More recently, the Penrith Panthers have surged to constant success off the back of superb junior development programs. Phil Gould’s oft-ridiculed ‘five-year’ plan certainly took longer than intended, but its mark on the Panthers’ recent success is indisputably clear. Penrith will be contenders for the foreseeable future. Lean years followed the ’03 grand final victory. Gould was brought in, in 2011, to help rebuild the club. He instigated the now envied junior academy. The Penrith junior nursery cuts a wide swathe across western Sydney. They have used it to their advantage. 

Like the Rabbitohs, they readily and keenly develop juniors. But these golden young talents are not often poached, because the clubs have become desirous locations. High-quality facilities, strong club culture and identity, await them. The Tigers don’t need a major ownership upheaval or a marquee signing to instigate the development of better facilities. A sterling excellence centre has just been built. They already have an incredibly rich talent pool. In their leanest years, the Rabbitohs and Penrith did not go close to bringing through juniors the calibre of Moses, Brooks, Tedesco and Woods. 

The ‘big four’ they were, then. A media exaggeration, but it was no small feat. All but Brooks left. What if they have stayed, would the club be constantly pushing post-season success? The Wests Tigers have everything they need to become one of the great clubs of the game. They are in a better position than they know. The juniors will come, and the juniors will stay, if they can see a vision. If they can feel a culture, and a soul. If they can believe they are one small part of something big. Something unbelievable, to those who don’t see the inner sanctum. The big-name players will sign for a steady coach, and a worthy plan. Above all else- a worthy reason. 

The Wests Tigers lie somewhere between that shining ’05 night, and the blood and rumble of their past legends. It is beyond time for them to not be Balmain, or Magpies legends- but Wests Tigers legends. That responsibility lies on the current organisation. 

Build it, so we know where you have come from. 

Build it, so we know who you will be. 

The Liverpool-Campbelltown corridor is fertile rugby league land. Plant the seeds. Have the young kids know it will be a storied club by the time they arrive. They will emerge. Laurie, Doueihi, and big Stefano Utoikamanu are the foundation. It can all begin, whenever they decide to define themselves. A centre of excellence is not a surety of success. But it speaks to a desire, for success. There is much to do before that success comes. Nonetheless, the glory will be there, waiting. A flicker on the hill.