It was supposed to be the dawn of a new era at Concord in 2024 with Benji Marshall taking over from Tim Sheens to try and lift the Wests Tigers out of the doldrums.
Yet the rookie coach endured a difficult campaign in the hot seat as his young side slumped to a third consecutive wooden spoon.
A few headline names will now walk through the door and be tasked with finally ending the Tigers' misery.
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Wests Tigers 2025 season preview
Jarome Luai will walk into Concord fresh off the back of his fourth premiership win in a row at Penrith.
The former Panthers playmaker has been at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Tigers throughout his NRL career and it is hoped his winning mentality will rub off on an inexperienced outfit.
The Samoan captain will accompany rising star Lachlan Galvin in the halves with the duo looking good on paper.
And when you factor in that Jahream Bula will be out the back and Api Koroisau will be dishing out service from dummy-half, suddenly things look more promising than they have been for a long time at the Tigers.
Wests Tigers predicted team list for Round 1
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Justin Olam
4. Adam Doueihi
5. Charlie Staines
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Jarome Luai
8. Royce Hunt
9. Api Koroisau
10. David Klemmer
11. Samuela Fainu
12. John Bateman
13. Jack Bird
14. Latu Fainu
15. Alex Seyfarth
16. Fonua Pole
17. Alex Twal
Tigers latest team news ahead of Round 1
A shoulder injury prematurely ended Jahream Bula's previous campaign but the fullback will be back on deck for the opening round.
Sunia Turuva will join his fellow Fijian flyer in the backline after leaving the Panthers as a two-time premiership winner, while on the other flank Charlie Staines may get first crack ahead of new recruit Jeral Skelton and teenage prospect Kit Laulilii.
An experienced centre pairing of Justin Olam and Adam Doueihi is most likely to be fielded first up, with both players expected to be fully recovered from their knee injuries by Round 1.
Starford To'a may be able to force his way into calculations after an injury-plagued season restricted him to just three appearances in 2024.
Rugby union convert Heamasi Makasini is also one to watch, although the coach may opt to slowly introduce the teenager into NRL action.
Meanwhile, Junior Tupou has left for the Dolphins, Brent Naden appears to be on the outer and Solomona Faataape faces a tough fight to keep hold of his spot in the centres.
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Jarome Luai will have the weight of the club on his shoulders when he takes the No.7 jersey off the departed Aidan Sezer, while Lachlan Galvin will lineup at five-eighth after a stellar rookie season.
New signing Royce Hunt will replace Stefano Utoikamanu in the front row after the young forward elected to jump ship to Melbourne.
If Benji wants some experienced heads from the off, David Klemmer looms as the most logical starter alongside Hunt.
Api Koroisau will lead the side from dummy-half, with support coming off the bench from Latu Fainu, Tallyn Da Silva or Bud Sullivan.
John Bateman's future at the Tigers is clouded but he will return from his short-term loan at Warrington and still have two years remaining on his deal.
If the English international sticks around, he is set to start on an edge along with Samuela Fainu, with Isaiah Papali'i moving on to the Panthers.
Jack Bird has made the switch from St George Illawarra and will likely be handed the No.13 jersey with the Tigers often struggling to land on a regular lock in 2024.
Alex Seyfarth, Fonua Pole and Alex Twal are likely to grab bench spots in the side for the opening clash with Sione Fainu and Jordan Miller possibly in the frame for the 17.
