‘Masterstroke’ that has Tigers ‘100 per cent’ back on track after years of ‘bitter disappointment’

The Wests Tigers’ last two seasons have been nothing short of awful — but could the embattled club finally be heading in the right direction?

Balmain legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach believes “100 per cent” they are thanks to a “masterstroke” that has the club making more moves than it has in years.

A 13th place finish in 2021 sparked an internal reviewb that was meant to put a stop to the mediocre results before it was too late.

But eight months later Michael Maguire was sacked as head coach and the Tigers went on to claim their first wooden spoon — and extend the NRL’s longest finals drought.

Their pursuit of up-and-coming coach Cameron Ciraldo fell flat, star recruit Isaiah Papali’i had second thoughts about honouring his deal and Api Koroisau publicly bagged the club.

It’s been a rough year — no doubt about it. In fact Roach, who played 185 games for the Balmain Tigers, summed up the season to foxsports.com.au as “bitterly disappointing.”

But he believes it took hitting the lowest of lows to spark action at a club that’s been coasting along for way too long, declaring: “The best thing for us now is that the only way is up.”