The Wests Tigers proved too strong for Parramatta on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.

On this edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast, Joel Helmes is joined by Steve Stretton and Nick Hayes to break down the trial win over the Eels.

The boys look at some of the main talking points out of the game, including the form and contribution of recruits Terrell May, Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton, and Royce Hunt.

There's discussion around the possible backline for round one, including whether Adam Doueihi will take one of the centre spots, and Heath Mason's prospects at fullback (if chosen). 

And, naturally, there's a discussion around the Wests Tigers halves with one Wests Tigers Podcast Forum member calling for a radical rethink before the season starts.

Wests Tigers forwards impressed

The Wests Tigers made more metres than the Eels, more post-contact metres, and made more tackle breaks, but despite this, there were a couple of forwards that had relatively quiet games on Friday.

Joel, Steve and Nick take a look at the forward stocks and discuss what might be the best combo for the game against the Knights next weekend.

Hooker discussion also comes up with Tristan Hope impressing in his time on the field, but has he done enough to take the nine jersey from Tallyn Da Silva for that game? 

Do we stick with Alex Twal at lock?

And, is it just us, or have this Tiger's team bonded better over the off-season than going into previous seasons? 

Referee Ashley Klein also gets a mention, though not in a particularly positive manner!

Lots of listener contributions

Thank you to all the members of the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum who contributed their 'One Word' responses, naturally, we will stick with this tradition through the season.

Check out some further tweaks made on the forum, including changes to advertising settings which should make for a better user experience through season 2025.

That's it, the 2025 NRL pre-season is over (thank heavens), let's get on board and enjoy a huge Wests Tigers year together! 

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Eddie, Declan, and Steve have popped up for a mid-week Wests Tigers Podcast!

The 2025 NRL season must be close because a mid-week edition of the Wests Tiger Podcast is warmed up and ready to go.

Prodigal son Eddie returns after a long summer break and is joined by two recent pod part-timers, Steve and Declan. 

The boys give their quick summary and thoughts on the Wests Tigers' first trial of the year last Sunday at Kogarah.

Then they launch into discussion around the future of Wests Tigers prop-forward, David Klemmer.

What to do with big Klem?

There is talk that the veteran front-rower might have played his last game for the club. Is it a good move by Wests Tigers to let him go and join the Dragons this close to the kick-off of the season?

The boys also discuss what we should do with his roster spot and salary if he does depart for St.George-Illawarra, should we be looking for a second rower instead?

Also, does the move leave us light-on upfront, and should we consider Francis Molo as a replacement?

Next up, Parramatta.

Then the discussion turns to this Friday night's second NRL trial with the Wests Tigers taking on the Eels at Leichhardt Oval.

Up for discussion is the selection of Alex Twal at lock, Adam Doueihi at halfback, and the captaincy for Alex Seyfarth, among other topics surrounding this game. 

Lastly, it's the return of Eddie's version of Buy, Sell, or Hold with topics ranging from trial ticket prices to the fortunes of Wests Tigers Coach Benji Marshall if the team has another poor season.

Don't forget that you are invited to join the discussion on everything Wests Tigers, including your thoughts on each edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast, on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum.

And we look forward to getting your 'One Word' submissions on the Eels trial after the match too!

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It was great to see the Wests Tigers in action on Sunday, though most of our star players were absent.

 This edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast is a look back at the 20-14 (four tries to three) loss to the Bulldogs at Kogarah.

As per tradition, we start with a healthy list of 'One Word' submissions about the trial from members of the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum. 

Then we look at some of the positives to come out of the game, including the impressive performances of guys such as Kit Laulilii, Solomon Saukuru, and new buy, Jeral Skelton.

These good showings might make for some rethinking of the round one Wests Tigers team, along with this Friday night's trial against the Eels at Leichhardt Oval.

Other positives?

It is fair to say that the Wests Tigers look fitter than last year, while there seems to be some real class coming through in the next generation of playmakers.

While the strong performances from Royce Hunt and Brent Naden in the Indigenous All-Stars game also give us reason to be optimistic.

More questions than answers

Joel Helmes, Garry Watson, and Nick Hayes, also look at some of the head scratches that still exist, including:

• Sione Fainu, is he a chance of playing on an edge in the NRL?
• What will Tim Johannssen's future bring?
• Who will play fullback in Round One if Bula isn't available?
• What is going on with Justin Olam and his knees?
• If he is out, who will play centre for Round One?
• Is Luke Laulilii out for an extended period?

Some things to be concerned about too.

