Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has revealed new coach Tim Sheens alongside assistant Benji Marshall have adopted a “forensic and strategic” recruitment strategy ahead of the 2023 season.
The Tigers finished in the last place for the first time in the club’s history in 2021, and Hagipantelis said “we cannot allow that to happen again”.
Sheens, who has coached the Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys and Tigers in the past, will welcome Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i and Charlie Staines to the club for next season.
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A swap deal which will see Knights prop David Klemmer land at Leichhardt for Jackson Hastings is also reportedly close to being finalised, although Hagipantelis refused to speak on the matter.
“Nothing in particular, all recruitment and retention matters are dealt with in house until such time when there is a public announcement,” Hagipantelis said on SEN.
“We have a list management committee at the moment, Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall sit on that committee of course, they have devised what I would consider to be a very forensic and strategic recruitment and retention program.”
Hagipantelis said the Tigers were currently in the process of recruiting players that fit in Sheens and Marshall’s squad, hoping to return to finals football as soon as possible.
“They are in the market at the moment and they are vigorously and very aggressively implementing that program.
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“We came last this year, we took home the wooden spoon for the first time in our history, and that was unacceptable.
“We cannot allow that to happen again, difficult decisions have been made and will continue to be made, I cannot make any apologies for that.
“I have heard the reasoning and explanations offered by Tim and Benji, and they have our full support, so these gentlemen have devised this program and identified the type of players we need to move this club forward.”
Hagipantelis also revealed the Sheens’ made a huge sweeping declaration ahead of his return to coaching.
“They are actively recruiting these players… I have complete confidence and faith in these men, very confident and very comfortable where we sit and where we are heading.
“One thing Tim said to me the other night it ‘you will not recognise the Wests Tigers in 2023’.”
