The NRL side is a basket case, but at least there are signs the future could be brighter for Wests Tigers.
The joint venture club’s Andrew Johns Cup representative side – under 16s – have made the grand final for the very first time.
Macarthur Wests Tigers will take on defending premiers Northern Rivers Titans at St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium on Sunday.
The team lost its first two games of the season but finished with three wins in a row to make the finals.
Lead by fullback and captain Noah McKenzie, Wests Tigers defeated the Northern Tigers 22-16 last weekend to qualify for the grand final.
McKenzie has a number of highly talented players around him including, the likes of Sonny Edwards-Moeke, Kurtis Dupond, Callum McMenemy, and Aaron Keppie.
The past twelve months has seen the club invest heavily in player development, with the long-term goal of identifying and retaining local talent.
The investment includes key appointments including that of head of pathways Matthew Betsey and pathways coaching manager Brett Kimmorley.
The pathways team also includes the likes of Balmain great Paul Sironen and former Wests Tigers fullback Shannon Gallant.
Wests Tigers premiership winning coach Tim Sheens has recently returned to the club as director of football and is heavily involved in the pathways strategy.
“The club is thrilled to have our team competing in this weekend’s Grand Final at St Marys,’’ Sheens said.
“The coaching staff have worked extremely hard since October last year to bring this group of players together.
“To see the hard work pay off to this point is great, not just for the Andrew Johns squad but also for the Wests Tigers pathways team.
“The most pleasing thing about the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups success this season, is that every single player is local, either from the Group 6 or Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League.
“I wish the boys the very best of luck this weekend.”
Betsey says even though the pathways program has a long term vision, the short term results are impressive.
“We are starting to see some early indications that the club’s investment is coming to fruition,’’ he said.
“Having the Macarthur Wests Tigers make the finals in both the Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup competitions is a fantastic reward for the effort everyone has made to re-connect with the greater south west rugby league community.
“We’ve got some great people helping on many levels. Benji (Marshall) is also playing an active role when and where he can which is terrific.”
Development manager Shannon Gallant, who got on board last year, says he is extremely proud of the rapid development.
“We’ve invested a lot more into the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups this year and we are now seeing the rewards,’’ he said.
“I think as a club we are doing a great job in development. The kids want to be a part of the programs and that comes from putting the right coaching staff around them and the right resources.”
Kick off on Sunday is at 10am. The Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final will also be live-streamed on the NSWRL website – nswrl.com.au
