Epic Benji Marshall photo in wild Wests Tigers scenes

NRL legend Benji Marshall was spotted right in the middle of the Wests Tigers wild celebrations after silencing his critics.

The Inner West Council is reportedly keen to stop hosting NRL matches at Leichhardt Oval from 2026 onwards, but 15,990 rabid fans and a scintillating performance from the home side prove this venue still has its place in the game.

Written off after their poor showing in Canberra last week, Benji Marshall’s troops responded in the best way possible to hand the rookie coach his first official win in the NRL as the Wests Tigers stunned the previously unbeaten Sharks 32-6.

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The new head coach then headed into the sheds to lead the new team song in what will be a welcome sight for success starved Tigers fans.

The new lyrics pay tribute to the heritage of Western Suburbs and Balmain, the two clubs who merged 25 years ago, foxsports.com.au reported.

Speaking of those fans, they may have been asked to pay $55 at the gate for a general admission ticket, but they didn’t seem to care with the famous hill overflowing and making more noise than some of the soulless major stadiums could ever dream of.

This was a performance the Tigers of 2005 would have been proud of, and nearly 20 years later, it’s one that should get the fans excited going forward with the Marshall plan executed to perfection.

Skipper Api Koroisau led from the front with a couple of try assists, young gun Lachie Galvin ran the ball well and new recruit Justin Olam was an occupational health and safety hazard for the defence who had no answers for the former Storm star.

Nicho’s night to forget

Nicho Hynes may have started the round with a perfect 12 Dally M points, but there’s no way the Sharks halfback will add to that tally, even if the voting has made little sense this season.

Hynes had one of the worst nights of his career on Saturday, dropping it twice, missing six tackles and twice kicking out on the full in the first half, with Koroisau almost punishing him, only for the hooker to lose it over the line.

Benji was right in the thick of it.

But there would be no second chance for Hynes who failed to jump on a loose ball, with Koroisau making amends a couple of plays later when he set up Olam just before the break.

Hail Sezer

The Tigers have some talented young halves coming through the ranks, but Aidan Sezer proved just how valuable experience is as he totally outplayed Hynes.

Sezer was promoted to the starting side and kicked the Sharks to death with his left boot, with the veteran playmaker setting up two tries including a chip kick that Cronulla couldn’t handle as Jahream Bula touched down in the second half.

Call off the hunt

We’ve seen some bizarre pre-match injuries in the warm up, but we might have found a new category after Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt tore his calf while getting ready on the bench.

It was a major loss for the visitors who really missed his aggression through the middle, with Hunt now set to miss a potential rematch against old sparring partner Corey Horsburgh next week.

The Sharks also lost veteran Dale Finucane to an HIA, while prop Toby Rudolf finished the night in a moon boot.

Tigers fans erupt at Leichhardt Oval

A standing ovation was not what anyone expected on Saturday night.

But Benji Marshall’s troops put all that to one side and marched to an 18-6 lead at the break, with captain Api Koroisau in imperious form.

West Tigers fans at Leichhardt Oval. Photos: Fox Sports/Getty Images

It had the 15,990-strong crowd and the commentators in raptures when Aidan Sezer slotted a conversion after the halftime siren.

“Through it goes, stand by for a standing ovation at Leichhardt!” Andrew Voss screamed on Fox League.

“They’re up in the crowd, have a look and a listen to this.

“The joint is jumping, 18-6, Koroisau has been the conduit to all things good.

“Just a fantastic leaders performance.”

Journalist and sideline commentator James Hooper was even more effusive.

“The power of Leichhardt Oval is alive and well,” Hooper said in front of the famous hill.

“Black and gold, never fold as the late, great Laurie Nichols said.

“And right here, right now, they’ve almost got the sold out sign up here at Leichhardt Oval.

“If the Tigers get home tonight, it’s going to be these supporters that will get them over the line.

“Who said suburban rugby league was dead and buried?”

Originally published as Epic Benji Marshall photo in wild Wests Tigers scenes