Wests Tigers bolster roster with seven new signings
Wests Tigers are continuing to build for next season and beyond, signing seven players who will add quality and depth to the existing roster.
Five of the seven players are local juniors or pathways players, one is a Queensland Cup premiership-winning hooker, and the other is a talented half from New Zealand.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson says the players who have signed new contracts will add much-needed depth to the existing roster.
Building for the future is not just about strengthening the top 30, but also about adding quality to the next tier.
Shane Richardson Wests Tigers CEO
“Most of these players are being rewarded for what they have shown in our pathways program, and we have also reached outside our own system to add another layer of quality.
“I firmly believe that to have a successful NRL team, there must be healthy competition within the broader roster.
“We are delighted that all seven players have put pen to paper and are fully invested in what we are building.”
Tim Johannssen is a 22-year-old prop who recently made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in the Round 22 match against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
Switzerland-born, Johannssen has penned a two-year deal after joining Wests Tigers this year from feeder club Ryde-Eastwood.
Edge forward Lachlan Broederlow has also signed a two-year deal after impressing this season in both the Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup competitions.
The 20-year-old forward will move to an NRL development contract in 2026.
Jaxson Rahme is a 20-year-old middle forward known for his toughness, professionalism and high work-rate.
A Dundas Shamrocks junior, Rahme was a 2021 Australian Schoolboys representative and has played 21 NSW Cup games for the Newcastle Knights this season.
Rahme returns to the Wests Tigers after playing Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup for Balmain.
Kobie Wilson is another Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup player who has impressed this season after joining the club from Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
The 21-year-old hooker has scored six tries in 14 games for our U/21s side in 2024, setting up plenty more with his quality ball-playing and good short kicking game.
Vaka Aho is a powerful young prop who has risen through the ranks in Wests Tigers pathways teams.
The 21-year-old forward attended Holy Cross Ryde College. He featured in 12 Jersey Flegg Cup games for the Wests Tigers this season before being elevated to Wests Magpies NSW Cup team.
Tristan Hope is a 27-year-old hooker who joins the club from Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup competition.
Hope started at No.9 in Brisbane’s 2023 Queensland Cup premiership victory and completed pre-season with the Melbourne Storm in the lead-up to the 2024 NRL campaign.
The former Queensland U/18s representative has made 69 appearances in the Queensland Cup to date, scoring 24 tries and kicking 73 goals.
Eiden Ackland is a 26-year-old five-eighth from New Zealand who returns to Australia after previously completing a pre-season with the Manly Sea Eagles.
Ackland has played 24 NSW Cup games for the Sea Eagles and the New Zealand Warriors, as well as featuring in NRL trial matches for both clubs.
He is known for his dynamic running game and is also a noted goal-kicker.
Wests Tigers would like to congratulate all seven players on their new deals with the club.
