Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers
Club information
Full name Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club
Colours      White
     Gold
     Black
Founded 27 July 1999
Website weststigers.com.au
Current details
Ground(s)
CEO Justin Pascoe
Coach Ivan Cleary
Captain Benji Marshall, Josh Reynolds, Chris Lawrence, Elijah Taylor and Russell Packer
Competition National Rugby League
2018 season 9th
Current season
Records
Premierships 1 (2005)
Runners-up None
Minor premiership None
Wooden spoons None
Most capped 256 - Robbie Farah
Highest points scorer 1131 - Benji Marshall

The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football merger club based in the contiguous regions of the Inner West and Western Sydney. They have competed in the National Rugby League since being formed at the end of the 1999 NRL season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies.

The Wests Tigers started playing in the 2000 NRL season and they won their maiden premiership in 2005. It is one of only two clubs (the other being the Newcastle Knights) that has never lost a Grand Final in which it has participated.[1] The club also won the World Sevens in 2004.

The Wests Tigers play home games at three grounds: Leichhardt Oval (the home ground of Balmain), Campbelltown Stadium (the home ground of Western Suburbs) and Western Sydney Stadium as of 2019, which is now their main venue. They are currently coached by Ivan Cleary. The club CEO is Justin Pascoe and the general manager is Kelly Egan.

History

The nine foundation clubs and their respective locations in Sydney, Australia.

Background

In Australia, the game of rugby league began in 1908; the New South Wales Rugby League premiership (NSWRL) had nine teams from the Sydney area. Two of those teams were clubs based in Balmain and the Western Suburbs who happened to meet each other in round 1 of 1908. Balmain won, 24 to 0. The Balmain club, who later adopted a Tiger as their emblem, in their tenure in the NSWRL won eleven premierships in twenty grand finals and was one of the forces in the NSWRL competition. However their last premiership success was in 1969 and in the 1990s with many new clubs being established, there was pressure on clubs to perform to survive in the first grade competition in Australia.[2] The name Wests Tigers is derived from the nickname of the Western Suburbs Magpies and the mascot, a tiger, which is also the mascot of Balmain.

The Western Suburbs club won four premierships in twelve grand finals over the tenure of the NSWRL competition. The Western Suburbs Magpies, like the Balmain Tigers, had a dismal 1990s winning rate, and again there was pressure on the foundation clubs to perform. The NSWRL competition was replaced by the Australian Rugby League competition (ARL) in 1995 due to the expansion of rugby league within Australia.[2]

With a media-driven rival competition being set up, the pressure was for clubs to survive and preserve their short-term future. Both the Magpies and the Tigers signed with the ARL, whereas eight clubs of the 1995 ARL competition signed with the rival Super League competition for 1997. In 1998, the ARL and Super League were unified into a National Rugby League (NRL) competition.[2] As part of the deal with the ARL and Super League, the NRL competition would reduce down to fourteen teams in 2000 from the twenty two that had competition in both competitions in 1997. With the addition of a team in 1998, this meant that nine teams would be forced out before the 2000 season.[2]

Foundation

With the NRL offering guaranteed entrance into the 2000 competition and A$6 million funding for clubs that merged, many clubs that were struggling to compete were negotiating to merge. Balmain had garnered interest to merge with the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Chargers while Western Suburbs had talked with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers. Both Balmain and Western Suburbs felt that those offers were seen more as takeovers of their clubs rather than mergers. By June 1999, both clubs' boards had unanimously voted to form a joint-venture partnership with each other to make a competitive entity.[2]

One hundred shares were issued to Balmain Tigers Rugby League Football Club and 100 shares were issued to Western Suburbs Rugby League Football Group Pty Limited as a 50/50-owned joint venture. Due to Western Suburbs's record-breaking dismal season in 1999, they supplied just six of the twenty-five players to the new joint venture. A board of directors was appointed with five sourced from Balmain, five sourced from Western Suburbs, with a rotating chairman serving a one-year appointment. The chairman and CEO appointments for the inaugural season were from Western Suburbs.[2]

Playing Seasons

Early years 2000-2002

Balmain coach Wayne Pearce was the initial coach of the Wests Tigers and new recruit Jarrod McCracken was named captain. Before the first round the Tigers were controversially denied a place in the double header at Stadium Australia. The debut match for the side was therefore held at Campbelltown, against eventual premiers the Brisbane Broncos, where after leading 18–6 the side snatched a 24-all draw after falling behind late in the game. John Skandalis scored the Tigers' first ever try.

