ImagesStefano Utoikamanu: After a promising season in a struggling Tigers side, Stefano Utoikamanu is primed to cement himself as a starting prop. Knowing the Tigers have recruited well in the forwards, this should give Stefano the help he needs to take his game to the next level. The go-forward and damage he can provide with the ball will make him difficult to handle. If he can prove himself at NRL level consistently this year, there’s no limit to what Stefano can achieve in coming seasons.
PREVIEW
Can the return of coach Tim Sheens lead the Tigers back to finals footy for the first time in 12 years? With the players he has recruited, the answer could well be yes.
An overhaul of the roster was the first task in turning around the Tigers’ fortunes. After a decade of mediocre seasons, the quality of players Sheens has signed is a clear indication of his intentions. Additions like Isaiah Papali’i, David Klemmer, John Bateman and Api Koroisau will go a long way to changing the club culture and on-field performances.
Consistency will also be a focus of this new look Tigers team. One factor that will help is some solidarity at coach. The long-term coaching plan involving Tim Sheens mentoring Benji Marshall will mean the coaching controversy that plagued them last year will be firmly in the rear-view mirror. This should bring some peace of mind to the playing group. Although, it may take some time for that to translate to wins.
Looking at the draw, they’ll have plenty of roadblocks in their way. The opening three rounds are favourable with matchups against the Titans, Knights and Bulldogs (first two at Leichhardt Oval). Following that, the draw gets progressively tougher. Over the next 15 weeks, they have all three of their byes (rounds 7, 13 and 17) and play nine games against teams who made finals last year.
With a fresh wave of representative talent coming to the club, expect a big improvement from the Tigers in 2023. If things go their way injury wise and Sheens can get this roster firing, they have the potential to challenge for a top eight spot.
