Wests Tigers Chair Lee Hagipantelis has voiced his frustration over another disappointing season for the club, but insists that their fortunes will turn in season 2024.
Expectations were high for the Tigers in 2023 after the signings of Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i, David Klemmer and John Bateman as well as the return of coach Tim Sheens.
However, the Tigers spent the majority of the year in last place and claimed their second wooden spoon in as many seasons.
Hagipantelis acknowledged that the performances were less than ideal but maintained that the Tigers were on the right path and that success was not far away.
“I can’t diminish the level of disappointment all our supporters would be feeling across the last two seasons,” Hagipantelis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“There are green shoots and things are turning and we are a better team than we were last year despite the results.
“Four wins this year and four wins last year but objectively, everyone would agree that we are a better team and a better roster.
“We are not far away from where we need to be. We have often spoken about our pathways program (and) they will bear fruit but there is no doubt that it will take a bit of time.
“They will add to what is already a talented roster. We have signed three quality halves for 2024 and they will make a big difference to the squad.
“We’ve got to take it in our stride, take our medicine and accept responsibility.
“There is definitely light at the end of this tunnel.”
The Tigers ended their 2023 campaign with a poor 54-12 loss to Manly in which the Sea Eagles scored five tries in a 15-minute blitz to open the second half.
Hagipantelis said the final game was not reflective of the season as a whole given how many starters were missing from the line-up.
“We were missing eight or nine of our starting 17 players,” Hagipantelis added.
“We had seven players who still qualify for Jersey Flegg (Under 21 competition).
“In fact, there may have been two players who would still qualify for SG Ball (under 19 competition).
“We are all absolutely committed to turning this around.”
The Tigers’ final drought has now extended to 12 seasons with the club’s last finals appearance coming in 2011.