The Wests Tigers may not be vocalizing their ambitions, but fans of the club are buzzing with excitement. The upcoming match against Newcastle represents more than just another game in what has been a surprisingly positive start to the season. It offers the team a chance to shake off a long-standing burden that has loomed over them for years.
Supporters, invigorated by their recent victory on Easter Monday, are aware of the implications: if the Tigers triumph over the Knights, they will secure their third consecutive win, a feat not achieved since Round 6 of the 2018 season, which coincidentally falls exactly eight years ago. At that time, Ivan Cleary was still coaching the team and was facing challenges at Penrith rather than celebrating championships.
Back in 2018, only four players from the current squad had made their NRL debuts, and young prospect Heamasi Makasini was just a child of nine. The Tigers’ last finals appearance occurred in 2011, and since then, they have managed to win two games consecutively on 15 occasions, yet have never reached the third win mark.
While achieving three wins may not seem monumental in the grand scheme—especially compared to ending their finals drought—it is a necessary step toward that goal. Although it may not represent the salvation fans have longed for, it serves as a pathway toward future success.
The Tigers have adopted a policy of refraining from discussing past failures, a directive from coach Benji Marshall, who was just beginning his second stint with the club when their last hat-trick was achieved. This approach is prudent, especially given how previous focus on history has hindered the club during difficult seasons. The commitment to this philosophy is evident among the players, with even the usually outspoken centre Sunia Turuva choosing not to engage with the topic.
“We prefer to focus on the present. We know people have opinions about our past, but we have a fresh squad now,” Turuva stated. “I’m pleased with our current position.”
The squad is notably youthful; with Turuva possessing 80 NRL games under his belt, he is the most seasoned among the outside backs. Fullback Jahream Bula, at 24, is regarded as the veteran of the back five, while players like Makasini, Faletino Tavana, and Luke Laulilii highlight the team’s youthful energy. Fonua Pole, in his fifth NRL season at just 23, humorously noted his age relative to his younger teammates.
This youthfulness has emerged as a strength for the Tigers, especially in light of injuries to key players Taylan May and Jarome Luai. The team’s younger members are unburdened by past disappointments, allowing them to respond positively even when faced with significant deficits, as seen in their recent comebacks against the Warriors and Parramatta.
The impact of bench forwards Royce Hunt and Sione Fainu has been instrumental in these comebacks. Over the last three weeks, the Tigers have outscored their opponents by 46-0 in the crucial periods surrounding halftime, thanks to the contributions of Hunt and Fainu.
For the Tigers to maintain this momentum against a formidable Knights team, both Hunt and Fainu will need to continue their strong performances. Additionally, Jock Madden must deliver powerful kicks, while Samuela Fainu needs to play with an aggressive edge. Former Novocastrian Kai Pearce-Paul and Tavana, a local product, also need to showcase their skills consistently.
Consistency is key; it is a simple concept yet challenging to execute. Mastering this skill is crucial for transforming one win into two, and ultimately, into three. Achieving this could allow the Tigers to remain competitive as the season progresses, potentially leading to meaningful matches as winter gives way to spring.
The Tigers understand the precarious nature of their aspirations, having stumbled at this juncture in the past, including five times under Marshall’s guidance. Nevertheless, achieving three consecutive victories would mark a significant accomplishment for the team, instilling a sense of possibility for greater successes ahead. Even if they choose not to dwell on past failures, overcoming smaller challenges is essential to confronting and defeating the larger demons of their history.
