Records and milestones set to fall in 2018

Author: Dan Talintyre
Timestamp: Sun 31 Dec 2017, 03:00 PM

As Wests Tigers gear up for the highly anticipated 2018 NRL season, we take a look at all the records and milestones that could fall throughout the year ahead.

The return of Life Member Benji Marshall brings with it plenty of excitement, but one record in particular takes a different turn with the 33-year-old's arrival. Teammate Chris Lawrence had drawn level with Marshall as the club's all-time top try-scorer last season with 76 tries and looked set to claim the record in 2018, but Marshall's return to the squad could see the record be stretched out a little longer.

With Lawrence contracted for a season more than Marshall and likely to get more game given the depth already present in the halves, you'd expect the Eagle Vale St. Andrews junior to claim the record eventually, but there might be some back-and-forth between the two throughout the year!

Marshall also needs to play just one more game to pass Chris Heighington for the third most games in Wests Tigers history — coming in to the 2018 season with 201 appearances for the club to his name.

David Nofoaluma chalked up a number of records for Wests Tigers in 2017 and looks set to add to that total again in 2018 with his try-scoring feats. The Campbelltown junior requires seven more tries to cross for 50 tries in Wests Tigers colours, while 10 tries would see him pass Pat Richards as the club's fourth highest try-scorer. 10 tries would also make him officially the most prolific winger in Wests Tigers history.

Nofoaluma is also one of two players on the verge of playing 100 NRL games for the club in 2018, with Luke Brooks (82 games) potentially set to join Nofoaluma (87 games) in the 100-game club.

Tim Grant (40 games) and Josh Aloiai (39 games) could also reach 50 games for the club in 2018.

In terms of NRL game milestones, there's a number of players that could reach significant numbers, with Elijah Taylor (142 games) and Josh Reynolds (138 games) closing in on 150 first-grade appearances, while Grant is approaching the 200-game milestone — currently sitting on 183 career games.

Robbie Rochow (83 games) and Kevin Naiqama (92 games) could reach the 100-game mark in 2018, with the latter also just seven tries away from recording 50 tries in first-grade.

Corey Thompson requires 15 games to have played 50 NRL games, following his time with the Bulldogs.

Tyson Gamble is the only player in Wests Tigers 29-man squad yet to make his first-grade debut, with nine players in line to make their respective club debuts throughout the 2018 season.

Alex Twal, Matt Eisenhuth and JJ Felise are the only players in the squad yet to score an NRL try.

Finally, Coach Ivan Cleary comes in to the season having coached 283 matches previously in his career (including finals). 17 more games will see him reach the 300-game mark as a Coach.