Billy Slater has made a bold call on the Wests Tigers, claiming the struggling club is "not far off" after landing some massive recruitment coups in recent months.
After locking in the services of three-time premiership winner Jarome Luai for 2025 and beyond, the Tigers also managed to sign Penrith teammate Sunia Turuva on a three-year deal beginning next season.
Despite the interest from St George Illawarra and a desire from the Panthers to retain the 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year, Turuva surprised many by opting to move to Concord, where he will add plenty of spark out wide for Benji Marshall's side.
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The club has also brought in Api Koroisau, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali'i over the past 18 months, bolstering the roster in the middle of the field.
And according to Slater, Marshall's team is on the cusp of something special with the likes of young stars Lachlan Galvin, Jahream Bula and Latu Fainu also coming through.
"They are certainly building something there," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.
"If we see some growth in Lachlan Galvin and these young guys coming through and put some experienced and classy players around them, they are not too far off.
"If you're a Tigers fan, I'd be getting pretty excited."
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Galvin has been brilliant in his first handful of games in the top grade, while the excitement machine that is Bula in the No.1 jumper continues to show great potential.
And the impending arrival of Turuva, who played in last year's grand final for the Panthers, will add a vital cog in the wheel to Marshall's backline.
"He brings a whole heap to the game," Slater said.
"Now more than ever, the wingers bring so much to the game.
"They are not just tryscorers, which Sunia Turuva is wonderful at, but I believe he does his best work up the other end of the field when he brings the ball out of trouble.
"Sunia is a great pick-up. He is a wonderful player, he is only young, and to get someone like that at the Tigers [is great]."
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