Tigers 2025 preview: The Luai era officially begins

The Wests Tigers are, for the first time in a long time, the club every single rugby league fan will be expecting great things from in 2025.

Benji Marshall’s boys could have finally landed on a roster that will change the fortunes of the long-languishing Concord team; though Jarome Luai holds the biggest key there.

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I don’t know about anyone else, but this The Sporting Base writer actually feels like the Tigers could be a finals threat quite easily this season. There may be some rocky starts, which is why we’ve said outside the eight for 2025, but Luai’s starpower simply can’t be denied these days. Splash in Lachie Galvin alongside him — and the boy can really play — as well as top recruits like Terell May, Jack Bird, and Sunia Turuva, and things aren’t looking too bad for the three-time spooners.

There’s going to be plenty who disparage Luai, but considering what we’ve seen him do in the representative arena and even his biggest stints with Penrith when Nathan Cleary was injured and I’d say we already know what we’re going to get: A leading halfback who can mould his team and win games.

Even if there’s no finals this year though, it can literally only be up from where the Tigers have been. Should Luai and the rest of the new recruits and developing stars gel together to grab some exciting wins, challenge for the top eight, and generally give Wests fans a season to hope again, that’s already a stunning turnaround.

Should Luai not get the State of Origin callup too, the Tigers could quickly become smokeys for the finals.

I know, wouldn’t that be incredible for Tigers fans. It’s been 14 seasons now; I reckon everyone is secretly backing them this year.

Round 1 side: 1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal Bench: 14. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Coach: Benji Marshall (second year)

Biggest loss: Stefano Utoikamanu Biggest gains: Jarome Luai, Terrell May

First five: Knights (H), Eels (A), Dolphins (A), Warriors (H), Broncos (A)

Last year’s finish: 17th (wooden spoon)

Predicted 2025 finish: 11th

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TopSport odds: Premiers: $46, Top 4: $8, Final 8: $3, Most Losses: $8