Tip sheet: 10 talking points for Wests Tigers in 2023

The Wests Tigers return to pre-season training in November looking for a fresh start after a campaign to forget in 2022.

With only four wins on the board, the only way is up for the joint venture, who will want to make a good first impression on returning coach Tim Sheens.

NRL.com reflects on some key moments for the Wests Tigers in 2022 and looks ahead to why things are in place for 2023. 

Sheens answers SOS call

Michael Maguire out, Tim Sheens in. Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall back as Sheens’ assistants and suddenly, it feels like 2005 all over again.

The official announcement on July 14 was a monumental one for the joint venture with a new five-year succession plan announced that will see Sheens coach for the next two years before Marshall takes over in 2025.

After more than a decade out of the finals, this move is one of, if not, the club’s biggest in history but only time will tell if going back to the club’s roots will result in much-needed success at Concord.

One thing the trio will bring is Wests Tigers experience, from the juniors through to the senior level, at a time they desperately need it.

Klemmer arrives in Hastings swap

In the biggest transfer news of the off-season so far, David Klemmer's arrival to Concord with Jackson Hastings heading the other way will give Wests Tigers plenty to be excited about with the veteran prop providing some additional experience.

With a host of promising middle forwards coming through the ranks, Klemmer's experience and knowledge will be invaluable for Sheens' side, while his offload game and competitiveness will no doubt form a key part of the Wests Tigers attack.

The former Origin and Australia international was arguably the Knights' strongest player last year, and it'll be fascinating to see if he can continue to take his game to new heights with a return home to Sydney in 2023.

Centre demands excellency

You should never underestimate the importance of training facilities, and while it's not necessarily an excuse for the side's performances in the past decade, their new state-of-the-art precinct in Concord is a game-changer. 

Yes, the players will need to react and use that space to their advantage, but in terms of high performance and even recruiting players to the club in the future, the Tigers now join other clubs on a level playing field. 

Papali’i to bring strike

It hasn't been the smoothest of process in the past couple of months with Isaiah Papali'i having second thoughts to join the club, but rest assured the Kiwi international will be at the Wests Tigers in 2023.

And if you're sitting there thinking whether his heart will really be in it, Papali’i’s reasoning for reluctance is valid after he signed a contract under the assumption Kiwis coach Michael Maguire would still be in charge.

However, now the dust has settled, Papali'i will step into a leadership role at the Tigers and be one of their most important recruits after resurrecting his career at the Eels.

On his career turnaround alone, his damaging ability on the right edge to go with his work rate and creative ability will open a whole new attacking dimension on the edge and one Wests Tigers fans should get excited for.

Koroisau to overhaul attack

Speaking of attacking dimension, Api Koroisau’s arrival could be the most important in club history.

Forget about the verbal joke that went down post-grand final day, Koroisau’s ability speaks for itself and of all the negatives portrayed in recent weeks, he's been committed to his new club in 2023 since signing on the dotted line.

A three-time premiership winner who is at the top of his game, it all starts with him in the middle and at all the teams he’s been at he’s had an influential effect on the type of attacking structure the team plays.

Koroisau's partnership with his halves will be thrilling to watch while his forwards will enjoy his playing off his slick services from close range.

A salute to Noddy

Easily the club’s most complete performance of the year during their four wins in 2022 came in Round 20 with an underdog effort to upset the Broncos.

A week after they were denied victory in a controversial finish against the Cowboys in Townsville, interim coach Brett Kimmorley enjoyed his first and only win in charge to steer the side to a 14-point result.

While Kimmorley endured a difficult start to his NRL coaching career, he will remain at the club in a pathways capacity while also recently accepting the role to coach the inaugural NRLW side in 2023. 

Kimmorley's pathway role will be crucial to the club's future development with a crop of promising young talent coming through the system. 

Doueihi's return promising 

A fully fit Adam Doueihi to start the 2023 season is exactly what’s required for the Wests Tigers to help them improve on finishing 16th this year.

Doueihi’s long injury lay-off from ACL surgery saw Jackson Hastings and Luke Brooks occupy the halves for the first half of the season. His return created a headache at the time but that appears much more settled now with Hastings moving north to the Knights and the number six jersey seemingly Doueihi's to have.

While he struggled at times in the final month – particularly defensively – an uninterrupted pre-season and a fresh start building alongside the likes of Brooks, Koroisau and right-edge forward Papali'i will give him plenty of confidence.

Loan star return  

The return of the club's all-time leading try-scorer David Nofoaluma can’t be understated for the Wests Tigers.

It might’ve been painful to see him run out in opposing colours during the finals in 2022 while his own club was struggling but he will have gained plenty of experience being at such a heavyweight franchise.

For Nofoaluma, who at times many asked if he’d make a Wests Tigers return given how well he fit in at the Storm, he’ll be desperate to bring that type of success back to the club after a small taste in Melbourne.

You'd also expect his performances to go to another gear with all the knowledge he's taken away from learning under coach Craig Bellamy.

Nofoaluma is also only one try away from recording 100 in his NRL career.

Ofahengaue's commitment vital

Tongan international Joe Ofahengaue was a shining light for the club with strong on-field contributions later earning him player of the year honours in a tough season.

He gave the club the ultimate mark of optimism when he re-signed for a further three years just days after the Tigers finished their wooden spoon campaign with a 56-10 loss to the Raiders. 

Together with Stefano Utoikamanu, who re-signed until the end of the 2025 season in January, the pair are among those who have faith in the club's future and are a pair to build the club's ever-changing forward pack around.

Young guns emerge

In a year of not many highlights, the likes of Fonua Pole, Austin Dias and Junior Tupou were all on cloud nine after making their NRL debuts in 2022.

The trio will take a lot of positives from the experience ahead of looking to make the top 17 next season under Tim Sheens. 

For Pole in particular, who really stood out later in the season, he'll be among those looking to play as much NRL action as he can in 2023 with James Tamou (Cowboys), Luke Garner (Panthers) and Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles) all departed.