The Tigers surprised many by maintaining a high place on the ladder for most of the year (often in second place). Losses to the Penrith Panthers (after leading 31–8) and in the snow against the Canberra Raiders combined with injuries to key players saw the Tigers slide out of the top eight.[3] The loss of captain Jarrod McCracken from a spear tackle against Melbourne was a crucial blow.[4]

A highlight of their first season is that Wests' Joel Caine claimed the 2000 NRL season's top point-scorer spot.

2001 was a tough season for the joint venture club, including off-field incidents. After Wayne Pearce announced he would no longer coach the team, Terry Lamb was appointed to the position. This was a controversial selection because of animosity from Balmain supporters due to an incident involving Ellery Hanley in the 1988 Grand Final (see Terry Lamb entry for more information).

Early in the season, key players Craig Field and Kevin McGuinness tested positive to prohibited drugs and both received a one year suspension.[5] Field was the team's halfback and playmaker while McGuinness was a leading try scorer for the club.

Later in the season another big name player was suspended: John Hopoate earned worldwide notoriety when he was charged with inserting his finger into the anus (pushing the players' shorts) of opposition players.[5] Hopoate quit the club and received a long suspension.[6] Lamb was criticised for seeming to condone the activity[7].

During the season the club announced Terry Lamb would not have his contract renewed.[3] The side struggled near the foot of the ladder and only a large victory over Souths moved them clear of the wooden spoon position.

The coaching job for 2003 was offered to (and rejected by) both Craig Bellamy and Ian Millward before Tim Sheens was selected. The selection was by no means seen as a positive move by the media as Sheens' most recent coaching stint had seen him sacked by the North Queensland Cowboys.[8]

Coach: Tim Sheens 2003 - 2012

The 2003 season was notable for the emergence of new young players through the team as the club moved away from the era of big names and big money signings and focused on developing junior talent. Most notably Benji Marshall, then a schoolboy prodigy with no senior league experience, made his debut against the Newcastle Knights.

The Tigers improved greatly in 2004 aided by signings of players such as Brett Hodgson and Pat Richards who began to blend well with the younger players emerging as talents. The Tigers narrowly missed the playoffs after losing their final three games when a single victory would have guaranteed finals football for the first time.

Premiership success

For more information, see 2005 Grand Final

2005 was the Wests Tigers best season yet, as they not only made it to the finals for the first time, but also reached the top four in the round robin part of the competition, setting crowd attendance records at three different grounds: Campbelltown Stadium (20,527), Telstra Stadium (29,542) and Leichhardt Oval (22,877).

After a slow start, bookmakers rated the Tigers a 150–1 chance to win the premiership.[3] However the club emerged from the bottom half of the table to win a club-record eight in a row before finishing fourth. The team developed a reputation as a flamboyant attacking side who played at a rapid pace to compensate a lack of forward size.

The Tigers played their first ever final as a joint venture club at Telstra Stadium against North Queensland Cowboys. Backed by a passionate crowd the team won 50–6. They then beat the Brisbane Broncos 34–6 and premiership favourites St George Illawarra Dragons 20–12 to book a spot against the Cowboys.

Based on their winning form (they had won 11 of their last 13) and their big win over the Cowboys in the opening finals game, the Wests Tigers were rated favourites to win the 2005 grand final. After a slow start, Bryce Gibbs and Pat Richards scored tries to give the Tigers a 12–6 lead. The Richards try was ranked the second best try of all time in the NRL's Centenary of Rugby League 100 Hot Tries survey.[9] The try was started by five-eighth Benji Marshall, who received the ball from Brett Hodgson (after receiving a down field kick) 98 metres from the opposition tryline. He beat Cowboys five-eighth Johnathan Thurston and Matt Sing. Marshall then ran 60 metres, only to be caught by Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen. He made a flick pass to Pat Richards behind his back, who then fended off Rod Jensen to score.

In the second half the Tigers gained control with tries to Anthony Laffranchi and Daniel Fitzhenry. After withstanding a Cowboys fightback, a Todd Payten try on full-time sealed a 30–16 win. Captain Scott Prince was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for 2005.

The premiership victory meant that the club joined an exclusive group that won premierships in their first finals appearance, which had not been achieved in almost 100 years. The group also includes Souths in 1908 and Newtown in 1910.

