‘They are gone’: Why Tigers are a ‘mess again’ as stars depart and Benji replacement touted

The Tigers have lost six straight games, two of the club’s best up-and-coming talents have left, their marquee star’s future is cloudy and Benji Marshall is reportedly under pressure.

Now veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has posed a huge question — where to for the struggling merger club?

Following their latest 28-10 defeat at the hands of the Sea Eagles, Marshall’s side sit in 14th place and face the prospect of losing not only two young guns, but also their halfback.

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Lachlan Galvin departed for the Bulldogs earlier this season and rising hooker Tallyn Da Silva is reportedly set to sign a four-and-a-half year contract to join the Eels.

Superstar playmaker Jarome Luai, despite signing on until the end of the 2029 season, has a get-out clause that could see him depart at the end of 2026.

Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast, Rothfield labelled the Tigers “a mess again, sadly”.

“When Shane Richardson came into the club... I think everyone, even their most diehard fans knew it wasn’t going to be an automatic fix,” Rothfield said.

“They’ve been in all sorts for a very long period of time, three wooden spoons and they sit on the ladder just one win off the bottom of the table.

“They’ve lost six (in-a-row) and you’ve got to plan for the future and have the best young players come through in any rebuild situation.

“Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva were clearly the two best young players in that football club. They are gone now, I don’t know where they go from here.”

Rothfield also delivered a damning verdict on Richardson’s tenure, having taken over as chief executive on an interim basis in December 2023.

Benji Marshall, new head coach of the Wests Tigers looks on at a press conference after their loss during the round two NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Marshall’s position as head coach is reportedly under fire, with rumblings of a replacement from the Super League emerging.

“I was expecting with Jarome Luai there, ‘Richo’ said at the start of the year they have the ‘best spine in the competition’,” Rothfield said.

“But (Jahream) Bula is out injured now, they have had problems around the halves, Galvin is gone... I don’t see any improvement since ‘Richo’ has been there.

“I’m sorry to say that, I don’t like bashing the Tigers, I cheer for them on the quiet because it’s a much better competition when they’re a good football side.

“But they are a mess again sadly, lots and lots of work for Benji Marshall there. Even though Richardson is on record saying Benji’s job is not in any sort of doubt, (the speculation) will not go away.

“I keep hearing Willie Peters name mentioned as a contender for next year. Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League, they have had their best start in history. They have won the Challenge Cup.

“I know Peters is close to Shane Richardson from their time there at the Rabbitohs so I think we are going to have to watch the space re Benji’s future.”

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Rothfield also pointed to a host of failed signings, with the likes of Royce Hunt and Jack Bird failing to fire.

Jeral Skelton has also been sidelined due to injuries, while Terrell May and Sunia Turuva have become integral squad members alongside Luai, whose future is certain to attract headlines.

“When you win three wooden spoons it is very, very difficult to attract quality players and this is why I am so critical on them having a situation with Da Silva and Galvin,” Rothfield said.

“Even Jarome Luai, the signing there, that’s going to be a massive story come November because he has that get-out clause which he can trigger.

“He’s so committed at the moment and you cannot question what he has done for the club this year, but my goodness that’s going to be a big story.

“Is he going to be prepared to quit or commit? Or are one of the new franchises going to come in and offer him the same money and give him a fresh start.

“I don’t know where that club is going.”

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