EXCLUSIVE

BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

The Western Suburbs Magpies will return to rugby league’s second biggest rugby league competition in 2018 when they run out in the Intrust Super Premiership as the direct feeder club to Wests Tigers.

Despite whispers to the contrary, the Magpies will compete in the NSW Cup – a competition they have not played in since 2012.

It’s a win for the Macarthur region and its juniors who will have a far stronger pathway into the NRL via the foundation club.

Magpies officials are on record saying that a state-of-the-art facility in the region is the goal which would include training facilities and recovery rooms.

The Magpies will also field a Ron Massey Cup team meaning players that miss out on selection for the Intrust Super Premiership side will drop back to the third-tier competition.

There had been rumours in recent months that a proposed agreement between Wests Ashfield and Wests Tigers to allow the Magpies back into the NSW Cup had fallen through.

It’s a massive victory for a club that has forever had to fight for its survival.

@woodward_curtis