Tigers shelf first premiership trophy since 1982

Wests Tigers have put their cursed run behind them to revel in the breaking of a 36-year premiership drought after they defeated Moranbah Miners 34-16.

Wests Tigers were crowned Major Premiers of the 2018 MDRL competition after a crushing 34-16 win over the Moranbah Miners. Picture: Aidan Cureton

RUGBY LEAGUE: Wests Tigers have put their cursed run behind them to revel in the breaking of a 36-year premiership drought.

The Tigers got the better of Moranbah Miners 34-16 at BB Print Stadium Sunday to take out the coveted title.

The final siren sounded to a roaring reception from a grandstand packed with die-hard orange clad supporters who cheered and flooded the field in celebration of the 2018 Mackay and District Rugby League A-Grade champions.

Carrying the expectations of the entire Pioneer Valley, and with the additional pressure of being unable to plant their flag as premiers since 1982, head coach of the Tigers, Craig Menkins, said crunch time couldn't have held more weight.

"(It) feels like an elephant is lifted off my back, so it's a great feeling” he said.

"We talked about the 36 years and it does get on top of you a little bit and it was great to pull it off and get that hoodoo off our back.”

"I think it lifted the boys... it was an encouragement to get that job done and incentive to get that for the club.”

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The nearly undefeated titans of this year's competition held their reputation, hammering in a quick 10-point lead which only grew as the game went on.

Moranbah Miners were hungry to strip the lead away from the Tigers and looked capable of turning the tide when they became firmly entrenched in Wests' half for a large portion in the second half, but a ruthless defence never gave them the chance for a taste.

"I think we were the better on the day, there's no doubt about that, and the best side all year, so it was good to get out here and get the job done,” Menkins said.

The rallied support for the Tigers was a great motivator said Menkins.

Moranbah coach David Stevens agreed, saying plenty of "inspiring words” were shouted at their end of the dugout.

"We had a fantastic crowd here today, and it was good to bring this back for the whole Pioneer Valley, to go since 1982 (without a premiership win) is a long while ago,” Menkins said.

'It means everything. Honestly, there are some people involved in the club, like Brett Leach, and guys who have been involved in the club for 30 years... so this is for them, our club and all our supporters. We'll be celebrating for some time.”

In his two years of coaching the Tigers, Menkins' lead has brought them to two grand finals, a number that is only expected to grow as the star coach revealed he had no intentions of taking off the orange and black just yet.

Originally published as Tigers shelf first premiership trophy since 1982