For the most recent generation of Tigers fans, finals footy meant one thing: premiership glory in 2005. Until last night.
At the Sydney Football Stadium, against the Roosters, the ghosts of Balmain finals series past came calling in the most heartbreaking playoff loss in recent memory – in a match was surely every inch as captivating as any ever played in history of The Greatest Game.
Finals matches at the SFS – one time home of rugby league, and in the shadows of the legendary SCG – always generate an atmosphere which is impossible to replicate on the sterile expanses of Homebush Bay.
It all starts with the march up Foveaux Street, as rugby league’s suburban diaspora is funneled from Central Station to Moore Park. On Saturday, it was orange and black, with a smattering of the red, white and blue, and the odd bemused looking Wallabys fan pushing against the grain heading east-to-west towards the rugby union at the Olympic precinct. If you need one defining image of Sydney’s sporting geography, that is it.
Colours on backs, beers in hands; for the league fans on the way to Moore Park, club allegiances divide, but the shared history of the game unites. The crowd has come, like those before it, to be carried away momentarily by the simple pleasure of what in the eyes of its most passionate adherents is the fastest, toughest, greatest game of all.
And, boy, did they ever see a game to carry a crowd away on Saturday night.
For the Wests Tigers, the first half of the match against the Roosters was as rewarding as that first sip of cold beer at the Captain Cook after the walk in the early Spring sun through the aptly named Surrey Hills.
Finally, it seemed, this talented but notoriously patchy team had truly clicked. The playmakers were assured, the outside backs were clinical, and the forwards relentlessly belted their powerful opponents.
They even had the patience to maintain the pressure and steadily pile on the points even after a litany of near misses thanks to some desperate on-line Roosters defence. Never mind 2005; the 2010 Tigers were playing like a whole new breed of champions.
But the Roosters mad scramble in defence showed that while the Sydney boys might have under the pump, they weren’t going to give up. And the constant threat posed by the pace and guile of halves Pearce and Carney suggested that when the pendulum swung, the Roosters’ little men would still be sniffing around waiting to pull out the big play.
And so it came to pass. Despite a lucky intercept try to promising centre Blake Ayshford early in the second period, the Tigers – whose lead was stretched to 15 – 2 thanks to a Farah field goal – started to look vulnerable. The clichéd momentum shift was upon us, rippling perceptibly over field and crowd alike.
The Tigers pack – firmly on the front foot and led superbly by Gibbs, Fulton and Payten in the first half – showed gradual signs of strain as the Roosters sledgehammer kept swinging. Their opponents, reinvigorated, push forward, slowly winning the battle for territory.
After a near miss the set before, Carney chips, cops a lucky bounce, and sets up a try. 15-8.
Minutes later, he hits a hole up the ruck and pops a ball to partner in crime Pearce for a try under the posts. 15-14.
The crowd heaves. The Tigers, so assured in the first 60, show signs of panic. But with their opponents pressing the line in the final minutes, they looked to have the game wrapped up when a huge Simon Dwyer hit Roosters firebrand Warea-Hargreaves.
But for every rugby league fairytale, there is a fair share of nightmares. In future, for Tigers players and fans, these will be dominated by the inexplicable loss of a scrum against the feed with only half a minute left on the clock – and the frantic final seconds which saw Braith Anasta kick an after-the-hooter field goal from 30 metres to tie the scores at 15-all and send the match into extra time.
What followed was perhaps the most amazing period of ‘golden point’ in the history of the NRL. For 20 minutes, the refs put this whistles away, and the teams went at it.
Those who could still stand stood, those who could still run ran, and the rest tried desperately to make up the numbers. It was the Roosters, though, who were clearly on top, with forward and ruck dominance established and the backs punishing a Tigers left edge decimated by the loss of Marshall and Daniella to injury and exposed by the poor decision making of Lote Tuqiri.
But now it was the Tigers turn to be brave. Bryce Gibbs – who has matured over recent seasons from a talented but impetuous liability to an inspirational forward leader – made an amazing charge down and dragged the tired Tigers defensive line along with him, constantly pressuring the Roosters’ kickers.
Both teams blew great chances, sending field goals wide.
Both sets of players stumbled on.
Both sets of fans waited for the inevitable game breaking play – or mistake. And eventually, it came, as Tigers lock Liam Fulton – in the 100th minute of the match – sent an ill-advised wide ball into the waiting arms of Sydney centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who powered 60 metres up and across field for the matchwinning try and an inspirational win.
For Wests Tigers fans, it was the most heartbreaking loss in the history of the joint venture. Balmain boys don’t cry. And Fibros? Forget about it. But last night, the narrowest of losses in the most incredible of games would have been enough to make even a stoic wince.
