The good news for Wests Tigers fans is that skipper Robbie Farah woke up sore and sorry but reported no discomfort in his back following Friday night's rugby league trial against Shellharbour.

Farah reported only aches and pains, none related to his surgically repaired back, after his first game of football in seven months.

Farah got through the entire 80 minutes of his side's 70-4 win over the Shellharbour Dragons at Ron Costello Oval, the Dragons the feeder club for NRL side St George Illawarra.

"He's pulled up sore as expected, not sore in the back but just generally," Tigers coach Tim Sheens said.

"We had him tracked with GPS and his heart rate during the game and he worked pretty hard.

"He was (struggling at times), though we had the majority of the ball, but it's still hard work to get to the rucks and contribute to the game.

"He didn't just get down and pass, he got down and ran from dummy half. He's a special player."

The match was the Sheens' first look at his new playmaking combination with Farah at hooker and Benji Marshall at halfback.

Asked how the duo combined, Sheens said:

"It went well, I think the scoreline indicates that."

The Tigers got through the match unscathed, with Danny Galea expected to be available for selection for the Tigers opening round clash against Canberra on Monday week despite picking up a head knock.

Sheens also revealed Todd Payten was some chance of taking on the Raiders with the ball-playing forward recovering well from a calf injury.

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