On the other side of the coin, the boys raise some concerns out of the trial match, including the performance of a couple of guys who we thought might be genuine NRL prospects this year.

We hope you enjoy this first post-match edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast for 2025 and don't forget to join the conversation right now at the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum! 

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After a long off-season Wests Tigers are back in action in the first trial of the 2025 NRL season.

The Wests Tigers will meet the Canterbury Bulldogs at Netstrata Stadium (Kogarah Oval) for the trial match at 5pm this Sunday.

Ahead of that match, the Wests Tigers Podcast team take a look at the side selected by Benji Marshall, and what our expectations are of the team.

Mix of youth and experience

Benji has named familiar faces including Lachlan Galvin and David Klemmer for the match, while new recruit Jeral Skelton will also feature on the wing.

On this edition of the pod, Joel Helmes, Nick Hayes and Garry Watson put under the microscope the naming of those three likely first round NRL players. Is there anything more to read into their selections?

While a whole group of rising stars will also represent the Wests Tigers, including Heath Mason, Latu Fainu, and Tallyn Da Silva.

All eyes will also be on round one hopefuls, including Tim Johannssen, Tony Sukkar, Sione Fainu, and Justin Matamua.

Sione Fainu was named as an edge forward, does that mean he's a chance of grabbing that seemingly vacant second row spot in the NRL team?

A few names missing

Also up for discussion is the whereabouts of a few guys that we thought might feature in this first trial, including Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a and Charlie Staines. Does their exclusion mean they're being considered for the NRL team?

Brent Naden may have also featured in this game, however he, along with Royce Hunt and Reuben Porter, are on 2025 All Stars duties.

While this edition of the podcast wraps up with a quick game of Buy, Sell or Hold with some serious questions around fan expectations and recently departed Wests Tigers players, and a not so serious question about a missing podcast host!

The football is so close you can just about touch it, buckle up for a huge 2025 Wests Tigers season with the Wests Tigers Podcast! and don't forget to join us for lots of great Tigers' discussion through the season on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum!

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The final countdown is now on to the kick-off of the 2025 NRL season and that means the Wests Tigers Podcast is getting back into gear.

After another long off-season, NRL trials are just a few weeks away and on this edition of the pod, we take a look at who we expect to represent Wests Tigers in our first practice match against the Bulldogs.

Guys like Makasini, Mason, Porter, Matamua, and Sukkar are likely to line up in the game at Kogarah, but will any of the more established NRL players make an appearance? 

How about the Wests Tigers playing a game in Las Vegas in 2026? We discuss the rumours our club will be chosen to showcase the game next year, and the plusses and minuses of taking a game to the USA for club and team.

Sione Fainu has taken position 29 in the NRL roster for 2025, we discuss where we see the third Fainu brother fitting in this year, and, what the future might hold for Latu Fainu.

And, what should the club do with the last roster spot?

Stay tuned for a rundown of what we consider the strengths and weaknesses of the 2025 Wests Tigers team and squad.

And we identify some of the best athletes, the most naturally gifted players to have worn a Wests Tigers jersey in battle. Names like McGuinness, Koroibete, Richards, Payten, and Corey Pearson come to our attention.

We hope you enjoy one of the last off-season editions of the Wests Tigers Podcast, buckle up for what looks like a great adventure ahead in season 2025!

And don't forget to join us talking everything Wests Tigers on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum right through the year.

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What a day it is to be a Wests Tigers fan! Sure, we haven't kicked a ball yet in 2025, but today might just be one of the biggest in the club's long history.

Today, Wests Tigers had four independent directors appointed to the club's board.

This means that Wests Tigers now has a board that meets the independent review recommendations that we all fought so hard for. These are directors who bring talent and nous from different backgrounds and are giving of their time and professional skills for one reason - to advance the Wests Tigers.

That is very exciting!

Barry O'Farrell is one of the independent board members, he is expected to be voted in as Wests Tigers Chairman at a meeting later this month.

Joining the representatives from Holman Barnes Group, Balmain Tigers, and Wests Magpies on the Wests Tigers board will be:

• Charlie Viola, Executive Chair of Viola Private Wealth, and former Partner at Pitcher Partners. Charlie is a prominent Financial Advisor and Industry leader, with exceptional financial management, commercial and strategy skills. Charlie grew up in Campbelltown and now lives in the Inner West.
• Michelle McDowell, former Managing Director of Allied Express, brings a wealth of experience in commercial, operations and logistics. Michelle has significant business acumen and is passionate about community. Michelle has deep commercial insights into the Western suburbs of Sydney.
• Annabelle Williams OAM PLY, Former Chair of the Athlete’s Commission for Paralympics Australia, and former Board member of the Paralympics Australia and Swimming Australia. Annabelle is a Lawyer and a decorated athlete, with deep insights in High-Performance, and is an advocate for inclusion and excellence in sport. Annabelle grew up in Balmain.

