This Sunday, the Wests Tigers Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale sides will take on the Penrith Panthers at Henson Park in the opening weekend of Finals.
For the Club, it’s a testament to a season built on development and resilience.
Wests Tigers Female Pathways Coordinator, David Fauonuku has been encouraged by the progress across both squads.
“I’ve seen a lot of great development, exactly what we want in our Pathways system,” Fauonuku said.
For many players, simply reaching the finals is a significant achievement. Months of pre-season training, sacrifices, and commitment have led to this moment.
“They should be extremely proud,” Fauonuku said.
“They’ve been working since November through tough conditions, and not just the girls, their families have made sacrifices too. This is a well-deserved reward.”
Lisa Fiaola Head Coach, Latu Fifita echoed that sentiment and the need to take the games as they come.
“It’s always rewarding making finals,” Fifita said.
“But for us, it’s felt like finals footy for a while now. We’ve taken it week by week, always focusing on where we can improve.”
Fifita also praised the leadership within his squad as a key to their success.
“Dawn Tui leads by example every week,” Fifita said.
“And while she was away, players like Charlotte Withers and Izzy Brown really stepped up. But honestly, it’s been a whole group effort to get us here.”
When talking about the Taiana Waddell-Scanlan-coached Tarsha Gale side, Fauonuku highlighted several standout performers.
“Players like Saige Tautalafua and Jewel Faaui have had outstanding seasons.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how the girls progress in finals footy.”
Fifita is excited about the growth of his team and explained that since pre-season he has reinforced fundamentals.
We went right back to basics in pre-season, focusing on the one-percenters and fundamentals
Latu Fifita Lisa Fiaola, Head Coach
“For a lot of the girls, it’s their first time in this kind of environment, so it was about building that foundation and helping them grow.”
Fauonuku shared a similar view across both teams.
“I think the girls have learned a lot about themselves, especially resilience,” Fauonuku said.
“There’s been highs and lows, but those experiences have strengthened their bond and determination heading into finals.”
That resilience will be crucial after both Tigers sides fell to strong Roosters outfits last week.
“They’ll be better for it,” Fauonuku added.
“They competed hard, and that experience will help them this weekend.”
Despite the excitement, Fifita is keeping his team grounded.
“What’s happened during the season is done. Finals is a clean slate, and it’s going to be a different kind of football,” he said.
“For us, it’s just another week, another opportunity to get better and do our job."
Sunday’s clash carries added significance for Fifita, who himself was with Penrith before joining the Tigers.
“There’s definitely extra motivation there, and you can feel the excitement at training. It’s going to be a great contest.”
Beyond this weekend, the finals represent an important step in the players’ journeys through the Wests Tigers system.
Fauonuku highlighted the importance of the pathways program in creating opportunities for young female athletes across the region.
“It’s ultra important for the club,” he said.
“They can see there’s a pathway from junior reps through to our women’s premiership side and eventually the NRLW. That visibility and opportunity is huge.”
Experiences like interstate travel have also helped prepare the squad for what lies ahead. The recent Melbourne trip offered players a taste of the professional environment.
“They loved it,” Fauonuku said.
“Flying together, representing the club. It’s something they want more of, and it’s what they’ll experience at the next level.”
Fifita added that the trip was also a valuable learning curve.
“The focus was on doing the job first,” he said.
“Preparation is key, and for many girls, it was their first time experiencing that level of detail.”
With a place in the next round on the line, Sunday’s clashes promise intensity and excitement.
For the Wests Tigers, it’s not just about the result; it’s about growth, opportunity, and building something lasting.
