Just when their fans thought it was safe to dream Wests can still make the finals in 2018, marquee player Josh Reynolds is ruled out for the season.
The former Bulldogs utility will have surgery on his troublesome shoulder in a bid to be ready to go in 2019.
Fortunately the club had the foresight to bring back another half decent, if ageing, five eighth, who goes by the name Benji Marshall.
The 2005 club premiership legend has also missed a few games through injury, but returned last week just in time to play alongside another prodigal son, Robbie Farah.
Together, the pair guided the Tigers to a much needed victory, 20-16 against the Dragons.
It’s true that Farah’s return has polarised Wests fans, but hopefully they will keep their feelings in check and just support the team in the next seven games.
At most they can only afford to lose two of those and still make the finals, but the brutal reality is that it’s going to take a mighty effort between now and round 25.
It all starts when they take on competition pacesetters South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium 5.30pm this Saturday, July 21.
Wests Tigers will be away the following three rounds, to Bulldogs, Knights and Raiders.
Then it’s back home to Leichhardt to host the Dragons and the following week Wests tackle Manly at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on a Thursday night game.
Their final home and away match is the return clash with the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
It’s not the toughest draw of all time nor the easiest.
No doubt coach Ivan Cleary will be taking it one match at a time, starting with South Sydney this weekend.
Robbie Farah will play in his 250th game for Wests Tigers, while Benji Marshall will captain the side in the place of Chris Lawrence, who will miss the game with a hamstring injury he suffered in the game against St George Illawarra.
Michael Chee Kam has been named to start in the second row with last start debutant Luke Garner to again feature on the bench.
But the key to victory, apart from the forwards taking on the Burgess brothers, will be the spine of Moses Mbye, Luke Brooks, Benji and Robbie.
WESTS TIGERS NRL TEAM V SOUTH SYDNEY:
1. Moses Mbye
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Esan Marsters
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Corey Thompson
6. Benji Marshall ©
7. Luke Brooks
8. Russell Packer
9. Robbie Farah
10. Ben Matulino
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Josh Aloiai
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange
14. Alex Twal
15. Sauaso Sue
16. Luke Garner
17. Matt Eisenhuth
18. Jacob Liddle
19. Robbie Rochow
20. Tim Grant
21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
