For the last decade the Wests Tigers have been the lowest performing team within the NRL. The one time premiership winners are in a world of hurt as they continue their poor form with an extended winless run. The club has seemingly tried every trick in the book over the last few years and now they have gone all in on Benji Marshall and his coaching approach. If the club can’t turn it around now and start to accumulate some points to climb the ladder it’s hard to see where they turn to next.

In the last few years the club has changed the personnel involved in the running the club at an executive level, been through a handful of coaches and had multiple attempts at rebuilding their roster. Heading into 2025 there was more optimism than years gone by from the Tigers faithful as they managed to secure a few key signings, notably four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai to the club. They looked well set up to play an expansive and attacking style of football off the back off an underrated forward pack that was aiming to consistently punch above its weight.

Throughout 2025 we have seen glimpses of what the Tigers are trying to be. Terrell May and Fonua Pole have been the pillars of the forward pack, whilst Twal, Seyfarth and Bird have all made solid contributions. But unfortunately the spine has rarely played together due to injuries, suspensions and Origin commitments which has caused a clear disruption to their style of play.

One thing the club has done well in 2025 is build the culture of the squad, you can see from try celebrations and the way the team interact off the footy field that the players are all invested. The club has taken a very public and at times controversial stance with players who make it clear that they see their future away from the club, notably with young guns Tallyn Da Silva and Lachlan Galvin being moved on midseason despite both having more than a year left on their contracts.

However, the shining light for the club in the long term is the rise of the Fainu brothers who have all played an important role when given the opportunity and look to have all the potential for becoming a platform the club can build around. Latu Fainu is the beneficiary of Galvin’s departure and has seriously impressed in the halfback role, Tigers fans should be excited about the prospect of the partnership he will build with Luai. His brother’s Samuela and Sione have also become very strong contributors to the Tigers forward pack. Samuela in particular has proven to be a damaging ball runner capable of playing big minutes in the back row.

The club has clearer made the commitment that they only want players invested in the project now as they strive to win now. But the problem with committing to a win now approach is that it relies on the club actually winning games, which unfortunately they have struggled to do as of late. It’s a tricky line to walk as the club is aiming for both immediate and long term success. Hence, the clubs next few games are as important as ever because if they keep these losing run going, who knows what is next for the Tigers.