To mark these important appointments, and this important day, Garry Watson and Joel Helmes sat down and recorded this latest edition of the Wests Tigers Unite podcast. 

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Wests Tigers Unite Update

The guys are back with another update into the petition for an External Review of the Holman Barnes Group, regular Wests Tigers Podcast host, Eddie Otto is joined by Wests Tigers Life’s Rob Bechara and Adrian Tripodina as well as Garry Watson from the Wests Tigers Podcast.

The discussion starts with a chat about Garry’s recent interview with former Holman Barnes Group Director and current Debenture Holder, John Hardgrove. The team give their thoughts on a very open interview and discuss the key points.

The boys then take a look at the statement from the HBG released on Friday that addresses the current fan and media scrutiny that has surrounded the club. The guys give their thoughts in the motivation behind the release and whether this should appease Wests Tigers Fans.

The petition now sits at over 1400 signatures, if you haven’t signed yet, please do so at the link below.

 

An External Review of the Governance of Holman Barnes Group - Petitions.net

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Wests Tigers Unite Update

As the Petition calling for a governance review into the Holman Barnes Group moves towards 1400 signatures Garry Watson sat down for a one-on-one chat with Holman Barnes Group Debenture Holder and former director John Hardgrove.

John gives and in-depth explanation into the debenture system, why it has served the group well and why he no longer believes it is in the best interests of the Holman Barnes Group or the Wests Tigers.

He also discusses the current issues at the Holman Barnes Group as he sees it and what impact that may have on the Wests Tigers.

This is an important listen for all Holman Barnes Group members as well as members and fans of the Wests Tigers.

Look out for the next collaboration podcast coming in the next couple of days for your next Wests Tigers Unite update.

Thank you for listening and please add your signature to the petition if you haven’t already done so.

An External Review of the Governance of Holman Barnes Group - Petitions.net

Thanks for catching this important episode of the Wests Tigers Podcast!

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The Wests Tigers Podcast teamed up with colleagues from several other Wests Tigers pods, social media platforms, and supporter groups to say, "Enough is enough."

The issue we've all been fighting for under the 'Wests Tigers Unite' banner is a review into what we all believe is the archaic and undemocratic debenture group utilized by Wests Tigers majority owners, Holman Barnes Group (HBG).

After launching the joint public campaign, including commencing a petition calling for the review, the Sydney Morning Herald confirmed a probe into the HBG's governance had been launched by Liquor & Gaming NSW.

This is a huge result and means that hopefully, Wests Tigers can benefit from the implementation of review recommendations, including the appointment of highly skilled independent board members.

Working together under the Wests Tigers Unite banner are groups and individuals including:

• Rob Bechara (Wests Tigers Life Podcast)
• Tiger Town Podcast
• The Ambush support group
• Wests Tigers Forum
• Save Leichhardt Oval group

And, us here at the Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum.

So, we thought we would get together and record a podcast that could be shared across the different podcasts. This edition features Rob, Zac from Tiger Town, Will (Spartan 117) from Wests Tigers Forum, and Garry Watson and I.

We hope you enjoy this unique collaboration podcast where we talk about the action, the investigation into HBG governance, the flaws in the debenture system, and what the future might now hold for the club we all love, Wests Tigers! 

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While the rest of the Rugby League world enjoys their Christmas break, the Wests Tigers Podcast returns to work with their second pod in as many days.

This time, Eddie Otto is joined by all the regulars with Joel, Steve, Declan, Nick and Garry jumping on for a chat.

The pod opens with an update on the petition calling for a review into the governance of the Wests Tigers majority shareholder, the Holman Barnes Group, Joel and Steve breakdown the reason for the petition and give an update on how the petition is tracking.

Eddie then plays a game of 25 questions for 2025, hitting the guys with 25 loaded questions.

Questions include: Who are the most underrated and Overrated Wests Tigers Players? Who should be Captain? Is 9th a successful season? Will Galvin re-sign or go to market? And who will have the better season, Stefano or Tyrell May?

The year 2025 is just around the corner and we will see you in the New Year.

Please click below to sign the Wests Tigers Unite petition calling for an independent review of the Holman Barnes Group's governance.

An External Review of the Governance of Holman Barnes Group - Petitions.net

Happy New Year to you from all the team here at the Wests Tigers Podcast!

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