Wests Tigers: 2019 preview, draw, squad changes, news, every player, odds and ticketing

A new driver is at the wheel of the Wests Tigers' bus in 2019 as they attempt to ride into the finals for the first time in eight years.

The reports suggest training has been strenuous under the coaching of Michael Maguire, who is renowned for his intensity.

But that approach saw Maguire lead South Sydney to a premiership in 2014 and is hoped to inspire Wests Tigers to reach the playoffs.

Departed mentor Ivan Cleary built a terrific platform last year that Maguire can stand on.

Wests Tigers started 2018 on fire, winning five of their first six matches on the back of tenacious defence.

They finished the season with a respectable 12 victories and 12 losses; four points outside the top eight.

Regardless of the disappointment of barely missing out on the playoffs, Wests Tigers can take a lot out of their campaign.

The development of Luke Brooks from an inconsistent talent into one of the competition's premier halfbacks was a sight to behold.

Brooks stepped up and produced equal doses of control and poise to match his brilliance.

Wests Tigers' forwards were fantastic in the early rounds of last season, led by fearsome props Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.

Their pack will only be strengthened by the arrival of premiership-winning Sydney Roosters player Ryan Matterson, who will slot into the back-row.

Another Rooster, Paul Momirovski, will challenge Mahe Fonua to join Kiwi international Esan Marsters in the centres.

Wests Tigers look odds-on to continue their recent improvement and are genuine finals chances.

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WESTS TIGERS PRE-SEASON NEWS

Wests Tigers were briefly coachless in the off-season when Ivan Cleary confirmed he was leaving the club in October, ending a two-year stint in charge of the club

Cleary joined the Panthers days later.

Michael Maguire was appointed the new Wests Tigers mentor mere weeks before the squad returned for pre-season training in mid-November.

Maguire wasted no time in making his influence felt at the joint, in December helping to secure the services of reigning Dally M Halfback of the Year Luke Brooks until 2023.

Wests Tigers became embroiled in a salary cap scandal prior to Christmas that resulted in CEO Justin Pascoe being provsionally deregistered.

The club had reportedly offered a post-career ambassador's contract to stalwart hooker Robbie Farah in 2015 as a gesture of goodwill but did not declare the arrangement to the NRL.

Farah never formally accepted the deal and Wests Tigers insist they received no competitive advantage.

But the NRL came down hard on the club, serving breach notices for pending $750,000 fine and deducting $639,000 from their 2019 salary cap (the full value of Farah's offer).

Wests Tigers appealed and were successful in having the punishments downgraded.

Half of the $750,000 fine was suspended, the $639,000 salary cap penalty will now be spread over 2019 and 2020, and Pascoe can return to the game on June 19 this year.

Back-rower Michael Chee Kam was charged with assaulting a rideshare driver in January. He is slated to appear at Waverley Court on February 5.

Canberra Raiders legend and former NSW coach Laurie Daley was sounded out to be a halves coach with Wests Tigers.

However, the NRL would not allow a deal to be registered because of Daley's work on the Tabcorp radio network as co-host of the Big Sports Breakfast.

Fullback Moses Mbye was named captain of the club in January, despite having played only nine matches for Wests Tigers.

Mbye has set lofty expectations for the side, setting his sights on a top four finish.

Wests Tigers signed winger Robert Jennings on a two-year deal from South Sydney.

Veteran back-rower Chris Lawrence broke his jaw at training in the lead-up to Wests Tigers' first trial. He is no chance of playing round one.

Former South Sydney prop Zane Musgrove signed with the club in November, however his contract was never formally processed by the NRL.

Musgrove was charged with sexual assault the following month to which he has pleaded not guilty.

But the NRL in March refused to consider registering the forward's contract at the Wests Tigers until his court case concludes.

PRE-SEASON TRIALS

March 2 – Wests Tigers vs Warriors

WESTS TIGERS' 2019 30-MAN SQUAD

There hasn't been a whole lot of off-season changes to the Wests Tigers' squad.

Roosters pairing Ryan Matterson and Paul Momirovski were the team's only external additions until winger Robert Jennings was signed from Souths.

Fringe first graders Tuimoala Lolohea, Kevin Naiqama, Sauaso Sue, Tim Grant, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak and Pita Godinet have departed.

Wests Tigers have one spot remaining in their top 30. They have until March 1 to add another player as per NRL rules, with June 30 the cut-off date to finalise the entire squad.

COACH: Michael Maguire

Additions: Paul Momirovski (Sydney Roosters), Ryan Matterson (Sydney Roosters), Robert Jennings (South Sydney), Sam McIntyre, Thomas Mikaele, Dylan Smith.

Losses:  Tuimoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos), Kevin Naiqama (St Helens), Sauaso Sue (Canterbury Bulldogs), Tim Grant (Penrith Panthers), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers), Pita Godinet (Villeneuve XIII RLLG )

Re-signed: Matthew Eisenhuth (2020), Robbie Farah (2019), Benji Marshall (2019), Esan Marsters(2020), Corey Thompson (2019)

Off-contract: Josh Aloiai, Michael Chee-Kam, Robbie Farah, Mahe Fonua, Tyson Gamble, Luke Garner, Chris Lawrence, Jacob Liddle, Benji Marshall, Sam McIntyre, Thomas Mikaele, Robbie Rochow, Dylan Smith, Corey Thompson

WESTS TIGERS' BETTING ODDS

At $26 (via TAB as of 21/2/19), Wests Tigers are equal-11th in the betting to win the premiership. It would be the second title in the joint venture's history after their 2005 triumph.

Luke Brooks is rated a $26 chance to better his third place finish in last year's Dally M Medal and take out the award this season.

Wests Tigers are $2.60 to make the top eight, $7.50 to finish in the top four and $11 to suffer the most losses.

WESTS TIGERS' 2019 DRAW

Teams they play twice

Manly Sea Eagles, Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights

Games played on

Thursday: 5

Friday: 6

Saturday: 7

Sunday: 5

Monday: 1

It's a big year for...

Luke Brooks.

Wests Tigers have identified Brooks as their future and intend to build a team around him.

The halfback is far and away their most valuable player after the tremendous season he produced in 2018.

But last year was also the first time he's played consistently great football.

Brooks is still only 24 and will bear the weight of hefty responsibility this campaign, with the expectations on Wests Tigers beginning to rise.

He also faces the challenge of forming a halves combination with Josh Reynolds, who only managed five games last season because of injury.

The pressure will either become too much to handle or will see Brooks put the heat on Nathan Cleary for the NSW Origin No.7 jumper.

MEMBERSHIP & TICKETING

As of 16/2/19, Wests Tigers had 15,512 members committed for the 2019 season.

They finished 2018 with 20, 794 members.

Membership packages can be viewed here.

General tickets for the season are available here.