The Wests Tigers have been a team under pressure for the last month or so. The amount of off-field turmoil that has engulfed the club and the resulting media speculation made it very difficult for the players, coaches and club hierarchy to maintain their positive outlook on the 2025 NRL season. However, having weathered the storm the Tigers put in a performance the whole club can be proud of.

On Sunday the Wests Tigers delivered a thrilling 30-28 point victory over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The win not only marked a significant improvement in their on field performances, but showed the winning mentality throughout the squad that was tested for depth as many of their key players and leaders were missing. It was clear that every member of the Tigers squad was motivated and driven to put their best foot forward and the side got the rewards they deserved.

Notably, one of the most remarkable feats seen in the NRL occurred when the three Fainu brothers all crossed over the white line and scored a try each. Latu, Samuela and Sione are vastly different players but together they form a great backbone to the Wests Tigers and are clearly a group the team can build around. The fact they all scored puts them in the record books as the first ever trio of brothers to score int he same match for the same club.

We have all followed the Lachlan Galvin saga and more recently the debate around the release of Tallyn Da Silva which have both attracted serious media attention. But even the week leading into the game agains the Roosters there was more media scrutiny of the club with a bust up between Adam Doueihi and Benji Marshall being reported. But if the performance was anything to go by, it doesn’t seem like there has been much ongoing tension. The Tigers are becoming very good at ignoring the outside noise as they focus on building a team that is cohesive and committed.

Whilst this win still leaves the club down the bottom end of the ladder, there is plenty of hope that they can use this victory as a turning point in the 2025 season. Nothing eases pressure on a coach like a win so hopefully the Benji Marshall and his coaching staff can keep the momentum going as they look to take on the Warriors this Sunday.