At the end of the 2005 season, Wests also signed Malaysian car manufacturer Proton as its major new sponsor on a contract estimated to be worth more than $1 million.[10]

Post Grand Final failure

Following the premiership win several key players left the club. From the grand final team, Mark O'Neill, and Pat Richards signed with English clubs (Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors respectively). New signings included Jamaal Lolesi (Bulldogs), Keith Galloway (Cronulla Sharks) and Ryan O'Hara (Canberra Raiders).

As defending premiers, the Wests Tigers began the season by travelling to England to play English Super League champions the Bradford Bulls. Missing many of their star players, the Tigers tried hard but were eventually beaten 10–30. After a come from behind win over competition heavyweights St George-Illawarra, the team struggled with injuries to key players. Most notably Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson missed large portions of the season. The team suffered a number of narrow losses late in games and also two golden point (extra time) matches in controversial circumstances.

The Wests Tigers narrowly missed the finals and the chance to defend their title. One highlight of the season was the debut of several players including Chris Lawrence and the emergence of up and coming players such as Dean Collis. Brett Hodgson played for the New South Wales team in the interstate State of Origin series in all three games. Another highlight was an upset win over eventual premiers the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium where a second-string Tigers side missing Hodgson, Marshall, Whatuira and Gibbs beat the more experienced Broncos 20–6.

Joining the club for the 2007 season was John Morris (ex Parramatta Eels) to replace Scott Prince who signed with the Gold Coast Titans. Other players to leave at the end of the 2006 season were John Skandalis, Anthony Laffranchi and Shane Elford – all members of the 2005 grand final team.

The Wests Tigers had a bad start to the season losing their opening four games by narrow margins. They then had a six-game winning streak to move into the top four. The Tigers' five-eighth Benji Marshall and full-back Brett Hodgson missed the majority of the season with injuries.

The Wests Tigers ended their attempt at a finals berth and finished the season on a loss to the Newcastle Knights, 26–24, at the then-Telstra Stadium.

The following two seasons ended in the same fashion with the Tigers missing out on the finals narrowly in 2008 and 2009 finishing 10th and 9th.

In February 2008, the Wests Tigers announced the extension of Benji Marshall's contract by one year, to the end of 2009. They also announced the signing of Gareth Ellis, the Leeds Rhinos second-rower and international representative, to a three-year deal commencing in 2009.[11]

Return to Finals football

In February 2010, the Wests Tigers announced the signing of former Rugby Union star Lote Tuqiri for three years,[12] and the signing of Benji Marshall for a further five.[13]

In 2010 the club finished third in the minor premiership competition, narrowly missing out on a grand final spot after losing to eventual premiers St. George Illawarra Dragons in the preliminary final by one point.

2011 was another successful season with the Tigers finishing 4th and making the semi finals yet again, where they were defeated by a late try to the New Zealand Warriors in a loss.

Form Slump

Despite being backed as premiership favourites at the start of the season, the Tigers failed to qualify for the finals in the 2012 season finishing 10th. On 25 September 2012, in a press conference CEO Stephen Humphreys and Chairman Dave Trodden announced that Tim Sheens would not be the head coach in 2013 in a restructuring of the club. This came a week after the loss of long-term players Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington to the Cronulla Sharks for the 2013 season, and a poor 2012 season on the field. Heighington had one year on his contract left while a handshake deal with Ryan had been made back in February.

Coach Mick Potter 2013 - 2014

After the 2012 season, Mick Potter was given the head coaching job on a two-year deal to help rebuild the club. Success was far from achieved with the Tigers missing out on the finals in the 2013 and 2014 seasons finishing 15th and 13th respectively. During this period Benji Marshall left the club at the end of 2013 to rugby union (who later returned to play for the Dragons).

In June 2013 Wests Campbelltown sold their shares in the joint venture to Wests Ashfield Leagues and pulled out of the joint venture. It was rumoured that Wests Campbelltown owned less than 20% of the Western Suburbs 100 shares. This sale left Balmain Leagues Club and Wests Ashfield Leagues club with 100 shares each.

Head Coach Mick Potter's contract was not renewed at the end of 2014. He finished his tenure at the club with a record of 17 wins and 31 losses. With coach Potter's contract not being renewed, Wests Tigers CEO, Grant Mayer appointed Jason Taylor on 29 September 2014 for the oncoming 2015 season.

