As season 2023 draws to a close, we take a glance at some Wests Tigers young guns to look out for in 2024 and beyond.
Just as this season saw a handful of players step up from our pathways teams to make their NRL debuts, more young prospects will soon be elevated to the top grade.
What this shows is that the system is working, reinforcing the club’s heavy investment in pathways and development, and providing Wests Tigers with a sustainable source of elite rugby league talent.
Wests Tigers pathways’ process has many stages beginning with talent identification days for children as young as 12 years of age.
There are then winter and summer development squads for early teens (13-15 years), before our first junior representative selections begin for the Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16s).
The best young talent then graduate from Harold Matthews (Under 17s) to SG Ball (Under 19s), and on to Jersey Flegg (Under 21s).
With three catchment areas - Balmain, Western Suburbs and Macarthur - it provides our club with a vast development footprint. Strategically, this gives our club a unique opportunity, but one that requires significant investment.
Unlike other clubs we field not one but two teams in both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions (Westerns Suburbs and Balmain), as well as the Macarthur Wests Tigers teams in the Andrew Johns (Under 16s) and Laurie Daley Cup competitions (Under 18s).
Wests Tigers CEO, Justin Pascoe believes the club’s sizeable investment in pathways is crucial to Wests Tigers long-term plans.
“We have said many times that we are a development club, and to that end we must continue to invest heavily in pathways programs," Pascoe said.
“We have seen this year alone several players who have come through our system, play NRL.
There will be more on the rise next season and in the years to come. That’s what it’s all about.
Justin Pascoe
Recent NRL debutant Tallyn Da Silva is one of five players who will be upgraded from Wests Tigers pathways program to the NRL Top 30 in 2024.
Da Silva will join Josh Feledy, Brandon Webster-Mansfield, Jordan Miller, and Lachlan Galvin in the top squad from November 1.
Kit Laulilii, who made his NRL debut alongside Feledy in Round 27, will join the Wests Tigers Development list in 2024, before joining the Top 30 in 2025.
The 2024 NRL Development list will also include Chris Faagutu, Solomone Saukuru and Tony Sukkar, who are yet to make an appearance in the top grade.
Faagutu, Saukuru and Sukkar will join the Top 30 in 2025, as part of the club’s strategic succession plan.
A look forward to the 2026 Top 30 provides a snapshot of Wests Tigers long-term investment in elite player development.
Our 2026 roster will include several players from last year’s premiership-winning Wests Magpies Harold Matthews team, including the likes of Da Silva, Kit Laulilii, Miller, and Galvin,
They join Balmain junior Sukkar, Queensland U19s Origin representative Faagutu, and Saukuru, who remain contracted in 2026.
Onitoni Large (16) and younger brother Ashton (14) are the youngest players included in the club’s long-term planning and are scheduled to experience the NRL program as they transition from their school and junior representative programs.
A further group of players will be provided opportunities during the NRL pre-season later this year as part of an extended NRL squad from November 6.
This group of players will include several local juniors including Luke Laulilii, Heath Mason and Will Craig (Westerns Suburbs), as well as Keenan Lawandos and Cayne Nicholas (Balmain).
Pathways Players entering NRL Top 30 in 2024
| Player | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Tallyn Da Silva | 18 | Hooker |
| Josh Feledy | 19 | Centre |
| Brandon Mansfield | 22 | Second row |
| Jordan Miller | 18 | Prop |
| Lachlan Galvin | 18 | Five-eighth/Second row |
Pathways players on Development contracts in 2024
| Player | Age | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Laulilii | 18 | Middle forward |
| Chris Faagutu | 19 | Middle forward |
| Solomone Saukuru | 19 | Centre/Wing |
| Tony Sukkar | 19 | Prop/Second row |
Wests Tigers General Manager Women’s and Pathways, Matthew Betsey says having so many players already locked in is a significant step in the club’s long-term planning.
“It’s a reward for not just the players who are coming through but also for the many coaching staff involved in our pathways program,” said Betsey.
“Our plan is to help build the best possible roster for Benji [Marshall] as he transitions into his role as head coach.
It’s wonderful to see our elite development system bearing fruit, with so many players making their NRL debuts this season.
Matthew Betsey
“Our player progression program is identifying and developing the best young talent we have in our vast catchment areas, and the future looks very bright.”
Wests Tigers is currently in the process of appointing coaching staff across all pathway’s programs, with team trials (male and female) being held over the past fortnight.
