Tyrone McCarthy is excited about his Western Suburbs Magpies squad ahead of their 2026 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season opener at Lidcombe Oval this weekend.
After a lengthy pre-season, including a bye last weekend, McCarthy is looking forward to his side facing the North Sydney Bears in Round 2, alongside the Western Suburbs Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup teams.
“We’re just excited to finally get some real games under our belt,” McCarthy said.
“It’s been a long but really enjoyable pre-season. The training standards have been really high, and the boys are itching to get out there.”
While he’s at the helm of a youthful squad by NSW Cup standards, McCarthy is looking forward to seeing the development of that talent over the course of the 2026 campaign.
“We’re a really young side at Cup level, but it’s an exciting group with a lot of potential.
“There are players who’ve already had exposure around the NRL squad, and they’ve been really impressive throughout the pre-season.”
“Everyone in the squad has the ability to push to the next level if they keep applying themselves.”
While McCarthy is focused on the younger players in his side making a name for themselves, experienced players entering his line-up will offer welcome guidance.
“The experience around the young players is invaluable,” McCarthy said.
“Everyone who’s come back from the NRL system has been outstanding with their attitude. Everyone’s on the same page and chasing the same thing, which is having a successful year.”
McCarthy’s side are excited to be playing at least 10 of their games at Lidcombe Oval in 2026.
“We’ve tried to make Lidcombe our home this year and done a lot of our training there.
“We want it to be our fortress and somewhere we’re proud to play.
“With the history of the club, we want to respect that by working hard and performing on the field.”
McCarthy emphasises that the team’s main goal is to represent the wider Club and its supporters with pride.
“We want to complement what’s happening at NRL level but also be successful in our own right.
“We’re not just there to make up the numbers, we’re there to compete hard and represent the Wests Tigers and Western Suburbs with pride so people are proud of the team.”
Notable players coming from SG Ball will be Pheonix Godient, Christian Taupau Moors and Siotame Havea Jr.
The Western Suburbs Magpies will play the first match of their Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season at 2.00pm on Saturday, 14 March at Lidcombe Oval.
For further match details, please click here.
To view the Western Suburbs Magpies draw for the 2026 KOE NSW Cup, please click here.
NSW Cup - Western Suburbs Magpies
Bailey Hodges
Ben Stevanovic
Christian Taupau-Moors
Danny Gabriel
Esera Cheekeam
Faaletino Tavana
Fiohava Fainga'a
Ieti Samuelu
Iverson Matai
Jack Attard
Josese Lanyon
Luke Jack
Max Liles
Max Taotua
Mitchell Taotua
Pheonix Godinet
Siotame Havea Jr
Vaka Aho
