Going Rogan: Flying finisher helps Tigers bury the demons

If you want to know just how far Wests Tigers have come, take a look at the score the last time they played the Warriors in the final game of a lamentable wooden spoon campaign in 2025.

That clash at Campbelltown Stadium last September resulted in a thumping 44-6 win for the Warriors, leaving the Tigers with a 1-10 record and the game's most unwanted 'prize'.

Fast forward 11 months and the new-look Tigers have just racked up their fifth win of the season - a 30-22 triumph over the Wahs built on defensive intensity and quality attack.

For winger Lily Rogan, who bagged a crucial double at CommBank Stadium, her second season at Concord is proving a breath of fresh air after the struggles of 2025.

“I got lucky to be picked up by the Tigers and I am learning so much from Sandy [coach Craig Sandercock]," said Rogan, who made her NRLW debut at the Roosters in 2023.

"He has put together a really good team. We are so connected, everything from top to bottom, we are on one page and we couldn't be better.

“I think every week we focus on our game plan and what works best for us. When we stick to a game plan that Sandy constructs and everyone does their part then we are coming up with the wins."

Sitting fourth on the ladder after seven rounds, the Tigers head to Newcastle in Round 8 to face a Knights outfit reeling after back-to-back defeats.

Rogan knows that if they are to play finals for the first time in their four-year history then the Tigers will need their core of senior leaders to show the way.

“The girls around me, you are so welcomed in by Kezie [Apps], she is a great leader, leads by example," Rogan said.

"You ask and you get it from her. All the experience is great, Raecene [McGregor] and Holli [Wheeler], they help our young players and become who they need to be. Our coaching and staff, they all help us become better people and players."

If the Tigers can go all the way in 2026 that would deliver 22-year-old Rogan a second title to go with her Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership success with Illawarra Steelers two years ago.

Rogan had the honour of captaining a Steelers side that included Indie Bostock, Maria Paseka, Jordyn Preston and Trinity Tauaneai, downing the Roosters 10-6 in a tense decider.

“Looking back it seems so long ago, I feel really inexperienced but I am building who I am as a player as time goes on," she said.

"The Roosters gave me my start and I'm so grateful what I got to learn there.

"I took that into my Illawarra season and we got the win which was my first premiership."

Among a host of Tigers enjoying breakout seasons, Rogan reserved special praise for Faythe Manera, who has come up with six tries in seven games, playing everywhere from centre to five-eighth and off the interchange.

“Faythe is something else. She is a freak, you never know what you get in the best way, trysaving tackles or a try," said Rogan.

"She always gives the best, such a valuable player and we wouldn't be the same without her.”