With the new year bringing new opportunities, as we enter 2022, we take a look at 22 reasons to be excited for the upcoming season.
Season opener
Wests Tigers will launch their 2022 campaign against the Melbourne Storm at CommBank Stadium. Following multiple COVID lockdowns, Members and fans will be excited to return for Round 1.
Multicultural Round
We can’t wait to host the Warriors at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in the third week of the competition, in which will be the NRL’s Multicultural Round. We’ve got some special surprises in store!
Return on lower grades
After a tough two seasons due to COVID, lower grades are back in 2022 — and we don’t have to wait long with junior reps kicking off next month. Our Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup side will be aiming for big seasons after successful 2021 campaigns.
Daine’s progression
Talented fullback Daine Laurie was impressive in his first full season in the NRL and he’s ready to go to a new level in 2022. Last year’s campaign ended in heartbreak as he suffered a nasty ankle injury, but he’s raring to go again.
Hastings in Wests Tigers colours
One of the big recruits for 2022, we can’t wait to have Jackson Hastings at the club this year.
Anzac Round
Wests Tigers will host another blockbuster game against last year’s grand finalists, South Sydney, at CommBank for Anzac Round. It’s always a special moment to stand as one to remember those who fought for our country.
Tamou’s 300th
It will be a big occasion when Wests Tigers captain James Tamou celebrates his 300th NRL game. The veteran prop is just 14 away from the big milestone.
Twal’s 100th
Reliable forward Alex Twal is also set to hit a major milestone with the century of games on the horizon. He’s 11 games away from the big 100 — a big celebration on the cards.
Centre of Excellence
Wests Tigers will move into brand new Centre of Excellence in 2022. The state-of-the-art facility will feature an elite high performance centre including gym and external training terrace, aquatic recovery pools, sauna and steams room, sports science, medical, sleep and rehabilitation facilities.
Gildart’s NRL debut
Another star recruit, Oliver Gildart will make his NRL debut for Wests Tigers this season. An England international, the centre is looking forward to playing in Australia.
Feel the magic
We’ve never lost at Magic Round and we want to keep it that way in 2022 when we face North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium. It’s the last game of the weekend, so we’ll be looking to leave Brisbane on a high.
AD’s return
A return date for Adam Doueihi is yet to be marked in the calendar, but his return from an ACL injury will be a pleasing sight for everyone at Wests Tigers. He’s been recovering well throughout pre-season and will be eager to get back out there in 2022.
Debutants
Who knows how many NRL debutants Wests Tigers will have this season, but it’s always an exciting moment to see a young kid achieve their goals. We’ll have to wait and see on this one.
Eels visit Leichhardt
Leichhardt Oval will be jammed packed when Wests Tigers host Parramatta in Round 17. It’s a Saturday night blockbuster you do not want to miss.
Battle of the big cats
Wests Tigers fans will be treated to back-to-back local derbies with a clash against the defending Panthers in Round 18. It’s always spicy when we face the Mountain Men and it shapes as another big game at CommBank Stadium.
Star players arriving
We can’t wait to have Jessica Sergis and Kezie Apps playing for the club this year. The international duo are eager to pull on the Wests Tigers jersey in 2022.
Final round
Sunday afternoon against the Raiders at Leichhardt Oval in the final round of the season — we’ve seen this movie before. This could be one of the biggest games of the year.
Peach’s club debut
Tyrone Peachey is another player we can’t wait to see on the field this year! Having joined from the Titans, the representative player will be aiming to return to his best in 2022.
Papali’i arrival at season’s end
He won’t be arriving at Concord until after the season, but Isaiah Papali’i’s signing at Wests Tigers caused plenty of excited. He’s contracted with the club from 2023 but we’ll see him in Wests Tigers colours for pre-season before Christmas.
Utoikamanu going to a new level
Rising prop Stefano Utoikamanu became one of the best young forwards in the competition in 2021 and he’s set to get even better this season.
Flying Ken
Having signed with the club midway through 2021, gun winger Ken Maumalo is primed for a big season with Wests Tigers. He scored 15 tries in 21 games last season — can he beat that mark this year?
Membership Appreciation Round
We’ll thank all our Members during Membership Appreciation Round at our Round 14 clash against Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
