For the first hit out of the 2025 season coach Benji Marshall has named a 24-man squad featuring a combination of NRL Top 30, Development, NSW Cup and Wests Tigers Pathways players.
The Tigers will take on the Bulldogs this Sunday evening at Jubilee Stadium in the Witzer pre-season challenge competition.
NRL mainstays such as Lachlan Galvin and David Klemmer are set to have their first hit-outs of the year, while it will also be the first opportunity for Wests Tigers fans to see new wing recruit, Jeral Skelton, in action.
The hard-hitting Skelton joined the club in the 2025 pre-season after representing Samoa in their recent tour of England.
Nineteen-year-old hooker, Tallyn Da Silva, will captain the side in the absence of Api Koroisau and Jarome Luai.
TEAM LIST: 1. Heath Mason, 2. Jeral Skelton, 3. Solomona Faataape, 4. Josh Feledy, 5. Alex Lobb, 6. Lachlan Galvin, 7. Latu Fainu, 8. Tim Johannssen, 9. Tallyn Da Silva (c), 10. David Klemmer, 11. Tony Sukkar, 12. Sione Fainu, 13. Justin Matamua. Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope, 15. Kit Laulilii, 16. Jaxson Rahme, 17. Solomone Saukuru, 18. Will Craig, 19. Lachlan Broederlow, 20. Marc Tannous, 21. Tino Tavana, 22. Max Liles, 23. Jared Haywood, 24. Noah Johannssen.
In other club news, Wests Tigers have confirmed that boom second rower Sione Fainu has been upgraded to the NRL top 30 for the next two seasons.
The 23-year-old middle forward debuted in Round 11 of the 2024 season and went on to impress in his 12 appearances in the top grade.
The older brother of fellow Wests Tigers players, Samuela and Latu Fainu, Sione had completed pre-season while on a training contract and will now re-join the squad’s top 30 until the end of the 2026 season.
Head coach Benji Marshall says the extension is well-deserved.
“We’re thrilled that Sione has extended his stay here at Wests Tigers,” Marshall said.
“He’s a great person, a leader, and a valued member of our squad.”
