Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal scores first try in his 117th game

The NRL world has erupted as one after Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal ended the competition’s longest running joke — and sent fans wild.

Alex Twal is an NRL try scorer. Photo: Fox Sports

It has finally happened — Alex Twal is an NRL try scorer.

The Wests Tigers prop has played 116 games and gone oh so close but has been unable to cross the stripe for a four-pointer.

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But 24 minutes into the Tigers’ 28-6 loss to the Melbourne Storm at Campbelltown — Twal’s 117th match — the magic moment finally happened.

Having been the butt of the joke as the footy gods seemed desperate not to give him a try, they finally relented when a cross-field kick was knocked down by his backs and the ball narrow avoided going to David Klemmer.

Although not the longest ever try drought, Twal had held the longest wait for his first try, having overtaken former Manly and Canterbury forward Mark Brokenshire, who retired after 103 NRL games without a try.

It left Twal to dive on the ball — and his teammates and the Tigers faithful reacted like he’d just won them a premiership.

In Fox League commentary Andrew Voss was screaming.

“Alex Twal, Alex Twal has ended up with the ball,” he said. “Unbelievable!

“One small step for man, one giant leap for Alex Twal.

“Even if he didn’t leave Earth to score the try, a miracle on Fox League on Saturday night and everyone here in Campbelltown knows it.”

He's finally done it. Photo: Fox Sports

Michael Ennis said: “Can you believe it?”

“No,” Voss interjected.

“We’ve made a joke of him coming onto the field, he’s been on for a minute and look at the joint, it’s rocking here at Campbelltown, it’s going berserk,” Ennis said.

Voss continued: “Twal has scored, the world is beautiful. This is a moment folks, 116 games in.”

Ennis: “And if the Bunker dares take it off him, they’ll burn the bloody joint.”

But there were no concerns and now Twal’s try tally is one.

“We’ve joked for years commentating saying tonight’s the night,” Ennis said. “I’m actually so happy that I was here the night he scored.”

That's the smile of an NRL try scorer. Photo: Fox Sports

The reaction was swift from the NRL world.

Alex Twal … That is all … That’s the Tweet

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) June 17, 2023

ALEX TWAL SCORED!! pic.twitter.com/vHwQYSAah8

— Mark Geyer (@markMGgeyer) June 17, 2023

Phew @WestsTigers finally gets over #no nudie 🧡🧡🧡 love it @VossyBrandySEN@SENLeague@7NewsSydney

— Michelle Bishop (@7michellebishop) June 17, 2023

Where were you when Twal scored?

— Darcie McDonald (@DarcieMcDonald) June 17, 2023

Twal, you beauty!!! #116games

— Dean Ritchie (@BulldogRitchie) June 17, 2023

OH MY GOD IT HAPPENED

— Elliott Lovejoy (@ElliottLovejoy) June 17, 2023

At halftime, Twal spoke to Fox League and said: “Obviously really pleased to cross the line but we’re down 14-6 at the moment, just got to go out there, knock them down and make sure we get a good 40 minutes ahead.”

Cooper Cronk called it “the most celebrated try in the history of the game”.

But as Twal said, his first four-pointer hadn’t stopped the Storm from taking a 14-6 lead into the break.

And was extended in the 53rd minute when Storm winger Will Warbrick completed his hat-trick.

He had a fourth in the 64th minute before Kane Bradley ran up the score with a 72nd minute score, making it 28-6.