Eventually, the black, white and gold army which dots Sydney’s inner and south west (and elsewhere besides) will look back with fondness at an all time classic. Those that were there will remember the pulsating crowd and the incredible football. And they might be able to crack a smile.
But not today. Today they’d trade the crowd, and the walk, and all the history and buzz of finals matchday at Moore Park for a win.
Barring a St George Illawarra uber choke against Manly, yesterday’s loss will consign the Tigers to a sudden-death match against a red-hot Canberra – at whose hands the former Balmain lost perhaps the most heartbreaking grand final of all. For another week at least, for Tigers fans, finals memories will be dominated not by thoughts of 2005, but by the ache of 1989 – and, now, 2010.
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Great effort Sam. That walk up Fouveaux St is certainly what rugby league in Sydney is all about...and so is the walk back down. I'll admit I've been in a bad mood for days after having the result of the game spoilt by a 3rd party. I'm in Perth at present and to wait for the Foxtel replay (which is still hours earlier than Channel Nine's effort). I was listening to the AFL on local radio only to have the bafoon calling the game proclaim "and we've found a winner in the rugby league after twenty minutes of extra time" before I ripped the radio out of the wall. Must admit I was still watching the dying minutes trying to work out how the hell the scores would end up even. Probably my own fault for trying to learn these foreign codes.
Sam H
Roar Pro
ptovey01, agree about the attraction of the big games at the SFS. Saturday night was amazing, but atmosphere wise, Saints v Tigers there in 2005 was just insane. Helped by a far better outcome from a Tigers point of view. Hopefully the Tigers can scrape through for a rematch, but I can't see them getting past Canberra on Friday.
ptovey01
Roar Pro
I remember my first walk up Foveaux Street when I was a wee lad. Walking with my Dad to see the Dragons play the Bulldogs, when the SCG was the dragons home ground for a few years in the 80's. It was a great experience then, and it is still a great experience as Sam mentions, but unfortunately, there aren't really enough opportunities to do it. The hill fely like it went on forever and you could feel the tension between the supporters. Nothing violent, just good clean jibes flowed most of the time. 7 or so pubs on the way helps releave the tension (something I found out when I got a bit older), and find a bit of voice facilitating said jibes, adding to the mood. I hope that who ever the Dragons play in the Prelim Final, that they play it at the SFS so I can relive the Foveaux Street pilgramage again for a finals match. I have heard it may be played at ANZ should it be against the Tigers as they feel it will be a bigger crowd. But personally I'd rather have 45K at the SFS rather than 60K at ANZ any day.
ptovey01
Roar Pro
I was also perplexed at Sheens in both the above mentioned Fifita incidents? Did it get mentioned at the press conference?
Gareth
Guest
Without trying to sound overly negative, I do wonder why the Tigers haven't made it a recruitment priority to chase someone with a good goalkicking record. Benji gets the job done, but he's at 64% for this season, and was 66% for last season. He stands out like a sore thumb amongst the rest of the regular kickers who are all around the 80% mark - and given the Tigers propensity to win or lose in close games, you'd have to think they'd be better off even with a bloke like Luke Covell. They're ranked 3rd in the league for tries scored, and 12th for goals scored. I'm not even sure who will take over the kicking duties if Benji is ruled out this weekend.
Sam H
Guest
Junior, thanks for the comments. - it wasn't my headline. - zero direct financial benefit from playing at the SFS may be true (if, as you say, you ignore merch sales to the bigger crowd). It's still the right call as far as I'm concerned (and I love the other grounds as much as anyone). This is the bigtime. We should be playing at big time stadiums for or biggest games of the year. And we do. I'm guessing our contract with the SFS ( the one that helps to keep us afloat, which we wouldn't be if we played all games at Leichhardt/Campbo) stipulates that all home finals have to be played there, so in that event it wasn't really an active decision in the end. If the game wasn't at the SFS, you'd have Wests Tigers and Roosters members paying $50 dollars for a 'seat' on the hill at Leichhardt. That's not up to scratch in the NRL in 2010. - don't get me started on the Heighington incident. The only reason I didn't highlight him specifically in the article is that I wasn't absolutely sure it was him (as I was at the other end of the field at game, where there was only one replay, and I didn't have a chance to watch again on TV before writing it). I can't believe he didn't fall on it. That one image will stay with all Tigers fans for a long, long time...
M1tch
Roar Guru
They didnt have to goto Brisbane..they went across the city to the SFS where the Roosters have lost games at this year. The fact the Tigers wanted to get as many people to the game..33k compared to 20k shows it was the best decision.
