NRL 2024: Wests Tigers suffering their worst start in joint venture history, statistics and underlying problems damaging the club

From being the most penalised team in the competition, to a lack of stability to the roster, there are plenty of factors behind the Tigers’ worst season start in their history. See the statistics and ongoing problems that are destroying the Tigers.

Wests Tigers Lachlan Galvin Picture: NRL Photos

Nothing says rock bottom more than a teenage playmaker receiving painkilling injections into a fractured hand just to stay on the field in the middle of a record-breaking losing streak.

With just two wins after 12 rounds, the Wests Tigers have sunk even deeper after consecutive wooden spoons, now suffering through their worst start to a season in their 24-year history.

Coach Benji Marshall has vowed to make changes after a ninth straight loss with a 56-14 humiliation by the Dragons last Friday night.

The problem is the Tigers’ growing injury ward makes roster change almost impossible.

So poor are the Tigers travelling, Marshall declared they were a “20-minute team” with their 44 points conceded in the second half against St George Illawarra equalling their worst defensive half since 2000.

“I’ll say it again: If the actions don’t change then the players have to change. It’s unacceptable,” Marshall said after the loss.

Lachlan Galvin, 18, widely considered the future of the club, had recently been receiving painkilling injections to help him stay on the field.

Some fans and commentators would view the decision as a desperate move by a club that have now lost 50 of their past 60 matches.

Lachlan Galvin has been having painkilling injections for a fractured wrist. Picture: NRL Images.

INSIDE THE ROOMS

Marshall has rightly banged on about the team’s ill-discipline. That was on full display on Friday again when Jayden Sullivan was sin-binned for an unnecessary off the ball contact.

Ill-discipline and trying to shift a mindset loom the biggest obstacles to overcome for the rookie coach.

Despite leading 14-12 at halftime off the back of a try right before the break, those inside the Tigers dressing room said there was a sense of nervousness in the playing group.

A negative mindset which has festered within the club off the back of a run of last places.

Instead of the energy associated with a last minute try before halftime, there was a sense of doom. It is something which has plagued the Tigers throughout the season. They – at times – keep beating themselves so psychologically something needs to shift.

The entire team undertook a brutal review of their performance on Saturday morning.

THE STATS

The Wests Tigers’ two wins is their worst start to a season since their inception in 2000.

The TAB have installed them as $1.70 favourites to finish last.

As far as Wests and Balmain are concerned, the Wests Tigers two foundation clubs, you have to go back to 1988 to find the last time Wests had two wins after 12 rounds, while similarly Balmain recorded one win and two draws in 1974.

Averaging 15.7 points per game and conceding 27 points on average per game, their attack is on par with 2022 (15), while defensively they are almost equal to 2021 (27.3) when they finished 13th under Michael Maguire.

“Although (Friday night) was terrible, there’s definitely been improvements and we’re on a path to building for our future, especially with our local juniors,” Marshall said.

“I thought tonight we showed glimpses at the start of the team we want to be, particularly (in) the first half.”

Tigers playmaker Jayden Sullivan's sin-binning against the Dragons was the latest in a growing list of players marched for the club this season. Picture: NRL Images.

ILL-DISCIPLINE

The Wests Tigers are the most penalised team in the NRL and Marshall is furious with his players lack of on-field discipline.

Sullivan’s sin bin was the Tigers’ ninth sin bin of the season, the most of any NRL club.

Marshall admitted the club’s discipline is “hurting us.”

“We find someone to get sin-binned every week. (To) give away silly penalties. We lost our heads (and) unfortunately we’re in a position where we can’t do it to ourselves and we do,” he said.

“I cannot talk about discipline enough. The whole week we’ve talked about discipline and it’s unacceptable. There’s no excuses.”

Tigers centre Brent Naden has one more year left on his contract but can leave the club if he finds a better deal elsewhere. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

One of the major issues for the Wests Tigers is that with constant change, be it at a coach, administration or recruitment level, there is a lack of stability or security for the playing group.

At least one senior player is believed to have had words with management over his name reportedly being pushed to rival clubs.

CEO Shane Richardson has made no secret he is in the process of rebuilding the roster.

Already gone are Isaiah Papali’i (Penrith at the end of the season) while Jake Simpkin (Manly) has been moved on immediately.

Sullivan and Brent Naden also face uncertain futures. While Sullivan has been linked to a move to the UK, his management have strongly rebuked any switch to the Super League. Sullivan is only months into a four-year contract worth about $500,000 a season.

The Tigers will have to wear a significant chunk of that on their salary cap.

Naden has 12 months left on his deal but the club won’t stand in his way should he secure a contract elsewhere.

Doueihi is playing for his future, the off-contract Asu Kepaoa won’t be there next year and Junior Tupou is Dolphins bound.

The biggest obstacle for the Tigers is now trying to convince Stefano Utoikamanu to stay at the struggling club. That is growing ever increasingly unlikely with each game.

When Utoikamanu is overlooked for Origin II he will be a free agent with the prop not taking up the contract extension that Tigers offered him earlier this month.

They have Penrith premiership-winners Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva joining them next year while Richardson was also actively pursuing players in the UK.

Injured Wests Tigers player Adam Doueihi is expected to return to the NSW Cup next week. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

INJURY WARD

Experience on the sidelines has cruelled the Tigers.

Doueihi will make his return via NSW Cup next week while experienced half Aidan Sezer will come straight back into top grade next week with his suspension ending.

That is where the good news ends for the Tigers. They are sweating on scans for reliable prop Alex Twal who left WIN Stadium in a moon boot.

Justin Matamua picked up a knee injury and Solomon Alaimalo suffered a concussion. Prop David Klemmer is unavailable until round 17 because of his suspension while John Bateman (pectoral) and Papali’i (ankle) are still well off from returning. Papali’i will miss at least another six weeks.

Starford To’a (hamstring) is expected to still miss about eight weeks while there is no clear timeline on Latu Fainu’s (hamstring) return. Tupou is also out long-term.

NEXT WEEK

The Tigers return to their spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval to host the Titans next Saturday afternoon.

Daytime footy in the suburbs would traditionally lead to a sold-out crowd.

Marshall says he could understand the pain of the club’s supporter base.

“I feel sorry for them,” Marshall said.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Wests Tigers suffering their worst start in joint venture history, statistics and underlying problems damaging the club