The Wests Tigers Pathways celebrated another success story on the weekend, with local junior Josese Lanyon making his NRL debut – becoming WT #310 – against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 15.
Lanyon provided a performance at Leichhardt Oval that NRL Head Coach, Benji Marshall was incredibly impressed with.
“He looked like an NRL player, it was phenomenal,” he said to media post-match.
“I thought his effort was outstanding today.”
When talking about his journey to the top side, Marshall is proud to have homegrown talent in the squad.
“It’s always good when it’s a local junior and you’ve got a bit to do with him, we’re happy with the way he went.
“I thought he did a great job, I told him early in the week that he was playing, the way he reacted to it was awesome to see.”
The hooker has gone through the Club's development program, spending time in both the Club's Jersey Flegg Cup and NSW Cup sides, as well as being named Jersey Flegg Player of the Year in 2025.
His rise to the top grade marks the latest successful graduate from the Wests Tigers Pathways system.
Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup Head Coach, Shane Sultana said Lanyon's work ethic had stood out since he arrived in the program.
"When I arrived, he was in and out of the Flegg squad," Sultana said.
"I identified his work ethic straight away. He's a very hard worker and his training effort is always there.
"He's quite quiet and not really outspoken, but he lets his actions do the talking."
Sultana said Lanyon's development continued to accelerate throughout the 2026 season.
"This year we've seen further growth in his game,” Sultana said.
"There's a lot more maturity in his playing style now. He's much more composed and patient."
Lanyon earned an opportunity in the Western Suburbs Magpies NSW Cup side under Head Coach, Tyrone McCarthy, who quickly recognised the qualities that would eventually help him reach first grade.
"The first thing is his attitude. He's got a positive mindset and any chance you give him, he attacks it," McCarthy said.
"He's a good running nine, he's strong and defensively really sound too.
"He just doesn't stop moving."
McCarthy recalls being impressed during the opening stages of pre-season training.
"When I started pre-season, I was watching him around training and in that first contact session.
"Watching how he took on the bigger players and his ability to take the game to them while still being efficient at it, we as coaches saw something there."
While the Club provides opportunities through its Pathway, McCarthy believes players ultimately determine how far they can go.
"What we provide is a pathway and ultimately the boys open their own doors through their performances and their application to training," he said.
"If you're doing the right things and playing well at reserve grade, that opens the opportunity for the head coach to take a look at you.
"If you're the best fit for that week, you can be relied upon, and Josese obviously proved that."
From Jersey Flegg to NSW Cup and now the NRL, Lanyon's journey serves as a reminder that the pathway to first grade remains firmly open for the next generation of Wests Tigers talent.
