As another rugby league season fast approaches, we take a look at all the milestones and records that could be set to fall at Wests Tigers in season 2017.
Perhaps the biggest milestone to watch for is with vice-captain Chris Lawrence, who requires just three more tries to pass Benji Marshall for the most tries all-time at the Club.
Since his debut in 2006, Lawrence has scored 74 tries in 194 games, with the City Origin captain also in the running to record his 200th NRL game in the Club’s Round 6 away match against the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300 SMILES Stadium.
In terms of tries, Dally M Fullback of the Year James Tedesco is closing in on a number of records as well, having already passed Brett Hodgson last year for the most tries by a Wests Tigers fullback (currently 45). Tedesco requires five more tries for 50 NRL tries, two tries to pass Beau Ryan for fifth most tries all-time at the Club, and eight tries to pass Pat Richards for fourth most tries all-time at the Club — all in just his sixth season.
A number of players will be looking to record their first try for Wests Tigers in 2017, with the likes of Watson Heleta, Jamal Idris, Jack Littlejohn, Joel Edwards, Bayley Sironen, JJ Felise and Matt Ballin all yet to cross the line in Wests Tigers colours.
After finishing 2016 as the Club’s equal top-try scorer (14), Samoan international David Nofoaluma requires just five more tries to pass Tim Moltzen and Chris Heighington and move into the top 10 all-time try-scorers at the Club. Nofoaluma also requires 15 more tries to record 50 NRL tries — again, a remarkable achievement in just his fifth season.
Having spent time previously at the Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers, Fijian captain Kevin Naiqama also requires just 14 more tries to record 50 tries in the NRL.
Several Wests Tigers players are closing in on the 100-game NRL milestone, such as Joel Edwards (currently 96), Ava Seumanufagai (87), Sauaso Sue (79) and Tim Simona (79).
New recruit Jamal Idris also requires 19 games in 2017 to record 150 games in the NRL.
Kyle Lovett (currently 43) and Jordan Rankin (39) could also reach 50 games in the NRL.
Having taken over as full-time captain in 2016, Aaron Woods will pass Scott Prince (29) for the fourth most games as Club captain in the Round 6 match against the Cowboys.
In total, five players in the Club’s extended NRL squad are yet to score a try for Wests Tigers, three are yet to score a try in the NRL, while nine are yet to make their NRL debut.
Yet to score a try for Wests Tigers
Jamal Idris
Joel Edwards
Matt Ballin
Matt McIlwrick
Justin Hunt
Yet to score a try in the NRL
Jack Littlejohn
Michael Chee Kam
JJ Felise
Yet to make their NRL debut
Watson Heleta
Bayley Sironen
Ryland Jacobs
Matt Eisenhuth
Esan Marsters
Junior Tatola
Rod Griffin
Wesley Lolo
Taniela Paseka
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