‘Win for the ages’: Wild scenes as Tigers snap third longest losing streak in club history
The Wests Tigers have bounced back from what was described as an “atrocity” last week to snap the third-longest losing streak in club history.
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What a difference a week makes?
The Wests Tigers have snapped a nine-game losing streak — the third longest in club history — in a gutsy 18-10 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Leichhardt Oval.
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Last Friday night, the Tigers hit rock bottom once again after being blown away 56-14 by the Dragons despite taking a halftime lead in a deplorable second half display.
The club appeared consigned to losing their spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval and head coach Benji Marshall was copping it having gone away on holidays despite having not won since April 1.
A week later, Leichhardt has received a $40m lifeline from the Commonwealth, State and Local governments to breathe new life into the place fans and former stars declare as “the eighth wonder of the world”.
And the Tigers celebrated by snapping their losing streak and moving off the bottom of the NRL ladder — overtaking the Titans into 16th.
If the Eels lose to the Roosters by over 18 points, the Tigers could finish the round in 15th.
The game didn’t rise to any great heights, with both sides fighting for what has been a rare win in 2024.
But the pro-Tigers crowd celebrated like it was a grand final win after the game, despite their record only improving to 3-10 for the season.
While it won’t be overnight success for the Tigers, something is brewing as the club blooded its eighth and ninth debutants for the season in Macarthur juniors Heath Mason and Jordan Miller.
It meant the Tigers played with eight players who are 22 years old or younger, believed to be one of the youngest teams in NRL history.
Tigers captain Api Koroisau was buzzing at full-time.
“There was so much going on this week, so many young guys debuting, so good to get the win for them,” Koroisau said, before thanking the fans and calling Leichhardt “one of the best grounds in the world”.
“100 per cent, there’s something about Leichhardt,” he added.
“These suburban grounds, the noise. They really ride you and especially when you are doing well.
“It’s not even the tries they celebrate for, it’s the big hits too.”
Fox League’s Lara Pitt asked the Tigers skipper about the lack of experience, as the bench had just three games of NRL experience after losing Alex Twal and Alex Lobb through head knocks during the week.
“We’re one of the youngest teams to ever be fielded in the NRL and I said to them ‘that’s a great challenge’,” he added.
“Imagine if we won that game and the legacy that leaves for us and those young guys. I’m glad we got the win.”
In his press conference, Marshall paid tribute to the fans.
“To turn up to Leichhardt today after nine straight losses and see our fans turn up today like they did on the hill, and coming in from warm up, a standing ovation, for the players, that lifts you,” he said.
“To have that support after a tough time, it meant a lot to us. And to see them at the end there celebrating, that was pretty special.”
On Fox League, Mal Meninga said although the Tigers did a lot of good things “the Titans were pretty awful in that second half”.
Cooper Cronk also joked that Marshall “deserves another trip to Fiji after that victory”.
Meninga also implored the club to stay at Leichhardt.
“I know they’re talking about going to Accor (Stadium), but if I’m the CEO and the club and the board, I’m playing there every week if we possibly can because for some reason it just brings out that spirit,” Meninga said.
Long suffering Tigers fans were thrilled to see the end of the two and a half month losing streak.
Tigers legend Garry Jack tweeted: “What a terrific win today by the Tigers.
“Just goes to show how important Leichhardt Oval is to the future of the Wests Tigers. 3 wins at home this season.”
Former reporter Ray Gatt commented: “What a win. Fought so hard. The crowd was fantastic. The young guys did great.
“Api what a legend. Sam Fainu is unbelievable. Wait till he gets more games under his belt. Olam such a great signing
“And what about Leichhardt Oval…8th wonder of the world. More games there please!!!!”
Journalist Greg Prichard posted: “Terrific, desperate win by @WestsTigers. Not the prettiest, but full of grit. Great way to end a good week for the club. Tigers cop plenty of stick but they’ve got the right man in charge in Richo. Hope they get a positive response from the critics today.”
The Forty20 Vision account wrote: “Club still has a long way to go, but you can see glimpses of a rebuild in progress.”
The Hold The Ball account added: “Well done, Tigers. I’m celebrating with you.”
One fan said: “Well done Tigers. Well done Benji Marshall. This is the lucky break they needed.”
Another fan commented: “Congrats to the @WestsTigers supporters who turned up to Leichhardt today after last weeks atrocity. A win for the ages given the number of outs.”
Another said what many Tigers fans were feeling.
“What an amazing feeling, from a week of the lowest lows, we pull out a win with a bunch of kids,” @CamTheDadGuy tweeted.
“Stef and Pole really stepped up and Mason looked made for first grade.
“Not sure what to do with the positive feeling.”
It was a shocker from the Titans, who led at halftime and had nine line breaks but went scoreless in the second half.
“You don’t have nine line breaks to two and lose,” Hasler said post-game.
Skipper Kieran Foran was equally furious.
“It was just dumb,” he said. “There’s no other way to describe it, it’s stupid. We just shot ourselves in the foot.”
Originally published as ‘Win for the ages’: Wild scenes as Tigers snap third longest losing streak in club history
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