Off Field Restructure - 2014

On September 17, 2014, with the ongoing financial troubles at Balmain Leagues Club (who by this stage had defaulted on payments to the Wests Tigers) a new shareholder agreement was put into place with the supervision of the NRL. A new seven-person board was nominated with two from Balmain Tigers, two from Wests Leagues and three independents. A new NRL deed was issued along with a new Wests Tigers constitution being drawn up. Mike Bailey continued as chairman of the board of Wests Tigers.

September 25, 2014, with Balmain Tigers moving into Funding Default to the Wests Tigers, the board nominees from Balmain were withdrawn and with the backing and support of the NRL a new reduced five-person board of directors was appointed, with independent Marina Go announced as the new chairman of the board.

As at September 25, 2014, Wests Tigers Board of Directors consisted of the following:

Marina Go - Chairperson (Independent NRL Appointment) Tony Andreacchio (Wests Ashfield Leagues Board Member) Simon Cook (Wests Ashfield Leagues CEO) Lucio Bartololeo (Independent NRL Appointment) Rosemary Sinclair (Independent NRL Appointment)

Balmain Leagues Club had no appointed directors due to the club moving into funding default, and were termed "unfinancial shareholders". Balmain were in debt to the NRL to a sum of nearly AU$5 million, which was due to be repaid on March 16, 2016. At the time, it was announced that should Balmain Leagues Club fail to repay the loan, the shares would be considered "in default" and would be placed for sale. The agreement was made that Wests Ashfield Leagues Club would be offered first call to buy all the shares, pay off the NRL debts and become sole owner. If Wests Ashfield declined, the shares could be offered for general sale.

Coach Jason Taylor 2015 - 2017

Jason Taylor began the new season with Robbie Farah as captain. The first game of the season started off vs the Gold Coast Titans. A far from convincing performance gave the Tigers a one-point field goal victory coming from the boot of Pat Richards. The season ended with Wests Tigers 15th on the ladder sharing 20 points with the Knights, with Tigers goal difference preventing the wooden spoon.

Off the pitch politics continued through the year with ownership issues still dominating headlines for the football club, with the NRL maintaining its financial interest in the club given the poor state if affairs at Balmain Leagues Club. The club also made headlines with rumours and stories that the club coach and captain were in difference of opinion about how the team should be playing. In August 2015 the club made a statement on their website[14] announcing that Farah had been given permission to speak with other football clubs for the 2016 season.

September 2015 also saw the announcement of a three-year sponsorship agreement with Brydens Lawyers.[15] The three year multimillion-dollar deal was the largest in the clubs history and saw Brydons logo on the front and sleeve of the Wests Tigers jerseys.

The 2016 season started off with Aaron Woods replacing Robbie Farah as club captain, and the club made a promising start to the season with home wins against New Zealand Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles. A string of losses including a 60 points to 6 loss against the Canberra Raiders left the club struggling at the lower end of the table. Off field, the drama surrounding Robbie Farah continued with speculation that he would leave the club by the end of the season.

After a string of mixed results, including two wins against rivals South Sydney, but a poor loss to Newcastle left Wests Tigers 9th on the ladder, a point away from the top 8 at the end of the full season.

The end of the season also saw the Robbie Farah saga concluded, with Farah penning a two-year deal with South Sydney Rabbitohs.[16] Robbie left the club having played 247 games and scoring 61 tries.

Early in the 2017 season, after a pair of heavy defeats to the Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders, Taylor was dismissed from his position as head coach.[17]

Assistant Coach Andrew Webster was appointed as caretaker manager whilst the CEO and Board recruited a new full-time replacement.

Off Field Restructure and New Ownership - 2016

2016 also had its watershed moment with the ownership of the football club finally resolved. On 5 May 2016 the club released a statement announcing the restructure of the football club[18]

In an $8.5 million deal, Wests Ashfield Leagues Club assumed majority ownership of the football franchise. As the press statement read "The ownership structure sees Wests move to 75% ownership with Balmain retaining 25% and the Board expanded to nine directors". Wests Ashfield Leagues Club (and by relationship Wests Magpies) has settled all debts owed to the NRL by the Wests Tigers Football club. Balmain Tigers Leagues Club[19] in a separate financial agreement have an outstanding loan and debt to NRL. Wests Ashfield Leagues Club are guarantors of this loan. Note that this loan is not secured against the Wests Tigers Football Club.

The new board has five members appointed from Wests Ashfield, two from Balmain along with two independents.

