Croker and Rat's surprise wooden spoon tip

Boardroom dramas, the Lachie Galvin saga and the departure of a CEO.

Not to mention accusations of bullying.

It was quite a 2025 for the Wests Tigers and this season looks set to be another rollercoaster ride for fans of the club.

December saw half of the club board sacked and then reinstated before coach Benji Marshall was handed a monster contract extension and Shane Richardson walked out.

The 2030 deal for Marshall was no doubt offered in a bid to feign some stability at a club well known for drama and which faces the prospect of Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula being able to look elsewhere for 2027.

Sadly for Tigers fans, SEN’s Matt Rogers sees nothing but a wooden spoon in their future.

“They have strengthened their stocks,” Rogers said on SEN's Sportsday NSW. “They have handy players but I’m not sold on what’s going on off the pitch. Far out they make some noise off the field this team and if they think it’s not affecting the players they’re kidding themselves.

“When Shane Richardson walked out, you think James Tedesco was a loss, you just lost the most important person in your club in the last 20 years. That’s how impactful he could have been.

“They have a handy squad but I’m not sure depth wise they have it.

“I don’t think they’re playing finals this year. They could surprise us. With all the off-field stuff that’s happened. And I’ve seen tickets to a game are $75 it’s ridiculous, it’s too much they will end up playing in front of four people.

“They finished 13th in 2025; if they finish between 8-12 I think it’s a pass. I don’t think they need to play finals for pass.

“I’ve tipped them to get the spoon. I hope I’m wrong.”

Rogers’ SEN co-host and former Raiders captain Jarrod Croker was inclined to agree.

“It’s never ending drama at this club, it has to affect the players and the coaches,” he said.

“The coaches are the in-between. It’s never ending.

“They showed a bit end of last year they have a good spine. They key for them will be consistency - there is a huge difference between their best and worst.

“I can’t trust them. They’re so hard to trust but it’s been 15-16 years since they played finals.

“I think they need to be playing finals for a pass. But I’ve got them 16th.”