Tigers beat Dragons 42-14 to set up Leichhardt Oval blockbuster

Wests Tigers will face Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval for the final spot in the NRL’s top eight after beating St George Illawarra 42-14 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Benji Marshall starred for the Tigers. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

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If Robbie Farah runs onto Leichhardt Oval this Sunday against Cronulla it won’t be because Michael Maguire wants to spoonfeed an emotional farewell for the retiring Wests Tigers legend.

With the Tigers now in charge of their finals destiny following yesterday’s 42-14 thumping of an embarrassing St George Illawarra, the hard-nosed Tigers coach refused to buy into the fairy tale on Sunday night.

While most of the post-match conversation centred around Farah’s potential availability for what could also be Paul Gallen’s final NRL match, Maguire declared “we definitely won’t be taking any risks”.

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Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire (R) is not buying into any fairytale farewells for club legend Robbie Farah (L). Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Farah has not played since breaking his leg in the round 21 loss to Canterbury. But is now off crutches and actually started running on an anti-gravity machine during the week.

Maguire wouldn’t even say if he had a gut feeling either way.

“I really don’t know,” Maguire said.

“It is one of those ones where he could go to the surgeon and say ‘he can’t play’.

“Until he actually does that I am guessing. The last thing he is going to do is put himself forward if he can’t play.”

Benji Marshall starred for the Tigers. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

Farah has been one of the Tigers’ best this season but Maguire conceded the way the team was playing since his injury also had to come into consideration.

The Tigers also hammered Newcastle 46-4 last round, while Benji Marshall and Josh Reynolds are really starting to make the dummy half rotation work in Farah’s absence.

“I have been pleased with how the boys have found their game in the last two weeks so I have to look at that as well,” Maguire added.

“I will grab Robbie over the next 24 hours and talk to the physios and doctors and see what the plan may be around that but we definitely won’t be taking any risks.”

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BENJI AND BROOKS SHOW

A day that started knowing their hopes of making the play offs could be dead if Cronulla beat Canberra and the Tigers lost to the Dragons ultimately ended with the Tigers racking up a record win over their joint venture rivals with Farah sitting on the bench.

On a glorious Sunday afternoon at the SCG Benji turned back the clock with a mesmerising performance where the veteran playmaker scored one terrific solo try, set up two more while his game management just continues to grow.

While Benji was the standout Brooks was almost as impressive as he continues another outstanding season.

The irony is when Benji was forced out of the club in 2013 it was because of the emergence of a young Brooks.

Now they have the chance to push the club with the longest NRL finals drought into their first play off series since 2011.

It was a tough day out for Ben Hunt. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

HUNT’S CONFIDENCE CRISIS

While Benji’s contract this year is worth $170,000, Ben Hunt is on a reported $1.2 million.

You talk about getting bang for your buck.

But while Marshall is yet to decide if he will play on, Dragons fans would have to be more worried than ever about Hunt’s crisis of confidence.

Hunt had another forgettable performance with some diabolical decision making.

There is going to be even more pressure on Hunt next year when Gareth Widdop heads back to the Super League.

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MARY OWNS THE BLAME

The Dragons didn’t have much to play for but even so it was another awful performance that intensifies pressure on Paul McGregor.

The under fire coach conceded while he felt “shattered” the disappointment was made worse with confirmation Cameron McInnes had broken his leg in the dying minutes.

Youngster Zac Lomax also suffered a sickening concussion that will almost certainly sideline him for the final game against Gold Coast.

Asked who was to blame for what has become an embarrassment for the proud club, McGregor said: “Well, I’m the coach. I am the leader of the club. I think we all have to take responsibility throughout the club but I am the coach.”

WESTS TIGERS 42 (P Momirovski 3 L Brooks L Garner B Marshall E Taylor tries P Momirovski 7 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 14 (E Aitken G Widdop tries G Widdop 3 goals) at Sydney Cricket Ground. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Ziggy Przeklasa- Adamski. Crowd: 9,136

Originally published as Tigers beat Dragons 42-14 to set up Leichhardt Oval blockbuster