Coach Ivan Cleary 2017 - 2020

After a week of rumours in the press, it was announced that Ivan Cleary had accepted the role of coach through to the end of the 2020 season[20] with immediate effect, at a press conference held at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club. 2017 turned out to be a poor one for Wests Tigers on the field with The NRL side finishing in 14th spot, The Under 20s Holden Cup side finishing 2nd last and The NSW Cup side finishing with the wooden spoon.[21][22][23]

Ownership, board and corporate governance

Leagues clubs

Wests Tigers are owned by two Leagues Clubs, one in the Western Suburbs (Ashfield) and one in the Inner West operating two smaller clubs in the Balmain area (Five Dock and Sydney Markets in Flemington).

Wests Ashfield Leagues Club

Wests Ashfield Leagues (official name: Western Suburbs Leagues Club Ltd) is located on Liverpool Road, Ashfield. The club is the primary financial donor to the Wests Tigers rugby league franchise outside of the subsidy provided by the NRL. In Fin year 2014/2015 was the only Leagues Club which directly subsidized the Wests Tigers Rugby League franchise.

Wests Magpies Pty Ltd owns 75% of the shareholding in the Wests Tigers football club. Wests Magpies Pty Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of Western Suburbs Leagues Club Limited[24]

Balmain Leagues Club

Balmain Leagues Club was built in 1957. The site was situated on the corner of Victoria Road and Darling Street, Rozelle. The club was the venue for a celebration party after Wests Tigers won the NRL Premiership in 2005.

The Leagues Club closed its doors on 28 March 2010, with the former club site now vacant after receiving a notice to vacate the site to make way for the proposed Rozelle Village development to go ahead. The club moved to two smaller club sites - TIGERS Five Dock and TIGERS Sydney Market. As at February 2018 the premises on Victoria Road are still empty awaiting development.

Balmain Tigers owns 25% of the shareholding in the Wests Tigers football club

Former leagues clubs

Wests Leagues

Wests Leagues Club is located in Leumeah, next door to Campbelltown Stadium, one of the Wests Tigers home grounds. The club opened its doors on August 1974 and it was known as Campbelltown City Leagues Club. It was renamed to Western Suburbs Leagues Club (Campbelltown) LTD in 1987. Wests Leagues is no longer represented on the board or via financial contribution to the Wests Tigers, having sold its shares to Wests Ashfield Leagues in September 2014.

Board of Directors

As at 24 April 2018, the Wests Tigers Board of Directors consisted of the following:

  • Marina Go - Chairperson (Independent)
  • Darren Perry (Independent)
  • Simon Cook (Wests Ashfield Leagues Club CEO)
  • Denny Burgess (Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Board Director)
  • Tony Andreacchio (Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Board Director)
  • Michael Liubinskas (Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Board Director)
  • Rick Wayde (Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Board Director)
  • Danny Stapleton (Balmain Tigers Leagues Club Board Director)
  • James Myatt (Balmain Tigers Leagues Club Board Director)

All board members have a single vote each.

Ownership structure

Wests Ashfield Leagues Club own 75% of the shares of the football franchise, with Balmain Leagues Club owning the remaining 25%. All former debts owed to the NRL by the football club have been settled and the current structure concludes the NRL's involvement.

Stadium

The joint venture draws supporters from the historic bases of Balmain and Western Suburbs. Because they are a joint venture the basic structure of the former teams remains in place including their respective leagues clubs. Balmain no longer have a Leagues Club. The Western Suburbs Magpies have two leagues clubs, one representing their former inner-city base Ashfield, and the other established when they relocated to the outer west in the 1980s Campbelltown.

The Wests Tigers do not have a single home but play at a number of grounds each year. Home games are split between traditional games played at the former home grounds of Balmain and Western Suburbs and financial games played at grounds which offer playing incentives.

Traditional home games are played at Campbelltown Sports Stadium and Leichhardt Oval, the former home grounds of Wests and Balmain respectively. The grounds are around 50 km apart and attract different supporter bases. Marquee home games were previously played at the Sydney Football Stadium and ANZ Stadium. In 2019 due to the renovations of both stadiums with the Sydney Football Stadium having a complete knockdown, the Wests Tigers will take their marquee home games to the brand new Western Sydney Stadium.

From 2004 until 2006, a "home game" was played at AMI Stadium against the Auckland based New Zealand Warriors. This agreement was not renewed for 2007 and in that year a game was played at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford against Melbourne Storm. In 2008, one home game was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground as part of the Centenary of Rugby League celebrations, and also one game at the Sydney Football Stadium. In 2018, one home game was played at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland as part of a double header at the venue.

