Parker identifies the key area Tigers must address ahead of 2025 NRL season

SEN’s Corey Parker has called on the Wests Tigers players and officials to lift the club’s standards in 2025 in order to avoid a fourth-straight wooden spoon.

After years at the bottom of the ladder, there is a sense of optimism from the Tigers after strong recruitment over the past 12 months and greater stability at board level.

Despite the improvements across the board, Parker still believes it will be long and difficult for Benji Marshall to reverse a losing culture.

“The Tigers are a team that has had instability over a number of years,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“They’ve been through coaches, had front office issues and culture (issues).

“Culture is the standard you are not willing to walk past. You have to live and breathe the expectations that are required (in order) to give yourselves the best opportunity to win.

“Having the right personnel certainly helps (but) last year, they conceded 144 penalties and 16th for tackle breaks. The Tigers weren’t asking enough questions when they had the ball.

“Their errors compounded and they consistently made poor choices in games.

“These are learned behaviours and training habits. Their recruitment drive has been positive.

“(Those recruits) will lift up the standard and rub off on the likes of Jahream Bula and Lachlan Galvin.

“I see the Tigers going north because it can’t go any further south but it has to start from training.

“It will take time and a lot of hard work but their recruitment of players who simply don’t know how to lose is going to have an effect.

“Players who don’t accept losing will absolutely rub off on the rest of the playing group.”

The Tigers have a relatively soft draw to open their 2025 campaign and if the Tigers are to improve on their previous seasons, Parker believes they must have a positive win-loss record after the first six weeks.

“The Tigers have the Knights (twice), Eels, Dolphins, Warriors and Broncos for their opening six rounds,” Parker added.

“Four of those teams didn’t play in the finals. They have to look at those first six rounds and say they need at least three wins. That’s achievable.

“The Tigers have clarity in their coach and where the club is going. Now it’s time to make some changes on the field.

“The Tigers have a team that, on their day, can absolutely play. How do they sustain that football week in and week out?

“They can’t accept what they have put out over the last three years. It doesn’t work.”

The Tigers host Newcastle in the opening round on March 7.