2024 Pre-Season

[GNR4LIFE]

You’re not considering context.
What was the probability of the Tigers making the finals for all those years, given that a Benji Marshall injury was all that was needed to derail a club that didn’t have the high profile playing roster of its competitors. I don’t recall a season (maybe there were a couple around 2010) where we were considered a strong chance of finishing top four and competing for the trophy. Each time we finished 9th most experts still considered the Tigers had probably over achieved. And I’ll ask again, name another halfback/five eighth who has lifted the Tigers into the top eight just once.

Josh Reynolds ❌
Mitchell Moses ❌
Luke Brooks ❌
Moses Mbye ❌
Adam Douehi ❌

Some of those players won at origin level and played grand finals at stronger clubs.

So it’s the club‘s fault then? Yet, the halfback who just left, it was all his. Remember all the jokes about him never playing a final?

 

[BAGNF05]

So it’s the club‘s fault then? Yet, the halfback who just left, it was all his. Remember all the jokes about him never playing a final?

I make the same argument about him regularly mate. It’s a huge task getting a battling club to the top eighth in the NRL.

Benji did it three times. And injuries prevented it happening more.

If Turbo stays fit this year Brooksy probably chalks up his first finals campaign. Team sport.

Personally I am excited to see if three (maybe four) time Premiership winning playmaker Jarome Luai (proven winner) is able to overcome the odds.

 

[Lestronge]

You’re not considering context.
What was the probability of the Tigers making the finals for all those years, given that a Benji Marshall injury was all that was needed to derail a club that didn’t have the high profile playing roster of its competitors. I don’t recall a season (maybe there were a couple around 2010) where we were considered a strong chance of finishing top four and competing for the trophy. Each time we finished 9th most experts still considered the Tigers had probably over achieved. And I’ll ask again, name another halfback/five eighth who has lifted the Tigers into the top eight just once.

Josh Reynolds ❌
Mitchell Moses ❌
Luke Brooks ❌
Moses Mbye ❌
Adam Douehi ❌

Some of those players won at origin level and played grand finals at stronger clubs.

We were the favourites in 12 and 13 .

 

[BAGNF05]

We were the favourites in 12 and 13 .

2012 rings a bell off the back of two strong years. 2013 surprises me but I’ll take your word. What about all the other years, probably not even considered among the top half of the comp by most. We all know you can get some tasty odds on the Tigers this time of year.

 

[KingRobbie]

Pretty sure Latu is ok to play in trials, just has to sit out an nrl approved game.

“Meanwhile, Sea Eagles speedster Toluta'u Koula, Wests Tigers recruit Latu Fainu and Rabbitohs hooker Siliva Havili have each been suspended for one match following incidents in Tonga's third Test loss England in November last year.

The trio were charged by an IRL match review committee and are therefore able to serve their suspensions in the 2024 NRL Pre-Season Challenge in February.”

 

[stephen]

Agree. Only a fool would question the talent of both Benji & Robbie. I would've preferred to see a bit more "bread & butter" footy from them at times. Both guilty of ego plays at the wrong time.

 

[Tucker]

Agree. Only a fool would question the talent of both Benji & Robbie. I would've preferred to see a bit more "bread & butter" footy from them at times. Both guilty of ego plays at the wrong time.

They are the reason most of us stuck it out with this club.
The B&R show was not often competent…but it was bloody entertaining and we were always a chance with them firing.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Agree. Only a fool would question the talent of both Benji & Robbie. I would've preferred to see a bit more "bread & butter" footy from them at times. Both guilty of ego plays at the wrong time.

I question why with so much talent, they underachieved as much as they did. I think all supporters should.

 

[Tucker]

I question why with so much talent, they underachieved as much as they did. I think all supporters should.

It was a combination of tragedies…
Sycophantic coaching
Boys club team selections
Poor recruitment
Over confidence in club juniors

We failed to leverage 05 and build a powerhouse club around them. It was decided by the powers above that we already had the cattle to form this dynasty. They were wrong.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It was a combination of tragedies…
Sycophantic coaching
Boys club team selections
Poor recruitment
Over confidence in club juniors

We failed to leverage 05 and build a powerhouse club around them. It was decided by the powers above that we already had the cattle to form this dynasty. They were wrong.

Ironically our big year was meant to be 06, with O’Hara, Galloway, Lolesi and Sam Harris joining the club. 3 of those guys turned out to be duds, and big red was a slow burner

 

[Tigerwould]

In today’s SMH. Behind a paywall

 

[innsaneink]

Rowdy started 06 too I think

 

[Roar_Power]

The 193cm Tigers teen who was axed by Parramatta … for being too small​

By Christian Nicolussi​

February 10, 2024 — 5.46am
Save


Teenager Lachie Galvin is in the frame to make his debut for the Wests Tigers in their first game of the season, two years after being cut by Parramatta for being too small
Galvin is only 18, but has quickly impressed coach Benji Marshall to the point the first-year coach is not afraid to go all in with the five-eighth for the club’s season opener, an away trip to Canberra in round two following a round one bye.

