The last three rounds of the 2024 NRL season have been just reward for Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall.
A win over Souths at Campbelltown, followed by victory over Manly at Leichhardt led to a bye week.
And now, this Friday night, a win over Parramatta at a sold out Campbelltown Stadium would be the icing on the cake for Marshall.
All season he’s copped ridiculous criticism from journalists and keyboard warriors alike.
One of the lowest points was when one of them questioned Marshall’s ability to coach.
To his credit, Marshall has just kept going, ignoring the slings and arrows aimed at his head.
And now, all of a sudden, he finds himself with the possibility that his team will end the season undefeated in the final four rounds.
This would be a fantastic base for the start of preseason training ahead of the 2025 NRL season – and a little reward for perseverance.
Earlier this afternoon Marshall named a 22-man squad for Friday night’s Round 27 match against the Eels, a match dubbed Spoonbowl by the wits of the rugby league world.
It’s true that the winner avoids the dreaded wooden spoon, but our guess is that Marshall is just looking for another improved performance from his side, which will be led once again by that one man tackling machine Api Koroisau.
The little hooker has been a giant for Wests Tigers all season, a real inspiration to both the players around him and the loyal fans of the club.
I expect one more superlative performance from Api on Friday night when he leads the Tigers to victory over the Eels.
There is just one change to the side that defeated the Sea Eagles in Round 25 with winger Solomon Alaimalo unavailable (HIA protocol).
Josh Feledy comes into the backline in the centres, with Junior Tupou shifting to the wing.
It will be Feledy’s third NRL appearance, and second this season, having not played in the top grade since the team’s Round 12 loss to the Cowboys in Townsville.
The 19-year-old has scored 14 tries in 20 appearances for Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup this season.
This will be just the second NRL game between Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels at Campbelltown in the club’s 25-year history.
TEAM LIST:
1 Heath Mason
2. Junior Tupou
3. Solomona Faataape
4. Josh Feledy
5. Charlie Staines
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Api Koroisau
10. David Klemmer
11. Alex Seyfarth
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Isaiah Papali’i
INTERCHANGE:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Sione Fainu
16. Fonua Pole
17. Alex Twal
RESERVES:
18. Tim Johannssen
19. Alex Lobb
20. Reuben Porter
21. Kit Laulilii
22. Tony Sukkar