Stadiums used by the Wests Tigers as home grounds:

Present:

Former:

Colours

The club's name and logo are a combination of the two partners. The uniform colours are a combination of the black and white of the Western Suburbs Magpies uniform and the black and gold from the Balmain Tigers uniform. The logo combines a modern "in your face" Tiger with a traditional Wests 'V' in the background. There is also a Magpie (taken from the Western Suburbs Logo) on both sleeves of the Jersey.

In 2009, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the joint venture, a predominantly white strip with an gold 'V' was unveiled.[25]

Supporters

Some notable supporters of the club include Dawn Fraser,[26] Anthony Field,[27] Jimmy Barnes,[28] Harry Triguboff,[29] Michael Clarke,[30] Mark Schwarzer,[30] Julie Goodwin,[31] Daniel Geale,[32] Joe McCord, Vic Darchinyan,[32] Russell Arnold,[32] Michael Clarke,[32] Jordan Thompson,[33] and former NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell[34]

Club Sponsors

Major Partner

  • Brydens Lawyers

Premier Partners

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

  • Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, Chemist Warehouse, Binet Homes, Handy Finance, Liverpool Catholic Club, Income Tax Professionals, Expresso Organica

Corporate Partners

  • OAMM, Wakeling Automotive, Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club, MAS Concrete, E Group, DJK Excavations, Bradcorp, TripleM, Elite Travel, iFly Downunder, Mills Civil

Player's Club sponsors

  • APN Compounding, Westpoint Formwork, TLH Group, Digital8, Macdonald Eduation, SISTER2Sister, The Sydney Boulevard Hotel, Sydney West Furniture Repairs, Tumble Town Mobile Play Centre, Ultra Refrigeration, Handy Finance, Club Menangle, Sports Master Athletics International (SMAI), Ken Shafer Auto Body, BSC Body Science, Auto Slide, Blue Tongue Homes, Secom Technology

Season statistics

Season Pos Pld W D L B F A +/- Pts Notes Crowd*
2000 10th 2611213N/A519642−12324Wests Tigers 2000 12,124
2001 12th 269116N/A474746−27219Wests Tigers 2001 9,294
2002 13th 2470172498642−14418Wests Tigers 2002 10,478
2003 13th 2470172470598−12818Wests Tigers 2003 11,995
2004 9th 24100142509534−2524Wests Tigers 2004 16,597
2005 4th 2414010267657510132Premiers
Wests Tigers 2005		 19,379
2006 11th 24100142490565−7524Wests Tigers 2006 19,266
2007 9th 24110131541561−2024Wests Tigers 2007 16,961
2008 10th 24110132528560−3226Wests Tigers 2008 16,452
2009 9th 241201225584837528Wests Tigers 2009 17,943
2010 3rd 24150925375033434Wests Tigers 2010 18,086
2011 4th 24150925194308934Wests Tigers 2011 17,852
2012 10th 24110132506551−4526Wests Tigers 2012 16,227
2013 15th 2470172386687−30118Wests Tigers 2013 11,452
2014 13th 24100142420631-21124Wests Tigers 2014 13,104
2015 15th 2480162487562-7520Wests Tigers 2015 11,709
2016 9th 24110132499607-10826Wests Tigers 2016 15,390
2017 14th 2470172413571-15818Wests Tigers 2017 13,551
2018 9th 24120121377460-8326Wests Tigers 2018 17,291

* Average home crowd

2018 Squad

Wests Tigers 2018 Squad
NRL Squad 2018 Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)

Updated: 16 July 2018
Source(s): Tigers Squad 2018

2018 Signings/Transfers

Gains

Out

Players

Representative players

Statistics and records

Robbie Farah holds the record for most appearances for The Wests Tigers with 256. Having played in every game of the 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 seasons.[35]

The highest point-scorers for the club have been players who have undertaken goalkicking duties for a period. Benji Marshall has scored the most points for the club (1131), followed by Brett Hodgson (786), and Joel Caine (526).[35] In 2005, Hodgson scored a record 308 points during the season, the most points ever scored by a fulllback in one season. In the semis of 2005, he also scored 30 points in one match against the North Queensland Cowboys.[35]

Chris Lawrence (still active) has scored the most tries for the Wests Tigers, accumulating 83. Taniela Tuiaki scored a club-record 21 tries during the 2009 season.[36]

Wests Tigers "Team of the Century"

The Wests Tigers Team of the Century was announced in 2004, encompassing the best players from both Balmain and Western Suburbs. Nine Balmain players and eight from Western Suburbs made up the 17 members of the team.[37]

Wests Tigers' Team of the Century
First team squad Reserves Coaching staff

Head coach


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)

Updated: 2004
Source(s): [37]

Captains and coaches

The Wests Tigers have had six appointed club captains (at one stage two of those as co-captains) and a total of 15 first grade captains in their history. The team has been under the guidance of four coaches since their inception.

