Tiger Troubles: Could a Dragons loss end Wests' season?

With an all-important clash for the Wests Tigers this week, Chad Townsend believes this match against the Dragons could have big implications for their season.

After a strong start to 2026, which saw Wests sit as high as second place after six rounds, there was plenty of hype surrounding the side that looked on its way to breaking its 15-year finals drought.

But as the final third of the premiership season approaches, Benji Marshall's men are on the outside looking in for a spot in the top eight, having lost six of their last eight matches by an average margin of 31 points.

As a result, their Round 18 clash against St George Illawarra has become a lot more important for the now 11th-placed Tigers.

And should they hand the Dragons their second win of the season on Saturday, the 2016 Premiership player believes their hopes of a finals berth would significantly reduce.

“There's that number that most people or a lot of people are talking about; it's 13 (wins) with regards to how many wins you need to finish in that 8th spot,” Townsend explained on SEN’s Kick Off.

“That's what the Sydney Roosters finished with last season when they finished in 8th, when the Dolphins finished on the same but didn't make it through (based on) for and against.

“If the Tigers are to make the eight, they will need to win six of their last nine games from here on in.

“You just think if they don't win this weekend, that means it's six (wins) of their last eight.

“The numbers don't sound good and as you start to get towards the back end of the season and you start to hear words like must win, mathematical. These are the things you don't wanna hear as a rugby league team.”

But while their form has slumped during the middle of the season, Townsend thinks it has been a year of improvement for the Tigers.

“(The) Tigers’ early season form was fantastic,” he continued.

“I absolutely loved watching the West Tigers in their early season form and how they were playing, and Benji Marshall, I think, has done a really good job with where they're at. I think this is a team that's taken steps forward.”

The Tigers will travel to Kogarah Oval to play the Dragons on Saturday night.

Kick-off is at 5:30pm AEST.