Tigers edge Knights 28-26 in Robbie Farah’s 300th NRL game

Wests Tigers veteran Robbie Farah has celebrated his milestone 300th NRL game in style with a try in his side’s victory over the Knights, but a late Kalyn Ponga sin binning had home fans up in arms.

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Robbie Farah thought his career might be over when former coach Jason Taylor ushered him out the door at the end of 2016.

But in a magical 300th milestone on Friday night in Newcastle, the veteran hooker celebrated one of the most satisfying victories of his distinguished career - as he and his old mate Benji Marshall turned back the clock to keep the Wests Tigers’ season alive.

In front of another bumper Newcastle crowd of 21,029, Farah finished with a crucial try while Marshall also touched down to help inspire a thrilling 28-26 victory.

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Robbie Farah emerged victorious from his 300th NRL game. Picture: Darren Pateman

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It was the first time both Farah and Benji have scored in the same match since way back in 2011.

Farah couldn’t believe that statistic.

But after saying all week he didn’t want the night to be about him, he was extra proud of the performance the Tigers produced to fight back after trailing 12-0 after only eight minutes.

“That was the message all week, it wasn’t about my milestone,” Farah said.

Kalyn Ponga scored a solo stunner for the Knights. Picture: Tony Feder

“Milestone games don’t necessarily get you a win unless you show up and prepare to get the win.

“We came here with our season on the line and it is obviously a big week for the town up here and Newcastle have obviously had their backs against the wall as well.

“We had our work cut out and at 12-0 down it is even tougher so I am just really proud of the boys that we could find a way to win and keep our season alive.

“In the context of where we are on the ladder with Newcastle ahead of us that really was a four-point game.

“We are back at home next week and if we can build a bit of momentum anything is possible.”

Corey Thompson came up big for the visitors. Picture: Darren Pateman

TIGERS STAY ALIVE

The two teams turned on an absolute ripper with 10 tries all up and the action pretty much lasted from the very first minute until the last.

The Knights roared to an early 12-0 lead before the Tigers fought back to take an 18-12 advantage to the break.

The second half certainly didn’t take a back step with Farah rewarded for his desperation when he barged over from dummy half, while Benji scored after copping a nasty knock in the face while attempting to make an earlier tackle.

Marshall’s try was a throw-back as he stepped and weaved his way to the tryline.

It had followed a similar first half magic act from Kalyn Ponga when the livewire Newcastle fullback stepped past six players inside 10 metres to score one of the best solo tries of the season.

The wins moves the Tigers to 18 competition points, equal terms with the eighth placed Knights with six rounds remaining.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire had challenged his players through the week and on Friday night he said their response tells him what his team is capable of.

“I haven’t changed my thoughts about this squad, that is why I challenged them,” Maguire said.

“I have obviously been doing the coaching gig for a little while now and I see a lot of these players who the stronger they believe in themselves the better they are going to be.

“If they keep continually finding what they did there tonight there is no reason why we can’t keep progressing forward. This group has got a lot more left in them.”

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The Tigers haven’t played finals football since 2011, the longest drought of any NRL club.

But in Robbie’s last season, anything is still possible.

“That is why we play, that is why I coach,” Maguire added.

“That is the whole reason why we are here, to get to the grand final. “Every single player is learning how to turn up each week, better and better, and if they keep doing that, well, you never know what could happen.”

WESTS TIGERS 28 (C Thompson 2 R Farah B Marshall P Momirovski tries M Mbye 4 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 26 (H Hunt S Kenny-Dowall T Moga K Ponga J Ramien tries K Ponga 3 goals) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Henry Perenara

Originally published as Tigers edge Knights 28-26 in Robbie Farah’s 300th NRL game