An * indicates the individual is still involved with the club.

All statistics are correct up to 3 May 2015.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "NRL - Grand Finals". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Whiticker, Alan & Collis, Ian (2004). The History of Rugby League Clubs. New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-74110-075-5.
  3. 1 2 3 Sean Fagan. "Wests Tigers". http://www.rl1908.com. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  4. ↑ Mascord, Steve (21 June 2000). "McCracken's future at stake after tackle". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax. p. 48. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  5. 1 2 Peter Corrigan (8 April 2001). "Refrains and strains of Wincing Matilda". London: The Independent. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  6. ↑ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=180524
  7. ↑ "'Fingering' rugby player rapped". News24. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  8. ↑ https://www.smh.com.au/news/league/coaches-have-done-the-hard-yards-too/2005/09/30/1127804661000.html
  9. ↑ http://www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au/site/get-involved/hot-100-tries/as-ranked-by-you.aspx?sort=avg
  10. ↑ Saville, Margot (2005-10-10). "Balmain club not out of woods yet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  11. ↑ "Marshall extends his contract". Fox Sports News (Australia). 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  12. ↑ Walter, Brad (4 February 2010). "Tigers confirm Tuqiri signing". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  13. ↑ Jancetic, Steve (24 February 2010). "Benji Marshall set to commit to Tigers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  14. ↑ http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/08/25/wests_tigers_stateme.html
  15. ↑ http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/wests-tigers-sign-record-sponsorship-deal-with-brydens-lawyers/
  16. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/hooker-cameron-mcinnes-quits-rabbitohs-for-twoyear-dragons-deal/news-story/5e572dbc67c1bb58f273fa40bbe32cd0
  17. ↑ {{cite web|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2017/03/20/wests_tigers_stateme.html
  18. ↑ http://www.go1.weststigers.com.au/news/2016/05/27/wests_tigers_ownersh.html
  19. ↑ citation needed
  20. ↑ http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2017/04/03/wests_tigers_announc.html
  21. ↑ http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/08/29/season_review_wests__2137328639.html
  22. ↑ https://www.nrl.com/draw/holdencup/ladder/tabid/10718/default.aspx
  23. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-sunday-live-coverage-of-todays-games/news-story/8b43006543cb3efa5b526bca15c16611
  24. ↑ "Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Annual Report 2016" (PDF).
  25. ↑ "Tigers kick-off 10th season". The Liverpool City Champion. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  26. ↑ "Heavy police presence planned for Bulldogs NRL game". ABC Online. 23 March 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  27. ↑ "Blue Wiggle Anthony: Meet my beautiful baby boy". Woman's Day. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  28. ↑ "BARNSEY LOVES HIS WESTS TIGERS". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  29. ↑ "Balls and whistles" 6 December 2005 The Sydney Morning Herald
  30. 1 2 Wayne Cousins. "'TIGER' GEALE THE REAL DEAL". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  31. ↑ "Celebrity chef Julie Goodwin renews her 2013 Membership". weststigers.com.au. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Daniel Lane (27 September 2015). "Rock legend Jimmy Barnes offers embattled Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah his support". Canberra Times. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  33. ↑ "Jordan Thompson". www.atpworldtour.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  34. ↑ Kelly Robinson (5 March 2011). "Barry O'Farrell laments he will never become a Bear again". The Mosman Daily. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  35. 1 2 3 "Wests Tigers Records". weststigers.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  36. ↑ Magnay, Jacquelin (17 August 2009). "Tuiaki show rolls on with hat-trick, and he has more tricks in the tank". Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  37. 1 2 "Wests Tigers Team of the Century". Wests Magpies Archive. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2008.

References

  • Middleton, David (Editor); 2008 Official Rugby League Annual; published 2009 for the National Rugby League by News Magazines, 170–180 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW, 2015
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