The Wests Tigers managed to land an impressive signing spree in 2023 and brought a host of talent to Concord in an overhaul well overdue for the club.
Despite the Tigers struggling to lure talent for some time now, multiple big name signatures all landing in the same year was a massive positive for the struggling club.
However, the recruits have not been enough to turnaround a struggling outfit that would start the season with zero wins in their first seven games, before managing an incredible upset against defending premiers the Penrith Panthers in round 9.
The Tigers newcomers have seen mixed performances among the group so far in the season, and I will be ranking each of their impacts at the merger club below.
1. Brandon Wakeham
Grade: C
A controversial signing to many Tigers fans given he effectively replaced Jock Madden, who left for the Broncos. Wakeham has been faced a trial by fire in 2023 forced into a Luke Brooks halves pairing, following a knee injury to Adam Doueihi ruling him out for the season.
Wakeham has currently appeared in five matches for the Tigers, scoring a try and managing two try assists. Already matching Luke Brooks on tries and assists in three less games is a solid effort for the thought-to-be reserve grade half.
The side has looked more controlled with him at in the six jersey. Though he is still second string to Luke Brooks, Wakeham still puts his hand up to help with kicking duties averaging 161 metres and having forced 3 line drop-outs.
By no means is the 24-year-old a superstar at the club, but he was not signed to be. Wakeham has done a respectable job in the first grade squad and deserves his spot in the squad.
Given more time we will likely see a more even partnership between Wakeham and Brooks which should only see the 30-gamer continue to grow into a solid NRL half.
