NRL 2020: Wests Tigers nearly blow huge lead before late rally sees off plucky Bulldogs

Wests Tigers shouldn’t celebrate their win over Canterbury too hard. Given their struggle to beat the wooden spoon favourites, they will start underdogs in every one of their remaining six games.

Luke Brooks was the hero for the Tigers.

The seemingly impossible nine-year dream remains alive – but it will still require life support.

Wests Tigers – who haven’t played finals footy since back in 2011 – moved into ninth place - yet again - on NRL competition ladder after a dramatic and almost suicidal 29-28 win over Canterbury on Sunday.

Victory – albeit unconvincing and uninspiring - keeps Wests Tigers in the finals hunt despite still being four points adrift of eighth spot.

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They won but the road to the finals is as rocky as ever for the Tigers.

Ahead 22-6, Wests Tigers conceded 22 unanswered points against last-placed Canterbury to almost blow their big lead - and their season.

Wests Tigers shouldn’t celebrate too hard though.

Given their struggle to beat the wooden spoon favourites, Wests Tigers have a horror draw and will start underdogs in every game this season.

They play Sydney Roosters (round 15), Penrith (16), Manly (17), Souths (18), Melbourne (19) and Parramatta (20).

Many believe 22 competition points will seal a finals spot in this reduced season, maybe 20. That means Wests Tigers must win at least four – probably five - of their final six games to qualify.

The nine-year wait may very well become a decade.

Luciano Leilua charges through the Bulldogs defence.

A late try to centre Joey Leilua – he returned to the bubble after travelling to Canberra for family reasons - followed by a 32-metre field goal from Luke Brooks gave Wests Tigers a sixth victory of the season.

A win by Canterbury would have relegated Brisbane to last place on the competition table for the first time after the early rounds since 1999.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire kicked a chair in utter frustration during halftime in a round 12 against New Zealand Warriors.

Who knows who – or what - he may have booted on Sunday had his side blown a 16-point lead to the wooden spoon favourites.

There were seven tries posted in a loose if not entertaining first half. There is a gaping gap in class between rugby league’s top sides and those that competed on Sunday.

The Bulldogs were courageous yet again and lost playmaker Kieran Foran through an ankle injury with 16 minutes remaining. Canterbury has lost five of their past six games.

Luke Brooks celebrates kicking the winning field goal with Moses Mbye.

Canterbury scored four consecutive tries to somehow take the lead with 10 minutes remaining but just couldn’t seal the deal.

Bulldogs prop Dylan Napa was placed on report in the 27th minute for allegedly leading with his head.

‘Bitter pill’: Georgallis laments ruthlessness of Bulldogs axe

Interim Bulldogs coach Steve Georgallis says it is a “bitter pill to swallow” after being axed by the club without having a conversation with incoming mentor Trent Barrett.

Georgallis was one of six staff members, including physical performance manager Harry Harris, high-performance manager Tony Ayoub, assistant coach Brad Henderson, trainer Tony Grimaldi and skills coach Steve James who were told their contracts would not be extended last week.

Georgallis had publicly asked to remain part of the club but said he was told of the decision before getting a chance to speak with Barrett.

Interim Bulldogs coach Steve Georgallis will be looking for a job elsewhere in 2021.

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“It’s hard to handle for because you work really hard to get in a certain position as a coach, you work your way back after this happened to me in 2011,” Georgallis said referring to his stint as Panthers interim coach before being moved on by the club.

“It has taken me a while to get back to this position. I’m more equipped to handle it this time. What do you say? It’s a hard pill to swallow.

“It hit a few (of the others really hard), they were disappointed. We will take it on the chin. It’s the game we’re involved in and how cutthroat it can be.”

The Bulldogs have won one game since Georgallis took over from Dean Pay four weeks ago but have been far more competitive. They upset Newcastle before close defeats to St George Illawarra and Newcsatle. Last week they were thumped 41-10 to Melbourne.

Georgallis wants to remain coaching.

Georgallis has word with senior Bulldogs player Kieran Foran.

“In our game it’s quite hard,” Georgallis said.

“A lot of clubs have a lot of coaches coming through their ranks.

“I’m hopeful (with) the experience I’ve had, the coaching and junior competitions I’ve won, that puts me in good stead.”

Georgallis has swung an axe of his own by dumping Kiwi skipper Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for their clash against the Tigers on Sunday.

Reimis Smith will start on the wing in place of Watene-Zelezniak with back-rower Matt Doorey to take his place on the interchange bench to play the Tigers.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been dropped for the game against the Tigers.

“Dal and I have been chatting the last three or four weeks,” Georgallis said.

“It isn’t something that popped up. We had a chat about it this week about bot over complicating everything and going back to the basis and not think about why he isn’t playing well and play to his strengths.

“He is disappointed. Matt Doorey is a great kid.

“He is a second-rower. Runs great lines. Training really well.”

Originally published as NRL 2020: Wests Tigers nearly blow huge lead before late rally sees off plucky Bulldogs