Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson slams NRL for AI draw after team cops first week bye
For the second time in three years, the Wests Tigers will get an extra week off at the start of the NRL season, causing CEO Shane Richardson to slam the league’s AI-made draw.
The Wests Tigers are fuming after being handed the bye in the opening round for the second time in three years.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson was loath to comment until the club got their full draw later on Wednesday, but conceded the Tigers were left questioning the NRL’s use of AI after they were given the bye in round one.
This masthead revealed on Wednesday that the Tigers had been handed a week off to start the season - the full draw is due to be released to the public on Friday, although clubs are expected to get a sneak peak later on Wednesday.
It is safe to say the NRL have ground to make up in the eyes of the Tigers and their fans given their start to the season.
“No club is happy being handed the bye in round one and we are no exception,” Richardson said.
“What makes it worse is that it is now the second time in three years it has happened. I know the NRL is now using AI to do the draw. Maybe AI needs to have a good look at itself.”
The Tigers are coming off a season in which they climbed the ladder and a fast start in 2026 would help maintain the momentum. Although they will get the two points from a bye in round one, coach Benji Marshall and his players will now be forced to wait an extra frustrating week to launch their season.
What makes it even more frustrating for the Tigers and their fans is that they were one of a handful of Sydney clubs who were unaffected by the women’s Asian Cup soccer tournament, which has taken control of Commbank and Accor Stadiums for the opening round.
It meant the likes of South Sydney, the Bulldogs, Penrith and Parramatta were unable to host a game in the opening round. The Tigers had no such problem - they had full access to Campbelltown Stadium and Leichhardt Ovals, two of their three home grounds.
more to come
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