Parker’s biggest concern with the Tigers for 2026

Corey Parker thinks that the Wests Tigers need to have some more consistent performances in order to ensure that they can continue to improve their ladder position.

After achieving their equal best finish to a season since 2021 (13th), the Tigers’ faithful will be hopeful of continuing this upward trend as they look to break a 15-year finals drought.

And with a quality spine, they are certainly on the right track.

But the 347-game player for the Brisbane Broncos wants to see a more consistent performance across the starting 13 in 2026 to ensure linear progression.

“Jahream Bula, Adam Doueihi and Api Koroisau…alongside Jarome Luai, I think that is a fair spine,” Parker explained on SENQ Breakfast.

“They need players, they need tradesmen like players in there that can just turn up and give you an 8/10 (performance) every week. Set and forget.

“That’s my concern with this line-up that I’m looking at.

“It’s the inconsistencies in their games as individuals and then collectively.

“Because when the Tigers play well, and they're all connecting and going at an 8/10, they're really good to watch, and they come up with some really good football.

“But the downside to what the Tigers do is when they are not playing so well and how poor they are.”

But while there is potential for some growth in 2026, Parker thinks it might take a bit more than a year to get to that stage.

“I’ve got no doubt that Benji Marshall and his coaching team will be trying to get their best football and their worst football and try and limit or close that gap (between them),” he continued.

“If they can close that gap, they will win more games than they lose on a more consistent basis.

“Will it happen this year? I’m not so sure.”

The Tigers will begin their pre-season matches on Valentine’s Day (February 14) when they travel to Newcastle to play the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Their first game for the season proper will take place in Round 2 as they host the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on March 14.