FT: Tigers 26
Sharks 10
The Tigers overcome a first-half deficit to keep the Sharks scoreless in the second term. The win snaps the Tigers losing streak, and provides their fans one last positive memory from 2014.
Wests Tigers too strong in the second half. Sharks brave but a short turnaround after going to Townsville is always hard. Tigers potential still there amid the gloom at Leichhardt – I hope Potter is still there in 2015; he deserves it. He’s done a good job of cleaning out the joint and rebuilding a footy team in the face of limited funds and off field instability not of his creation. Let him finish the task of developing the side.
The curtain has been drawn over 2014 for the Tigers and the Sharks. Both teams will be keen to see the back of this campaign and rebuild in the off-season.
Thanks for joining The Roar’s live blog coverage.
Enjoy your evening.
In what has been a tumultuous year for both the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks, today’s game is the chance to play for pride and put a miserable 2014 behind them. Join The Roar from 3:00pm (AEST) for live coverage of this final round fixture.
Drug testing, bubbling, contract backflips, feuds, player mutinies, amazing wins and baffling losses: the 2014 campaign has been a strange old year for both the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers.
Both sides have been crippled by injuries throughout the year – the Tigers have lost virtually their entire backline while the Sharks have lost just about everyone.
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And even in the darkest hour both sides have unearthed some raw talent that have the potential to be game-breakers in coming seasons.
Valentine Holmes, Mitchell Moses, Sosaia Feki and Matthew Lodge among others have burst onto the NRL scene.
The Tigers are coming off a 13-point loss to the Raiders, and will be keen to put that performance behind them in what “allegedly” could be Mick Potter’s last game in charge.
Whether he remains at the helm beyond this season is still very much in the air.
For their part the Sharks too are coming off a loss. They impressed everyone with their will and tenacity against the Cowboys and it was only Jonathon Thurston field goal in golden point that prevented the boys from the shire securing one of their most famous wins.
The Tigers have made just the lone change to the side that lost last start. Corey Paterson comes onto the bench in place of Brenden Santi.
James Shepherd who has done an outstanding job in his role as interim coach for the Sharks has made several changes to his team.
Michael Lichaa and Tinirau Arona have been recalled. Pat Politoni and Junior Roqica drop back to the bench with Penani Manumalealii and Patrice Siolo dropping out of the 17.
Prediction:
With Mad Monday in sight for both of these teams, and in the Sharks case their place as “wooden spooners” for 2014 already signed, sealed and delivered you can be forgiven for thinking that the game won’t be much of a contest.
Yet it’s precisely for that reason of why this game could be a heck of a show. With rumours of a Tiger clean-out, and the Sharks tendency to use the joint-venture club as a feeder club for their NRL team some of the Tigers could be auditioning for their future employers.
In any case the Tigers record over the Sharks is pretty good – they have more recognised first graders in the team and that should be enough to get them home.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
The curtain has been drawn over 2014 for the Tigers and the Sharks. Both teams will be keen to see the back of this campaign and rebuild in the off-season. Thanks for joining The Roar's live blog coverage. Enjoy your evening.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Austin's long range slip and slide was the highlight. Bodine Thompson notched a double, and Sironen crashed over from close range.
Bluebag
Guest
Wests Tigers too strong in the second half. Sharks brave but a short turnaround after going to Townsville is always hard. Tigers potential still there amid the gloom at Leichhardt - I hope Potter is still there in 2015; he deserves it. He's done a good job of cleaning out the joint and rebuilding a footy team in the face of limited funds and off field instability not of his creation. Let him finish the task of developing the side.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
The Tigers overcome a first-half deficit to keep the Sharks scoreless in the second term. The win snaps the Tigers losing streak, and provides their fans one last positive memory from 2014.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Fulltime Tigers 26 Sharks 10
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Sharks knock-it-on to finish the game.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Sironen throws Holmes into the turf. Tigers regain possession deep in Sharks territory. Two minutes to go.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Sosaia Feki runs 75 metres from the scrum swerving everywhere, but Hitchcox showed some speed to run him down and force the winger into the touch.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
That was an entertaining passage of play.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Brooks slices through the line and drops the ball. Tigers 26 Sharks 10
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Fatigue is becoming an issue for the Sharks. Shows how hard backing up from Monday nights can be.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
With no Austin, Curtis Sironen steps up and bangs his conversion over. Tigers 26 Sharks 14
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
TRY Tigers Moses sets up Thompson for his second of the half. Lovely kick from the young half with the ball sitting up perfectly for the back-rower. Tigers 24 Sharks 10
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Some strong defence has forced an error from the Sharks. Around 15 minutes to go.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Paterson drives Gordon over the sideline in a big tackle after Gordon did so well to keep the ball in play. Tigers scrum 10 out.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Michael Lichaa claiming the try, but it's overturned after there was an offside found from the kick. Tigers 20 Sharks 10
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Video ref is called into looking for a try to the Sharks.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Tigers turning it on in that set throwing it around dazzle dazzle stuff. Trouble for the Tigers with Austin going off with what looks like an ankle injury.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
GOAL Tigers, Austin bangs it over to extend their lead. Tigers 20 Sharks 10
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
TRY Tigers, Curtis Sironen powers over from close range but put that down to the efforts of Sauaso Sue who got them down that end.