EXCLUSIVE: Billy Slater advocates for positional ‘switch’ among Wests Tigers players

NRL icon Billy Slater is of the opinion that this season could see a “swap” in the halves pairing of the revamped Wests Tigers, featuring Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin.

Luai’s move to Concord emerged as the most significant off-season development, signing a multi-year contract that reportedly costs the club around $6 million for the duration. As a four-time premiership winner with Penrith, Luai now faces a fresh challenge with the Tigers after their wooden spoon finish last year.

This season, Luai will don the No.7 jersey and team up with promising talent Galvin, who shone as one of the few bright spots for the club last year, to establish a formidable halves partnership.

However, Slater speculates that we might see a change in their roles.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they switch positions at times, with Galvin taking on the halfback duties,” Slater mentioned on Nine’s Billy Slater Podcast.

“Galvin is very much an on-baller and loves to be in the action, while Luai has often showcased his best football by playing a little off the ball, similar to his dynamic with Nathan Cleary at Penrith.

“They might not change their jersey numbers, but they could well trade off who takes the lead more often.”

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Slater also asserted the Tigers boast “nearly the best spine in the competition,” although he refrained from agreeing with Shane Richardson’s previous assertion that it ranks as the number one.

Regarding their aspirations to reach the finals for the first time in 15 years, Slater is convinced the Tigers have what it takes, especially in Benji Marshall’s second full season as coach.

“I absolutely believe they can achieve it,” he remarked.

“Naturally, there’s a wave of optimism about making the finals this time of year… but I genuinely feel they have the capability to play finals football.”

The Tigers will launch their 2025 campaign against the Knights on March 8.