The Wests Tigers enter 2026 after their best finish in many years, having finally avoided the wooden spoon after several seasons at the bottom of the ladder. After finishing last multiple years in a row, the Tigers showed genuine improvement in 2025, finishing 11th and recording nine victories, including wins over strong opposition that suggested the club is beginning to turn a corner.
The acquisition of Jarome Luai on one of the richest contracts in the NRL signalled a major shift in intent for the club. Alongside recruits such as Terrell May and Sunia Turuva, and established leaders including Api Koroisau and Adam Doueihi, the Tigers now possess the framework of a competitive roster.
Young talents like Jahream Bula continue to emerge as genuine long-term building blocks, while edge additions such as Kai Pearce-Paul and returning depth signings like Jock Madden and Patrick Herbert add further balance to the squad.
Despite the improvement, 2025 was not without controversy. The club remained in the headlines for off-field instability, including administrative changes and player departures.
The exits of promising juniors Talyn De Silva and Lachlan Galvin created noise externally, yet internally appeared to galvanise the playing group around a stronger collective identity. The message became clear: commitment to the club comes first.
Defensively, the Tigers still ranked among the poorer sides in the competition, sitting near the bottom despite measurable improvement from previous seasons. A handful of heavy defeats inflated their defensive record, but overall effort and competitiveness lifted under coach Benji Marshall.
Entering 2026, expectations are rising that the Tigers can continue climbing the ladder and push toward finals contention.
For that to happen, improvement must come from within. The roster now has talent, experience and direction, but progression will depend on key individuals elevating their consistency and impact across the season.
5. Royce Hunt
Why his role is so important
Royce Hunt arrived at the Wests Tigers after several seasons with the Cronulla Sharks, where he developed a reputation as a powerful middle forward capable of bending defensive lines and shifting momentum through sheer physical presence. Hunt is a massive unit who, when charging off the back fence, has the ability to punish defensive lines and create quick play-the-balls that put his side on the front foot.
At his best, Hunt provides something every developing side needs: intimidation and impact through the middle. The Tigers are building a forward pack around effort and work rate, and while players like Terrell May can handle large workloads, the side also needs genuine enforcers who can win collisions and generate momentum. Hunt has shown in patches throughout his career that he can be exactly that type of player.
If fully fit, he gives the Tigers balance in their rotation, adding power and aggression that complements their more mobile forwards and allows the team to establish authority through the ruck.
What needs to improve
Injuries have been the biggest obstacle in Hunt's career. During his first season with the Tigers in 2025 he struggled for continuity, spending extended periods either managing fitness issues or playing reserve grade, which limited his impact at NRL level.
There were also perceptions that he was carrying extra weight at times, and without consistent match fitness it became difficult for him to sustain long minutes at the intensity required in modern NRL football. While he has produced strong performances when given extended opportunities, those moments have been too inconsistent to cement him as a dominant middle forward.
For Hunt to reach the level the Tigers need, he must improve his conditioning, durability and ability to maintain high effort across longer stints. Defensive consistency and repeat effort through fatigue will also be key areas of growth, particularly in a side still working to strengthen its defensive standards.
Why his improvement matters
The Wests Tigers' rise toward finals contention depends heavily on strengthening their middle rotation. Workmanlike forwards provide stability, but teams competing deep into seasons also require players who can physically dominate exchanges and shift momentum.
If Royce Hunt can stay healthy, increase his minutes and consistently bend the defensive line, he becomes a major asset. His presence would ease pressure on teammates, allow smarter rotations, and help the Tigers control field position far more effectively.
A fit, motivated and consistent Hunt adds a dimension the Tigers have lacked in recent seasons. If he delivers that in 2026, the entire forward pack becomes more dangerous and the team's overall competitiveness rises significantly.
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