Tigers Team Vs Penrith - Trial#2

[BlackWhiteGold]

Wests Tigers NRL Head Coach, Benji Marshall has named a 28-man squad to take on the Penrith Panthers in the Club’s second Witzer Pre-Season Challenge fixture.

The Tigers will play host to the Panthers at Leichhardt Oval as part of a double-header on Friday, 20 September – kicking off in the second match of the evening at 8.10pm.

Marshall has named a combination of NRL Top 30, Development, NSW Cup and Wests Tigers Pathways players across an extended squad – bringing in several senior players who sat out the Tigers 42-26 victory over the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Co-captains Api Koroisau and Jarome Luai have been named for their first hit-out of the 2026 campaign, along with senior leaders, Adam Doueihi and Alex Twal.

New recruits, Bunty Afoa and Kai Pearce-Paul will make their first appearance in the orange, white and black after impressing throughout their first pre-season at Concord.

Heamasi Makasini retains his place in the starting side following a hat-trick against the Roosters, while Jared Haywood, Tino Tavana and Javon Andrews have also been named in the extended squad.

Wests Tigers Team List: Pre-season Challenge v Penrith Panthers

1. Jahream Bula
2. Heamasi Makasini
3. Taylan May
4. Star To’a
5. Sunia Turuva
6. Jarome Luai (c)
7. Adam Douiehi
8. Bunty Afoa
9. Api Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
14. Jock Madden
15. Jack Attard
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Sione Fainu
18. Patrick Herbert
19. Tony Sukkar
20. Kit Laulilii
21. Tristan Hope
22. Heath Mason
23. Luke Laulilii
24. Jared Haywood
25. Mavrik Geyer
26. Tino Tavana
27. Charlie Murray
28. Javon Andrews

Match details:
Friday, 20 February
Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt
Kick-off: 8.10pm
Tickets: Available via Ticketek
Broadcast: Live on Fox League and Kayo Sports

 

[Charred]

No temunator 😭

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

No Terrell May or Jeral Skelton from our likely NRL 1st 17.

 

[wstigers11]

No Skelton at all either - him & terrell carrying an injury perhaps

 

[innsaneink]

No Terrell May or Jeral Skelton from our likely NRL 1st 17.

No info either...this pees me off

 

[BunganHead Tiger]

Royce Hunt not there either.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

No Ethan Roberts or Jack Bird either & those out from 1st trial are Godinet, Taupau-Moors, Havea Jr (all 3 likely back to SG Ball), Saukuru, Max & Mitch Taotua, Broederlow, Jack, Matai, Brookes, Lanyon & Craig.

 

[Jimmy]

Good squad. Could see all 28 boys playing a roll this year. Looks like we have some good depth with young prospects and more experienced second grade level players.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

FYI our NSW Cup Magpies team plays a trial against our Ryde Eastwood Hawks Ron Massey Cup team on Saturday at Concord Oval at 2pm. On Bar TV too.

 

[Wiz]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Attard getting the rails run over Logan Brookes? Brookes was good from what I saw last year (which wasn’t every game) and I thought Brookes was at least as good as Attard in the first trial, despite playing significantly less minutes.

 

[wstigers11]

Skelton injured his shoulder at training apparently

 

[gallagher]

Skelton injured his shoulder at training apparently

That's bad luck but I gotta say I'm happy to see big Mak there

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Attard getting the rails run over Logan Brookes? Brookes was good from what I saw last year (which wasn’t every game) and I thought Brookes was at least as good as Attard in the first trial, despite playing significantly less minutes.

Contractual pecking order would play some part.

Attard is on a T&T with guaranteed promotion to Dev in 27, top 30 in 28.

Whereas Brookes is in his final year of just a Pathways type contract atm. Hopefully can be promoted to at least T&T for next season.

 

[wstigers11]

That's bad luck but I gotta say I'm happy to see big Mak there

Yeah if I had to guess Masi would be ahead of him anyway. But that’s why he’s not on the bench at least

 

[cochise]

Pretty happy with that team. Interesting to see Bunty starting

 

[Roar_Power]

No Will Craig either. Surely they would have him there as goalkicker.

 

[area52]

No info either...this pees me off

At this point, it'd be quicker to list what doesn't piss you off.

 

[Ecto-1]

I reckon with Terrell carrying the injury in the offseason they want to give him the extra 3 weeks to get ready.

 

[Yossarian]

Starford better start producing the goods on a more regular basis or he’ll be the Star of NSW Cup.

 

[weststigers]

No Will Craig either. Surely they would have him there as goalkicker.

You his agent or something?