Tigers 2024 preview: All Benji must do is avoid third spoon

Benji Marshall comes into 2024 as the third Tigers coach in two years and the weight of a despondent fanbase is on his shoulders. Luckily for the youngest coach in the NRL, he only needs to do one thing: not finish dead last.

There hasn’t been a worse period in the history of the Wests club, with the flagging team coming off two straight wooden spoons.

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Yet, coming into 2024 there’s hope. The club’s biggest star, Benji Marshall, has taken the reigns after learning the ropes as assistant and the roster is starting to come together. It may still be 12 months until big-name signing Jarome Luai knocks on the door, but all signs point to it only getting better for the toothless Tigers this year.

Last year’s finish: Seventeenth, four wins and 20 losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: Spoon, spoon, 13th, 11th, 9th, 9th, 14th, 9th, 15th, 13th

Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Jahream Bula
2. Brent Naden
3. Justin Olam
4. Starford To’a
5. Junior Tupou
6. Jayden Sullivan
7. Aidan Sezer
8. David Klemmer
9. Api Koroisau
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. John Bateman
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Fonua Pole
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Asu Kepaoa
16. Alex Twal
17. Samuela Fainu

Coach: Benji Marshall

Biggest losses: Luke Brooks Biggest gains: Jayden Sullivan, Justin Olam

How 2024 is looking for Wests

As mentioned, things have been dire for the Tigers for some time and things aren’t going to get better quickly. That said, if there’s one man to turn around the terrible attack the Tigers coughed up in back-to-back spoon years it’s Benji—a star among the best creators to ever play in the NRL. He’s already got to work (a year ahead of schedule after Tim Sheens was sacked) too, with the players talking up his talents in the preseason.

While The Sporting Base doesn’t expect anything huge from Wests just yet, 2024 should mark a step in the right direction. The Tigers are being helped on by worse teams existing, yes, but between Benji getting his feet under the desk and top signings like Isaiah Papali’i and John Bateman settling in, it shouldn’t be another spoon year.

It could always be another glum year for Wests fans, but considering how dire the last two runs have been, anything above dead-last will be a big win.

Predicted 2024 finish: 15th

First five: BYE, Raiders (A), Sharks (H), Eels (A), Dolphins (A)

TopSport odds: Premiers $81, Make Top 4: $16, Make Final 8: $6, Miss The Top 8: $1.08

Pass mark: Anything but another spoon.