Junior
Guest
solid article sam. set the scene nicely and the swipe at rugby union is well noted. there's nowhere near enough balance on this site when it comes to that niche sport. a few thoughts: - your headline is misleading. you would know that this is the first semi the wests tigers have ever lost in their current guise. yeah sure the losses in the balmain days were tough to wear and goodness knows the old magpie fans know what it is to suffer, but, strictly speaking, it's certainly not a case of "yet again". i don't think highlighting an event from over 20 years ago establishes a trend. st george illawarra's history of chokes in the last 10-12 years? now THAT’s a trend (and long may it continue). - totally agree with fisher price above on playing the game at the sfs. allowing more fans to be at the game was the only benefit that was mentioned in the build up. i'd give up my ticket in a heartbeat if the game was played at leichhardt/campbeltown and i missed out. supporters know the system: tickets go on sale => you try to get ‘em => you miss out= > you watch it at the pub. there was ZERO financial benefit to the tigers in playing the game at the sfs. nrl takes the gate remember and tigers get what? merchandise $$$s? please! it's not like the dragons the other year who were offered several hundred thousand dollars by the nrl to switch venues (which they refused to in any case). and it wouldn't be such an issue if roosters didn't play there in the regular season. tell me a rooster player that would have rather the game be played at leichhardt? - there are million twists in the game sure, and each have their consequences but in this match heighington not falling on the ball with 30s on the clock was by far the most influential. i'm not rubbishing the bloke at all - he is fantastic player who puts it on the line every week – but that’s the reality. so forget missed tackles, ref decisions, sprayed field goals, intercept passes, whatever... heighhington falls on that pill (or boots it dead off the ground!) and tigers win.
Jay
Guest
Best game of any football code for the year. Period.
Fivehole
Guest
Heighington, just fall on the ball at the back of the scrum and its game over. Worst play of the finals. Oh, and make it that in overtime the game can't end on a field goal. It was exciting, but a field goal is a crap way to lose. Glad a try sealed it.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Thanks for the link Sam - the most relevant poiint of poor coaching by Sheens was the fact that he only decided to bring on AndrewFafita (who has been one of the best in the last 10 weeks) with about 10 minutes left on the clock in regular playing time. Then for some crazy reason he replaced the only man with fresh legs for the golden point period. I'm glad you don't mind the McIntyre fiasco - there are a host of Tigers supporters that I know who now currently hate the system. When a Golden Point seperates you from either having the week off - or possibly from being totally eliminated in the first week of finals - then there's something definitely wrong. Cheers, Dean.
Fisher Price
Guest
Why give the opposition a boost by playing it at THEIR home ground? I take your points, but still think it was a poor decision.
Dog
Guest
Great read to follow a great game! Not a Tigers fan but had trouble sleeping after it thinking about how the Tigers threw that one away (and I watched it on Aussie TV finishing at 1:30am China time). Must be devasting for a Tigers fan, that great hit then that scrum against the feed, what where they thinking! Then deep into sudden death, going for a try out wide when they didn't have the legs instead of being organised and lining up the FG. Then finally that last play as they where throwing it around I'm screaming for someone to get smart and kick it deep into the Roosters in goal. As for Roosters fans, it doesn't get any better all those mistakes have kept them in the hunt!
Cugel
Roar Rookie
I didn't have a dog in this fight, couldn't care less about either of 'em really, but even I was yelling when Anasta pulled out that fg.
Sam H
Roar Pro
There have definitely been a few painful ones recently. Bad late season losses to the Knights cost us finals spots in 2004 and 2007. Ditto Eels and Titans in 2009. Those bloody Souths games in 2009 and 2010, and now this. Not to mention a bunch of extremely tight wins this year. They certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm just glad I'm young enough not to have to worry about my ticker...although, at this rate...
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
I've lost my voice, my sofa has a good size dent in it from jumping up and down on it, and at 20 years old, I think I was pretty close to a heart attack! That game was right up there as one of the happiest moments of my life. I'll remember that one for a long long time. My heart was still thumping with excitement well after Kenny-Dowell scored that winning try. What. A. Game. Great article Sam.
JVGO
Guest
Really nicely written Sam H. Really made me wish I was there.
Whites
Guest
Yeah. It would have been nice if they could have finished the 3rd 40 minute period.
M1tch
Roar Guru
As a neutral viewer I wanted it to go on more haha Agree on the crowd though, everyone was living off every play, amazing game!
Xyzzy Frobozz
Guest
I have an admission to make. After staying up in Melbourne until after midnight for the game to start (sporting capital of the World?), and going through the emotional roller coaster that was that game, I confess to just wanting it to end. Never have I seen a game that had made me so stressed, so nervous, so on the edge of my seat. On more than one occasion I thought of bringing up the results on my iPhone to put myself out of my misery! Is it just me, or do the Tigers always seem to be on the wrong end of the scoreboard in these epic games? Think Parramatta last year, '89 GF, and just about every bloody close game with South Sydney....