The Wests Tigers endured off-field turmoil from summer optimism to mid-season chaos that forced the club into unexpected changes.
The 13th-place finish in 2025 showed progress after years near the bottom, yet the recruitment of Jarome Luai and Terrell May raised finals expectations again.
Contract uncertainty around Luai and Jahream Bula has left the club's spine in flux beyond this year.
Luai discussed the halves configuration for the coming season in a video posted to the Rugby League Guru Instagram account.
During the interview Guru asked Luai whether he would be the five-eighth and Adam Doueihi would be the halfback.
"I think so, and I think Benji's got a plan moving forward with what that looks like down the track," Luai instantly said.
"It's also been a good pre-season for Ads [Doueihi] just to have a bit of certainty about where he's playing, how we want to play as a team and building on that combination."
He also singled out young forward Latu Fainu as someone who should earn a role under the revised interchange rules.
"I want to see him in the team somewhere," Luai stated.
"He's got too much talent not to be there.
Supporters and analysts will watch how the halves pair develop and whether the new-look squad can turn promise into consistent results.
With the rule changes and roster shifts, competition for spots should be intense across the park next season.