Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns believes the Wests Tigers are a real chance to make finals for the first time since 2011.
The Tigers claimed their first wooden spoon in 2022 in a season which was marred by controversy both on and off the field.
However, the Tigers have recruited incredibly well during the off-season with David Klemmer, John Bateman, Isaiah Papali’i and Api Koroisau all joining the club under new coach Tim Sheens.
Johns believes those the fresh faces at the club will lift the Tigers from the bottom of the ladder.
“I think that they could be around the eight,” Johns said of the Tigers on SEN 1170.
“(They need) to have a clean run with injuries.
“I’m looking forward to their style of play because it will be different to any other team.
“With Benji Marshall and Sheens there, they will be an attacking team.
“A lot of change of angles, short passing, high tempo and attacking footy.
“I think it will be great to watch (and) I can’t wait to watch them play.”
Johns said he’s incredibly excited to see Klemmer who left the Newcastle Knights after his relationship with the club soured during the back end of last season.
Johns added that Klemmer is one of the smartest rugby league minds in the game and will compliment the attacking style of Marshall and Sheens well.
“Klemmer has really slimmed down,” he said.
“The last couple of years when he was at Newcastle and I was working there, I told him a couple of times that we need to play him in the halves.
“He was born as a halfback but in a front rower's body.
“When to dummy, when to run and when to pass out the back, it’s as good as any halfback.”
The Tigers host the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1 at Leichhardt Oval on March 5.
