LIVE game discussion. Tigers Team Vs Penrith - Trial#2

[hammertime]

We're in a good position to win the preseason challenge -

Parramatta Eels	15	1	30	Must win with all 3 bonus points AND maintain a higher PD (currently +34).
Canberra Raiders	15	1	30	Must win with all 3 bonus points AND improve PD (currently +26) to > +30.

We missed 1 bonus point (I think the 10+ offloads last game). So if either the eels, raiders or titans win and get all 3 bonus points, they'll beat us.

If they win, but miss 1 bonus point, then it will come down to PD.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Ahh the chin will dash off to the UK for a few weeks

I doubt that Mary is probably on a plane right now headed for Australia for the Asian cup, was confidence she's ready to play.

 

[tiger_one]

Wests Tigers are currently leading the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge.

The winning team will take home $100,000 and a huge shot of confidence to take into the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership.

Every game a team can score up to 15 points each game (12 points for a win and 3 bonus points).
Wests Tigers scored 29 out of 30 points from our two trials but Titans, Eels and Raiders are all on 15 points and playing today.

You receive a bonus point for:
- 10+ offloads
- 5+ line breaks
- 5+ tries

 

[innsaneink]

We missed 1 bonus point (I think the 10+ offloads last game). So if either the eels, raiders or titans win and get all 3 bonus points, they'll beat us.

If they win, but miss 1 bonus point, then it will come down to PD.

Yep
Sharks v raiders
Roosters eels
Storm titans

 

[tigertragic]

This is absolutely our biggest issue.

We give up momentum with slow play the balls and allowing our players to get rolled onto their backs.

Pole and Seyfarth continually have slow play the balls because they are more interested in challenging the ref for a penalty

 

[hank37w]

So Cleary suspended for at least 2 games, 3 if he fights & loses. Does that mean he is out of Dally M contention already?

Yes 2 or more weeks suspension knocks you out of contention.

 

[Spartan117]

Hey Folks Full Replay Here

Full Match Replay: Wests Tigers v Panthers – Week 3, 2026

The Wests Tigers and Penrith Panthers face off in Week 3 of the 2026 Witzer Pre-season Challenge

www.nrl.com

Enjoy

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yes 2 or more weeks suspension knocks you out of contention.

What a D head chin was after the hit throwing his arms in the air claiming innocents, then Ivan sniggering away, nothing to see here, pity a supporter didn't throw a plastic cup full of beer at him.

A day later bet he's not laughing now.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Bula was terrible. I’ve been a fan however he did not seem locked in yesterday. Not saying they’re ready, but Attard and especially Andrew’s showed great signs (especially Andrew’s).

One game for bula, willing to give him some slack, but yes hopefully thats not the standard we can expect.
Attard was okay, agree that Andrews looked very promising

 

[EllisFan]

Pole and Seyfarth continually have slow play the balls because they are more interested in challenging the ref for a penalty

Infuriating. Find it hard to believe the coach hasn’t addressed this with them. teams employ wrestling coaches to win the PTB and we’re giving them freebies.

 

[tiger_one]

What a D head chin was after the hit throwing his arms in the air claiming innocents, then Ivan sniggering away, nothing to see here, pity a supporter didn't throw a plastic cup full of beer at him.

A day later bet he's not laughing now.

All I can offer the Clearys is this:

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

We should temper our enthusiasm a smidge on Jock. Yes he is playing well in these trials and yes the structures look more lethal with him directing them.
These are trials though and I’d remind everyone that one of our best performers in the trials last year was Hope, and many said he deserved to take Tallyns spot. When the real footy started though Tallyn quickly established himself as the preferred 2nd string hooker.
AD is proven during premiership rounds and was one of the few who stood up last year and had a go for us. He was one of our best all year.
We’ll get a better view as the year progresses and my want is the Benji rewards consistency and form fairly.

Agree, another factor he is playing when the NRL players aren’t. I think he was a smart buy especially for cup to teach the kids but not caught up in he must be playing NRL level yet.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Taller, heavier and younger than Luai, might even be faster?

Luai has talents that are not physical and cannot be coached , desire, charisma , courage and leadership skills in droves .. Andrews is also a classy classy young ball playing potential star imo ..let’s just be happy we have them both on our squad coming through at the same time as tavama and Heywood and maka and the CTM and Havea and godinet and latu .. this bond that they are developing is what club spirit and dynasties are built upon .. well done Benji ,, your plans with Richo are starting to bear fruit

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Pole started where he left off . Poor dropped ball. Lack of interest at times. I hope Benji is reminding him therss
Some kids busting to take his spot

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

That whole right edge was pretty ordinary. Admittedly KPP will replace Seyfarth which will help but i wasn't impressed with either Toa or Turuva. Turuva does take the hard hitups but so do most wingers these days. His height is a major concern> Penrith targeted him with their kicks and Jenkins had a field day coming over the top of him on several occasions one that almost led to a try.

Yes, Turuva was targeted in the air by Cleary via Jenkins. This tactic by Jenkins not to attempt to catch the ball but rather bat it back, ought to be looked at by the referees. On one occasion, Jenkins was riding on top of Turuva's back a la an AFL mark but with no intention of catching the ball. So technically he is "playing at the ball", but the intention is to disrupt the defender from ever having a clear sight of the approaching ball. Simply put: run hard at the defender, then turn and jump into the air with eyes on the ball right in the face of the D.

 

[EllisFan]

Yes, Turuva was targeted in the air by Cleary via Jenkins. This tactic by Jenkins not to attempt to catch the ball but rather bat it back, ought to be looked at by the referees. On one occasion, Jenkins was riding on top of Turuva's back a la an AFL mark but with no intention of catching the ball. So technically he is "playing at the ball", but the intention is to disrupt the defender from ever having a clear sight of the approaching ball. Simply put: run hard at the defender, then turn and jump into the air with eyes on the ball right in the face of the D.

It’s legal and relies on the kick being placed well. Something we need to work on.

 

[king_sirro]

Not sure if its been mentioned but its worth highlighting........the pass from Sam Fainu for Makasini's try was pure class. If you watch the replay from behind, his shoulders are turned in. So to be able to catch and pass out with the defence on him and not throw the ball forward is quite incredible.

Just in that try, the following pass from May was a shocker and should have been called forward. Lucky for us it wasnt.

 

[tigerballs]

I’ll have to watch the replay, but I didn’t think Star Toa went as bad as people are making out. Pulled off some good tackles and showed his customary fend with limited opportunities.
Was more concerned with Tiny Mays diabolical attempt on To’o and the forward pass to Maka that would have ruined the highlight reel 😁

Some imbos have a pre set hate for T'oa. He kept Alimonti quiet last night and he and Tito were our best attack early last season. He's a very good player who we need to stay injury free.

 

[Tucker]

Luai has talents that are not physical and cannot be coached , desire, charisma , courage and leadership skills in droves .. Andrews is also a classy classy young ball playing potential star imo ..let’s just be happy we have them both on our squad coming through at the same time as tavama and Heywood and maka and the CTM and Havea and godinet and latu .. this bond that they are developing is what club spirit and dynasties are built upon .. well done Benji ,, your plans with Richo are starting to bear fruit

Luai isn’t a leader. We learnt this from his performance last year.

 

[Telltails]

Some imbos have a pre set hate for T'oa. He kept Alimonti quiet last night and he and Tito were our best attack early last season. He's a very good player who we need to stay injury free.

I've been a huge critic of Toa. Didn't get much opportunity with the ball but they were running there attack on that side and he made some critical tackles one on one that needed to be made.