Luke Brooks leads Wests Tigers to stunning 12-8 win over Penrith Panthers amid hip-drop drama

After watching his two-time defending premiers stunned in one of the biggest upsets in NRL history, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary took aim at the game’s controversial hip-drop crackdown.

Wests Tigers players celabrate a try against the Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary says players will be left with little choice but to purposely drop off on tackles after interchange hooker Soni Luke was sin-binned for a hip drop.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the hip-drop tackle has again surfaced after Luke was binned at a crucial time and placed on report for the tackle which came with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Tigers prop Alex Twal was left uninjured by the tackle but Luke was still penalised.

A frustrated Cleary indicated the game had now caused confusion with players’ tackling technique.

“I’ve seen a few like that now,” Cleary said.

“The only way to avoid it is let go.

“How do you tell a footballer to let go? It was like (Brisbane’s Ezra) Mam’s last week who was suspended. The only way you can avoid that is let go.

“The game makes the decisions. I don’t know. I hear the same questions each week and no one has any answers.

“I don’t know how you tell a player to let go deliberately. It’s not in any player’s make-up. I feel for the referees.”

Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo said there were clear-cut hip-drop tackle and those which were 50/50.

“You have to have to have an awareness – it’s as split second thing,” Yeo said. “The bad ones which hurt someone you can (identify them).”

Luke’s potential suspension will be costly for the Panthers who have a growing shortage in their forward pack.

Soni Luke was sin-binned for a hip-drop tackle. Picture: NRL Photos

Fill-in starting prop Matt Eisenhuth lasted just 15 minutes before he was forced from the field with a shoulder injury.

Cleary said Eisenhuth’s injury “was not great”.

They were already without James Fisher-Harris (knee), Liam Martin (hamstring) and Spencer Leinu (calf) for the game in Bathurst.

Any suspension to Luke would mean hooker Mitch Kenny may have to go 80 minutes ahead of their clash against the Warriors next Saturday.

Kenny slots into the middle forward rotation when Luke comes off the bench which means the Panthers will again be down another option.

Cleary said he was unsure who would be available next week.

They have the likes of Eddie Blacker and Chris Smith in reserve grade while Mavrik Geyer – the son of Panthers legend Mark – may also come into calculations should Penrith fail to get any players back.

Wests Tigers players celabrate a try against the Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos

DROUGHT BUSTERS: TIGERS STUN PANTHERS TO END 273-DAY WAIT

By Martin Gabor

For the second time in history, David has slayed Goliath.

Nearly nine months – 273 days to be exact – since they last won a game, the Wests Tigers pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NRL history by knocking off the two-time defending premiers in Bathurst with one of the league’s most maligned players getting them home 12-8.

Halfback Luke Brooks has long been the whipping boy at the Tigers for his inability to steer the side around the park, but he outshone opposite number Nathan Cleary in one of his most polished performances in first grade.

Brooks and his left boot were on fire from the outset, with the playmaker nailing a 40-20 in the opening set and then putting in a grubber moments later to set up halves partner Brandon Wakeham for the opener.

He’s heard the critics for the past decade, but for one night he silenced the haters by nailing another 40/20 in the second half which led to David Nofolauma crossing for the only four-pointer after the break.

“He had a good game, that’s all I want to say,” Tim Sheens said.

“Brooksy doesn’t like seeing his name in the paper.”

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Luke Brooks led the Wests Tigers to a shock win over Penrith. Picture: Getty Images

There were scary moments at the end as they had to survive raid after raid from a team that has forgotten how to lose, but they repelled them time and time again to show their fans that they still remember how to win.

You could have been forgiven for thinking they’d won a comp by the way they celebrated after full-time in the driving rain, and given everything they’ve been through, this would have felt even better.

“At the moment, it’s pretty up there,” skipper Api Koroisau replied when asked how this win compared to some of his most famous victories.

“Coming up against an incredible side like Penrith … we played tough footy.”

Wests Tigers players celabrate a try against the Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos

BULA’S DREAM CONTINUES

Tim Sheens has been criticised for a few selection calls this season, but he has absolutely nailed the move to make Jahream Bula the team’s fullback.

Bula looked comfortable against the Sea Eagles on debut last week but he was even better on Saturday night against the best team of the past few years.

The unheralded fullback was the best player on the field in the second half, laying on a try for Nofoaluma, forcing a line dropout with a clever kick and defusing every bomb sent his way.

But the highlight came with his side clinging onto a four-point lead when he reeled in Cleary, chopped him down short of the line and forced the ball to pop free when the rep star looked certain to put the Panthers back in front.

Jahream Bula was superb for the Wests Tigers. Picture: NRL Photos

NADEN’S NERVOUS WAIT

There have been some questionable sin bins throughout 2023, but no one could argue the call to send Brent Naden from the field for 10 minutes for an ugly shoulder charge on Zac Hosking.

The Tigers centre got himself in an awkward position and collected the back-rower high with a tackle that could have seen him sent off if he did more damage.

It was Naden’s first game back from injury and he faces a nervous wait for the charges to drop after he copped a four-week ban for a spear tackle on Jake Trbojevic last year.