The 2023 Wests Tigers season was the 24th in the club's history. They competed in the National Rugby League's 2023 Telstra Premiership. Head coach Tim Sheens returned to the role following his appointment in July 2022. Sheens had previously coached the club from 2003 to 2012. Joining Sheens as assistant coaches were former West Tigers players Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.
The West Tigers became wooden spooners for the second year in a row, which was their second spoon in club history.
Season summary Pre-Season Challenge – The club would begin the season poorly, suffering a heavy defeat in the first trial match against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland. However they would bounce back against the Canberra Raiders in the second trial match to win 36–4 in hot conditions at the Belmore Sports Ground, with coach Tim Sheens happy with his team's defence. Round 9 – Wests Tigers end a 273 day, 12-match losing streak stretching back into last season, upsetting reigning champions Penrith Panthers 12–8 in torrential rain at Carrington Park in Bathurst. Round 16 – Alex Twal scores his first NRL try after 116 matches for the Wests Tigers, ending one of the longest try-less streaks in competition history. Twal's try was the Tigers only four-pointer in the 28–6 loss to the Melbourne Storm.
2023 squad
Player movement These movements happened across the previous season, off-season and pre-season.
Gains Player/Coach Previous club LengthApisai KoroisauPenrith Panthers2024Isaiah Papali'iParramatta Eels2025Triston ReillyNew South Wales Waratahs2024David NofoalumaMelbourne Storm (loan return)2025Charlie StainesPenrith Panthers2023David KlemmerNewcastle Knights2025John BatemanWigan Warriors2026Will SmithHull F.C.N/ABrandon WakehamCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2023
Losses Player/Coach New ClubLuke GarnerPenrith PanthersKelma TuilagiManly Warringah Sea EaglesZane MusgroveSt. George Illawarra DragonsJock MaddenBrisbane BroncosJames TamouNorth Queensland CowboysOliver GildartDolphinsJacob LiddleSt. George Illawarra DragonsTyrone PeacheyPenrith PanthersJackson HastingsNewcastle Knights
Pre-Season Challenge
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceThursday, 9 FebruaryTrial 1 New Zealand WarriorsMount Smart Stadium, Auckland48 – 12Trey Peni 56' Stefano Utoikamanu 59'Brandon Wakeham (2/2)4,000Sunday, 19 FebruaryTrial 2 Canberra RaidersBelmore Sports Ground, Sydney36 – 4Junior Tupou 27', 74' Tommy Talau 35' Asu Kepaoa 42' Charlie Staines 45' David Nofoaluma 62' Justin Matamua 70'Adam Doueihi (3/5) Brandon Wakeham (1/2)7,800 References:
Regular season
Ladder
Results by round
Matches
The league fixtures were announced on 10 November 2022.
References