NRL 2024: Wests Tigers production line in full swing as the next crop of talent at Concord is revealed
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has some of the best rugby league rising talent in the country at his disposal. We take a look at the rising pathways players next in line.
Fatima Kdouh
The Wests Tigers production line is in full swing.
Coach Benji Marshall has one eye on the future and hasn’t been afraid to blood the club’s most promising rookies in 2024, handing out 10 NRL debuts so far this season, including boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin.
The 18-year-old Galvin is at the centre of a Tigers revival, the foundation of which will be built around the club’s best pathways talent.
The Tigers’ back-to-back wins has featured teenagers Galvin, Jordan Miller, Heath Mason and Luke Laulilii – who are all local juniors.
It not only put the spotlight on the club’s pathways but has fans wondering who is the next in line?
Inside Wests Tigers’ booming junior production line.
The likes of centre Heamasi Makasini and playmaker Onitoni Large, who starred in Harold Matthews (under-17s), are rated as some of the best prospects in the country.
While others like back rower Archie Duncombe, 18, is another local junior who is considered one of the most promising forwards at the Concord club.
We take a look at the youngsters that Marshall will have at his disposal, now and into the future, as part of the club’s roster rebuild.
WESTS TIGERS' THRIVING JUNIOR NURSERY
Heamasi Makasini
Grade: Harold Matthews (under 17’s)
Position: Centre
Age: 16
A standout for the Magpies, Makasini was named the Harold Matthews player of the year and finished the under 17’s season as the top try scorer. Makasini is not only one of the brightest prospects at the Tigers but in the junior ranks. Physically, the damaging centre is considered ready for NRL.
Alex Isdale
Grade: Harold Matthews
Position: Halfback
Age: 17
Described as the ‘ultimate professional’, Isdale’s work ethic is impressing coach staff at the Tigers. The club has high hopes for Isdale and is considered a genuine NRL prospect. The diminutive halfback isn’t afraid to take on the line, is a game manager and solid defensively. Like Makasini, Isdale has got a taste of the NRL program and trains with the squad one day per week.
Onitoni Large
Grade: Harold Matthews
Position: Five-eighth
Age: 16
Large is considered the best halves prospects in the country at his age level. Despite his tender age, Large was invited to train with the NRL squad during the preseason. A gifted playmaker, Large also packs plenty of speed and has built a damaging combination with Makasini in 2024. A top retention priority, the club is keen to lock down the Scots College student and junior Wallabies captain long term.
Heith Pritchard
Grade: SG Ball (under 19’s)
Position: Hooker
Age: 18
Still eligible for SG Ball, Pritchard was elevated into the Jersey Flegg side this year as a utility on the bench. The youngster can cover multiple roles including in the halves, hooker and even at centre.
Archie Duncombe
Grade: SG Ball
Position: Backrower
Age: 17
A St Gregory’s College product, Duncombe is a tough backrower that is always willing to do the hard yards and is a strong ball carrier. But the budding forward has the ball playing skills to match. Considered one of the best second row prospects coming through the ranks at the club. Like Pritchard, has been elevated into Jersey Flegg this year, where is starting on an edge.
Kobie Wilson
Grade: Jersey Flegg (under 21’s)
Position: Hooker
Age: 20
Wilson is a genuine No.9 who brings plenty of energy from dummy half that caught the attention of coaching staff. The skipper has crisp, clean service out of dummy half but is also willing to run the ball and probe the line. The former Cronulla Sharks junior hasn’t taken a backward step since joining the Tiger and was named skipper of the Jersey Flegg side.
Lachlan Broederlow
Grade: Jersey Flegg
Position: Second row
Age: 20
Broaderlow started his journey in the Canterbury Bulldogs pathways but joined the Tigers looking for an opportunity, one he is making the most of at Concord. A tough backrower, who gets the job done in defence and can run a good line, Broaderlow has played five games in NSW Cup this year.
Tony Sukkar
Grade: NSW Cup
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Sukkar was named as 18th man, for the first time this year, against the Raiders as the forward edges closer to an NRL debut. He featured in both of the Tigers pre-season challenge matches earlier this year. A forward, who can play up front and on an edge, Sukkar Still eligible for Jersey Flegg, Sukkar has nailed a spot in the NSW Cup side in recent weeks.
Cayne Nicholas
Grade: NSW Cup
Position: Lock
Age: 20
Nicholas started the year in Jersey Flegg at lock but was elevated to NSW Cup earlier this month, where he has played off the bench. The workhorse lock forward, who can also fill-in at hooker, is always willing to roll-up his sleeves and do a mountain of work in defense.
2024 Tigers debutants
- Lachlan Galvin
- Jordan Miller
- Heath Mason
- Luke Laulilii
- Latu Fainu
- Sione Fainu
- Solomona Faataape
- Alex Lobb
- Reuben Porter
- Solomon Alaimalo
www.nswrl.com.au