Tigers fans are celebrating the arrival of Jarome Luai for 2025, but the more pressing concern is the four-into-two halves conundrum with the experienced Aidan Sezer, energetic Bud Sullivan, youngster Latu Fainu – who is unavailable for the Raiders game due to suspension – and Galvin.
Galvin had a growth spurt after being cut by the Eels and now stands at 193cm and weighs 91kg. He was named player of the tournament at the Australian schoolboys tournament last year, then captained the Australia Schoolboys side to victory against Papua New Guinea.

Australian Schoolboys coach Tim White also coached former Tigers Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks at Holy Cross College, but said Galvin’s size gave him a slight edge over the established pair.
“He’s a rarity in that he is tall, deceptively strong, quick, and is just an old-school footy player,” White said. “You can’t coach what Lachie’s got.

The 18-year-old Lachie Galvin stands at 193cm and weighs 91kg.CREDIT:WESTS TIGERS

“It would be a steep learning curve for him if he was to play in round one – his last game was with the schoolboys in Papua New Guinea – but he wouldn’t embarrass himself. In fact, he’d be the dominant player in the halves with what they’ve got there at the moment.
“I also coached Mitch and ‘Brooksy’ here at Holy Cross. They were standouts. If you were to group them, the three of them are very similar, and if anything, Lachie has that edge because he’s such a big thing.”


Galvin hails from Campbelltown, was picked up by the Eels in his teens, and played a couple of seasons in Harold Matthews before he was cut loose.
“They told me they didn’t have a spot for me, and I was too small,” Galvin said. “I wasn’t upset. I only had a growth spurt two years ago. I went back to Wests and trialled for the Harold Matts, and we won it the following year [in 2022].”

Galvin as a schoolboy playing for NSW City against Country.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS

As for being ready for the NRL in round one, Galvin said: “I’d never say no. Whatever Benji wants me to do, I will do. I’m a running half, I like to play a bit off the cuff. Benji just tod me to play what I see, and be confident with what I do – he told me if I’m going to do something, do it at 100 per cent.”
Galvin was an Eels supporter growing up, and sheepishly admits to being too young to watch Marshall when he was in his element. He was still impressed the coach could put on a step at training, and said, “He’s still at his best, even in his 40s”.

Marshall – who, for the record, is 38 – told this masthead about Galvin: “I’m not afraid to throw any of them in. That’s why I’m the coach. The trials and pre-season will dictate which way we go.
“Just because you’re 18 means nothing. If you’re good enough you’re old enough. He’s a really good kid.”
Sullivan admits to occasionally being a “fan boy” when it comes to Marshall.
“‘Bud’ [Sullivan] might be getting carried away, and the times I’m yelling and screaming at him, I don’t think he sees me as a fan boy then,” Marshall said.

“Because I played a certain way doesn’t mean I’m going to coach these guys to play a certain way. That would be unfair.”

 

[BAGNF05]

I question why with so much talent, they underachieved as much as they did. I think all supporters should.

1. Injuries (mainly Benji)
2. The club probably mortgaged the ranch to keep them
3. The obvious disparity in club spending when you compare us to the filthy rich, perennially successful clubs.

 

[Telltails]

1. Injuries (mainly Benji)
2. The club probably mortgaged the ranch to keep them
3. The obvious disparity in club spending when you compare us to the filthy rich, perennially successful clubs.

Benji could single handedly bamboozle opposition sides like no one before him and changed the game. There is a reason he is held in such high esteem from players - even with his weaknesses.

 

[BAGNF05]

Benji could single handedly bamboozle opposition sides like no one before him and changed the game. There is a reason he is held in such high esteem from players - even with his weaknesses.

At his peak, we were always a legitimate chance to win the game, despite probably sitting mid table most of the time. He was an x-factor talent who could lift a whole team. Different to most other star playmakers who could play a game manager role in a strong system and seize the key moments. As an NFL fan, it’s like comparing Lamar Jackson to Tom Brady. One wins a lot and is ultimately considered better, but talent wise?

 

[Needaname]

So it’s the club‘s fault then? Yet, the halfback who just left, it was all his. Remember all the jokes about him never playing a final?

Brooks will break his duck this year.
Manly are in for a big year.

 

[Needaname]

We were the favourites in 12 and 13 .

No way were we favourites in 13. We were closer to Wooden Spoon favourites in 13.

 

[BAGNF05]

Brooks will break his duck this year.
Manly are in for a big year.

If they have trained Brooksy up in sports massage and have him working around the clock on Turbo’s hammies.

 

[Telltails]

At his peak, we were always a legitimate chance to win the game, despite probably sitting mid table most of the time. He was an x-factor talent who could lift a whole team. Different to most other star playmakers who could play a game manager role in a strong system and seize the key moments. As an NFL fan, it’s like comparing Lamar Jackson to Tom Brady. One wins a lot and is ultimately considered better, but talent wise?

Yep. Saw him single handedly turn games on their head too many times. Sure stuffed things up too - risk doesn't always bring reward - but the Wests Tigers was a joy to follow during that period. Just never knew what was going to happen next, but when it did it was glorious and that was all on the back of BM.