‘I love it’: Hole running could make a big return in 2025 as Alex Seyfarth closes in on starting spot at the Tigers

Lachlan Galvin appears to have found his partner in crime on the right edge, with an experienced forward ready to make the move to the starting side.

The Wests Tigers may have lost a couple of experienced back-rowers, but Alex Seyfarth says he’s ready to fill the void on the right edge as part of a new-look forward pack that has talent everywhere you look.

With John Bateman (Cowboys) and Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers) no longer at the club, Seyfarth is the leading candidate to start on the right alongside young gun Lachlan Galvin in 2025.

Reigning Tigers player of the year Samuela Fainu will start on the left after his breakout season, with Seyfarth tipped to partner him in the back row after impressing at the back end of the 2024 campaign.

Alex Seyfarth is set to start the new season on the right edge for the Wests Tigers. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The 26-year-old has mainly come off the bench and has started just 10 NRL games in the back row, but that number will grow significantly in 2025.

“I try not to think about it too much until the season starts,” he said.

“I’m trying to focus on my pre-season, but if the opportunity does come (I’ll be ready). I’ve been trying to work pretty closely with Lachie this year to build a good combination on that right edge in the pre-season.”

Both men are confident that they’ve got enough time to forge a potent combination on the edge, with Seyfarth showing last year how damaging he can be as a hole runner with a slashing try against the Sea Eagles.

Hole running was a big part of the Wests Tigers’ attack when Benji Marshall was running around in the halves, and it could make a return this year with former Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson joining the coaching staff.

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“It’s a little part of my game which I enjoy,” Seyfarth said.

“I think in the juniors and SG Ball, I played a bit more in the back row before I transitioned into the middle, so it’s something I know quite well.

“Brett Hodgson has come in this year as one of the assistant coaches and he’s really hyped on playing through the middle and hitting leads (lead runners) a lot.

“I think that will suit my game.”

The Tigers are coming off three-straight wooden spoons, but Marshall has assembled a forward pack that will make them much more competitive this year with the likes of Royce Hunt and Terrell May to bring plenty of aggression in the middle.

Royce Hunt will add plenty of starch to the forward pack in 2025. Picture: Wests Tigers

“I love that. I get a lot of confidence from these guys because they’re all world-class players. I only have to worry about doing my job, and they’ll take care of the rest,” said Seyfarth, who took it upon himself to stand up to rival players last year.

“We’ve got a good balance throughout our pack. We’ve got Samuela on the edge, Terrell in the middle, Royce is a big, strong, powerful front-rower who has got a good late offload and brings good impact.

“And then you mix that with Fonua Pole, who is a big fella but can go all day. I think we’ve got a lot of punch in the middle, and then we’ve got Api Koroisau at hooker who is so creative and can get the boys on the front foot.”

Originally published as ‘I love it’: Hole running could make a big return in 2025 as Alex Seyfarth closes in on starting spot at the Tigers