Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall has moved to firmly dismiss speculation linking the club to North Queensland Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater and Canterbury Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri.
Drinkwater has recently found himself back in the NRL rumour mill, with initial whispers connecting him to the Tigers for the 2025 season. While the Cowboys previously quashed these rumours, a reported axing from first-grade this past weekend – which the club attributes to a rib injury rather than form – has reignited such discussions.
Meanwhile, Bronson Xerri has been notably dropped from the Bulldogs’ lineup for their upcoming fixture against the Canberra Raiders. Reports also suggest Xerri has formally requested a release from his contract, with several clubs reportedly expressing interest. This situation has led to various outlets suggesting the Wests Tigers are contenders for both players’ signatures, especially given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Jahream Bula’s future and the club’s ongoing search for reliable centres.
However, Marshall was unequivocal in his stance, stating that the club has no interest in acquiring either Drinkwater or Xerri.
Marshall’s Clear Stance on Recruitment
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Marshall addressed the rumours directly. “I didn’t really want to get into it and I don’t talk about recruitment publicly,” he stated.
He went on to elaborate on his position regarding each player:
- Bronson Xerri: “I like Bronson and he’s a really good kid, really good footy player but we’re not looking at him.”
- Scott Drinkwater: “I like Drinkwater, really good player but we’ve got a fullback and we’re not looking at Drinkwater either.”
Marshall expressed his frustration with the constant speculation, adding, “What baffles me is we get thrown into these things and become a part of the story that’s not our story, so let’s just stop it there.”
The Jahream Bula Situation and Centre Concerns
The Wests Tigers’ recruitment strategy and roster composition are also being closely scrutinised due to the unresolved future of young talent Jahream Bula. Bula has been heavily linked with a move to the St George Illawarra Dragons. He currently holds a player option in his contract with the Tigers for the upcoming year, and the longer his contract situation remains undecided, the greater the volume of speculation is likely to become.
The club is understood to be viewing Heamasi Makasini as a long-term prospect for the centre position. Additionally, Taylan May has made a significant positive impact since joining the team.
With May sidelined due to injury for the current round, there’s a possibility that Sunia Turuva could be deployed in the centres. Turuva has reportedly been training in this role recently, suggesting a potential tactical shift from the coaching staff.
Upcoming Fixture and Season Outlook
Following a Round 1 bye, the Wests Tigers made a promising start to their season in their most recent outing. They are now preparing for a challenging encounter on the Central Coast against the South Sydney Rabbitohs this Saturday evening. The match is expected to be a tough test for the team as they continue to build momentum and solidify their playing combinations.
