Okay guys, i drafted my report today. It's only a draft, so i'm still tinkering with it. Feel free to give me some feedback and give me some ideas of what should be added or removed.
Established in 1999, the Wests Tigers were born out of the Joint Venture of the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies. Both clubs had a 90 year history and were foundation clubs in the Australian Rugby League competition. They won a combined total of 15 premierships (11 Balmain, 4 Western Suburbs).
Due to the war between the Australian Rugby League and Super League, a compromise was reached that by the end of 1999, the competition would be restricted to 14 teams. This left a number of clubs with uncertain futures. In July 1999, after considering the possibility of a joint venture with the Parramatta Eels, a vote was held and it was decided that the Balmain Tigers would form a joint venture with the Western Suburbs Magpies, commencing at the start of the 2000 season.
After a number of marquee signings that included Terry Hill, Jarrod McCracken, Matt Sears, Owen Craigie and John Hoppoate, the club experienced little success in their initial first few seasons.
In 2003, the club appointed 3 time winning premiership winning coach Tim Sheens. Sheens put an emphasis on developing local juniors, paving the way for future stars Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Dene Halatau. To compliment these juniors, a number of marquee signings were announced for the 2004 season including Todd Payten, Scott Sattler, Pat Richards, Scott Prince, and former Magpie Brett Hodgson. The following season the club added premiership winning centre Paul Whatuira to their ranks.
Despite upset victories against both previous years grand finalists, season 2005 got off to a slow start, but the side gradually improved. In round 15, the side beat the Dragons which sparked an 8 game winning streak, a club record. By the end of the regular season, the side finished in 4th place. The finals saw the side win 3 consecutive games, including a 50-6 scoreline against the North Queensland Cowboys. The Wests Tigers would again meet the Cowboys in the grand final and would prevail again 32-16\. this time clinching their maiden premiership. The match would include one of the most famous grand final tries of all time after a Benji Marshall line break and a flick pass around his back saw Pat Richards score in the corner.
Following the 2005 season, the club experienced some lean times and also the departure of Scott Prince to the newly formed Gold Coast Titans. At the start of 2009, the club purchased who some consider one of the clubs greatest players, englishman Gareth Ellis. His addition, along with that of duel international Lote Tuqiri at the start of 2010, helped catapult the club back into finals football in 2010\. In their first final, the Tigers were defeated in a grueling, epic contest that lasted nearly 100 minutes due to extra time. Some consider the match the greatest Rugby League match ever played. The Tigers however did bounce back beating the Raiders the next week, however they they came up agonizingly short in the grand final qualifier, losing 13-12 to eventual premiers, the St George Illawarra Dragons.
2011 saw the club again qualify for the finals, despite internal drama's earlier in the year that ended in grand final hero Bryce Gibbs depart the club. The club again came up short in the finals, being eliminated by the NZ Warriors.
After a disappointing 2012, which saw the club fail to make the finals, coach Tim Sheens was axed. Replacing him, former Bradford Bulls coach, and former St George and Canterbury fullback Mick Potter. Despite the new coach, 2013 was again a disappointment, which resulted in the biggest player in the clubs existence Benji Marshall, leaving the club for Rugby Union.
Another disappointing year in 2014 saw coach Mick Potter axed. Replacing him, Jason Taylor. Taylor has adapted the same philosophy as Tim Sheens in 2003, putting heavy emphasis on developing local juniors. In the process, Taylor parted ways with a number of experienced campaigners including Adam Blair, Braith Anasta, Corey Patterson and Bodene Thompson. With young guns James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks and Curtis Sironen, with a mix of experience from the likes of internationals Robbie Farah and Adam Woods, the club and its supporters hope that a repeat of 2005 is not beyond them
