NRL 2021: Wests Tigers’ season over after loss to Cronulla Sharks

With their season on the line, the Wests Tigers conceded a staggering number of points at the hands of the Cronulla Sharks.

The Tigers’ finals drought is set to continue. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Michael Maguire would have loved the privacy of the coaching box on Saturday, but instead he had to spend another frustrating afternoon in the stands amongst the punters as the Wests Tigers’ finals hopes were ended by the Sharks.

It wasn’t quite as dramatic as the Sunday afternoon showdown at Leichhardt Oval in 2019 that featured a Paul Gallen field goal, but it had the same outcome for the Tigers, who need the miracle of all miracles to sneak into the top eight for the first time since 2011.

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“We knew exactly what we were coming to and we didn’t get the job done,” Maguire said.

“The competition is still wide open. Anything can happen in the NRL.”

They came into the game on the back of two-straight wins but they were no match for a professional Sharks side that is now back in the finals hunt after a comfortable 50-20 win in Rockhampton.

The fallout from the loss will make for good viewing in the Tales From Tiger Town documentary, because no coach could cop so many basic errors in such an important game.

Moses Mbye passed when the line was wide open and they had a simple try disallowed because of a scrum infringement, while their defence was unacceptable with so much at stake.

“That’s what you’ve got to handle when you play at this level,” Maguire said when asked how his players handled the occasion.

“We’ve got a number of players, who at times throughout the game, ebbed and flowed when they needed to get the job done.”

Like they’ve done so often in 2021, the Tigers showed some fight when the game was already gone to make the scoreboard more respectable, but even that didn’t last as the Sharks smelled blood in the water and showed why they are the apex predator.

No team has conceded 50 points and gone on to win the competition. Somewhat mercifully, that won’t apply for the Tigers who will have to watch the playoffs on TV.

Some really fun footy and a whole bucketload of errors. As a neutral it’s been good to watch. Must be tough as a supporter of either team. #NRLTigersSharks

— Rob Sutherland (@rob_sutherland3) August 21, 2021

Feels cruel to point out the 50-point stat against the Wests Tigers today.

Bigger question is where to from here? #NRLTigersSharks

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) August 21, 2021

Sharknado has drowned the Tigers season ##NRLTigersSharks

— Justin Flitter (@JustinFlitter) August 21, 2021

Well that's that then... #nrltigerssharks mistakes.. mistakes mistakes

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) August 21, 2021

Cool hand Luke

They hadn’t won a game since Shaun Johnson suffered a season-ending hamstring injury against the Bulldogs, but a new-look halves pairing has breathed life into Cronulla’s finals campaign.

“To put 50 on says we might be a decent footy side,” coach Josh Hannay said.

Braydon Trindall has been a shining light in recent weeks, and he was at it again in Rockhampton. He threw a brilliant pass to set up the first try and nailed a 40/20 in an outstanding first-half showing, but it was the inclusion of Luke Metcalf that could be a masterstroke heading into the finals.

“I thought Luke Metcalf was tremendous,” Hannay said.

“For Luke, it was probably a coming of age game for him. He’s got something there.”

The local junior made the most of his first NRL start, causing all sorts of headaches on the left edge. He set up Ronaldo Mulitalo with a peach of a pass and then received an early Christmas present when his winger unselfishly handed him the ball with the line wide open.

He then completed his double late in the contest when the returning Matt Moylan broke through and found Metcalf backing up in support. He looks a real talent and worked well with Will Kennedy, who had another enormous game at the back.

“I just wanted to come into the team and get a good performance going for 80 minutes instead of coming off the bench,” Metcalf said.

The Sharks scored more points on Saturday than ever before in a match against the Wests Tigers. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Final fantasy

It’s been a rollercoaster year for the Sharks, but they control their own destiny as they look to extend their impressive post-season streak.

Cronulla occupies eighth spot for now and has a better points differential than its nearest rivals, who have both already lost this week.

The Sharks face the Broncos next and then finish the regular season against the Storm. On paper it looks like a certain loss, but Melbourne could easily rest the bulk of its squad if its sewn up the minor premiership.

The only negative to come from the huge win is a suspected broken jaw for Mulitalo, who scored two tries in the first half.

The Sharks and Tigers contested Rockhampton’s first ever NRL game on Saturday. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Tough call costs Tigers

Michael Maguire held his tongue when asked about a controversial no-try ruling during his side’s heavy 50-20 loss to the Sharks, but it was fairly clear that he disagreed with the Bunker’s decision to take four points off the board.

It looked like they’d started an unlikely comeback when Adam Doueihi was awarded a try on the back of a sneaky scrum play close to the line.

But the dreaded ping of the referee’s whistle meant the try was sent upstairs, and it wasn’t good news for the Tigers.

The Bunker had a couple of looks at it and decided that Sharks forward Teig Wilton was “held unfairly in the scrum” by Kelma Tuilagi, resulting in a penalty for Cronulla that put them straight back on the attack.

It was probably a moot point given the final score, but it could have been the spark that got the Tigers back in the game.

“Those sorts of things go on all the time. They’re 50-50 calls,” Maguire said.

“I think every front-rower in the game is holding onto someone at some stage, but they decided to look at that one.”

While Maguire remained calm in the press conference, the Fox League commentary team was more than happy to question the call.

“If you’re a Tigers fan, they’d be reeling from it,” Corey Parker said.

“It’s an enormous call in the context of their season.”

Former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan used a similar play to great effect in the 2016 Grand Final for Ben Barba to score, and he thought the Tigers may have copped a tough call this time around.

“I find that hard to make a decision on, especially front-rowers,” he said.

“You’re supposed to bind and pack into a scrum and hold your opposition front-rower. Then they’re going to look at it and say ‘no, you packed too tight, you held the opposition in’.

“I just don’t understand, front-rowers have to bind and they’re facing the other way so they don’t actually know when the ball is out.”

Mulitalo’s heartbreak

Sharks coach Josh Hannay says Ronaldo Mulitalo was sent straight to hospital following his side’s pivotal 50-20 win over the Wests Tigers, with the club fearful that the winger may have broken his jaw.

Mulitalo was outstanding on Saturday with two tries and unselfishly passed up a hat-trick when he passed to rookie Luke Metcalf for a gift four points with the line wide open.

But the joy soon turned to tragedy when he collected a stray elbow while trying to tackle Tommy Talau.

Mulitalo came straight off and had ice on his jaw, and he was in tears after the game as he walked across the Rockhampton field.

“We’re not sure yet of the severity of Ronnie’s injury. It is his jaw,” Hannay said.

“He’s gone to hospital now to get some scans so we’ll get to the bottom of it before we get out of here. It’s not looking great, but I can’t sit here now and tell you exactly what’s gone on.”

It’s been a brutal year for Mulitalo who had his State of Origin debut taken away from him because of an eligibility bungle.

He is a key figure in this Cronulla team not just because of his talent but because of his infectious personality, and his absence would leave a huge hole in their attack as they push towards the finals.

As upset as he was, Mulitalo still managed to give his boots to a fan after the game.

“He’s a big piece for our team. He’s a spark for us and he gives everyone a lot of energy,” his coach said.

“Invariably, when Ronnie has a good game, we win. He’s that kind of player. He was having a really good day out there. Fingers crossed it’s a good result.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Wests Tigers’ season over after loss to Cronulla Sharks