The Wests Tigers proved too strong for Parramatta on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.

On this edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast, Joel Helmes is joined by Steve Stretton and Nick Hayes to break down the trial win over the Eels.

The boys look at some of the main talking points out of the game, including the form and contribution of recruits Terrell May, Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton, and Royce Hunt.

There's discussion around the possible backline for round one, including whether Adam Doueihi will take one of the centre spots, and Heath Mason's prospects at fullback (if chosen).

And, naturally, there's a discussion around the Wests Tigers halves with one Wests Tigers Podcast Forum member calling for a radical rethink before the season starts.

Wests Tigers forwards impressed

The Wests Tigers made more metres than the Eels, more post-contact metres, and made more tackle breaks, but despite this, there were a couple of forwards that had relatively quiet games on Friday.

Joel, Steve and Nick take a look at the forward stocks and discuss what might be the best combo for the game against the Knights next weekend.

Hooker discussion also comes up with Tristan Hope impressing in his time on the field, but has he done enough to take the nine jersey from Tallyn Da Silva for that game?

Do we stick with Alex Twal at lock?

And, is it just us, or have this Tiger's team bonded better over the off-season than going into previous seasons?

Referee Ashley Klein also gets a mention, though not in a particularly positive manner!

Lots of listener contributions

Thank you to all the members of the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum who contributed their 'One Word' responses, naturally, we will stick with this tradition through the season.

Check out some further tweaks made on the forum, including changes to advertising settings which should make for a better user experience through season 2025.

That's it, the 2025 NRL pre-season is over (thank heavens), let's get on board and enjoy a huge Wests Tigers year together!

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Eddie, Declan, and Steve have popped up for a mid-week Wests Tigers Podcast!

The 2025 NRL season must be close because a mid-week edition of the Wests Tiger Podcast is warmed up and ready to go.

Prodigal son Eddie returns after a long summer break and is joined by two recent pod part-timers, Steve and Declan.

The boys give their quick summary and thoughts on the Wests Tigers' first trial of the year last Sunday at Kogarah.

Then they launch into discussion around the future of Wests Tigers prop-forward, David Klemmer.

What to do with big Klem?

There is talk that the veteran front-rower might have played his last game for the club. Is it a good move by Wests Tigers to let him go and join the Dragons this close to the kick-off of the season?

The boys also discuss what we should do with his roster spot and salary if he does depart for St.George-Illawarra, should we be looking for a second rower instead?

Also, does the move leave us light-on upfront, and should we consider Francis Molo as a replacement?

Next up, Parramatta.

Then the discussion turns to this Friday night's second NRL trial with the Wests Tigers taking on the Eels at Leichhardt Oval.

Up for discussion is the selection of Alex Twal at lock, Adam Doueihi at halfback, and the captaincy for Alex Seyfarth, among other topics surrounding this game.

Lastly, it's the return of Eddie's version of Buy, Sell, or Hold with topics ranging from trial ticket prices to the fortunes of Wests Tigers Coach Benji Marshall if the team has another poor season.

Don't forget that you are invited to join the discussion on everything Wests Tigers, including your thoughts on each edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast, on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum.

And we look forward to getting your 'One Word' submissions on the Eels trial after the match too!

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It was great to see the Wests Tigers in action on Sunday, though most of our star players were absent.

This edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast is a look back at the 20-14 (four tries to three) loss to the Bulldogs at Kogarah.

As per tradition, we start with a healthy list of 'One Word' submissions about the trial from members of the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum.

Then we look at some of the positives to come out of the game, including the impressive performances of guys such as Kit Laulilii, Solomon Saukuru, and new buy, Jeral Skelton.

These good showings might make for some rethinking of the round one Wests Tigers team, along with this Friday night's trial against the Eels at Leichhardt Oval.

Other positives?

It is fair to say that the Wests Tigers look fitter than last year, while there seems to be some real class coming through in the next generation of playmakers.

While the strong performances from Royce Hunt and Brent Naden in the Indigenous All-Stars game also give us reason to be optimistic.

More questions than answers

Joel Helmes, Garry Watson, and Nick Hayes, also look at some of the head scratches that still exist, including:

• Sione Fainu, is he a chance of playing on an edge in the NRL?
• What will Tim Johannssen's future bring?
• Who will play fullback in Round One if Bula isn't available?
• What is going on with Justin Olam and his knees?
• If he is out, who will play centre for Round One?
• Is Luke Laulilii out for an extended period?

Some things to be concerned about too.

On the other side of the coin, the boys raise some concerns out of the trial match, including the performance of a couple of guys who we thought might be genuine NRL prospects this year.

We hope you enjoy this first post-match edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast for 2025 and don't forget to join the conversation right now at the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.