Wests Tigers have avoided a club record-equalling losing streak with a 26-10 win over Cronulla to end forgettable seasons for the NRL clubs.
On a wet and gloomy afternoon at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, the Tigers scored 22 unanswered points in the second half to end a six-match losing run – one shy of their worst streak.
Embattled Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter had earlier told Triple M that some within the club “haven’t been rowing in the same direction” this year, and they certainly started the final-round clash that way.
After young halfback Mitchell Moses scored the opening try from a stabbed-through kick from his skipper, Robbie Farah, the Tigers fumbled, bumbled and generally looked uninterested.
The Sharks, whose woes have surpassed even those at the Tigers, capitalised with two tries from winger Valentine Holmes to steer them to a 10-4 lead at halftime – only the fifth time this season the Sharks had led at the break.
However, the Tigers came to life in the second half. Fullback Blake Austin played a big part in their revival before leaving the field with an ankle injury and 20 minutes remaining.
Bodene Thompson darted over from dummy-half in the 45th minute and Curtis Sironen bulldozed his way over either side of Austin’s 90-metre intercept try to open up a 20-10 advantage.
The Sharks had pushed the in-form North Queensland to golden point on Monday night but they ran out of steam, and Thompson’s second four-pointer in the 67th minute sealed the comfortable victory.
The result meant Cronulla capped their wooden-spoon season with their sixth consecutive defeat.
The match marked the first time a woman had officiated in an NRL game when Belinda Sleeman ran out as one of the touch judges.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hopefully they hold on to Potter. It would be a shame to lose him without someone better.
The eye
Guest
Talk about buys of the year,how good has Bodene been for the Tigers this year..different player completely to the struggler he was at the Titans..Lodge will be a starter in the front row next year,and how good does Chris Lawrence look when he just tucks the ball under his arm and takes off...shame about the off field stuff..
yewonk
Guest
I agree with you one guy boasting how long he has been on the board how many years have they stuggled how many coaches has he sacked , the club is a mess and it lies squarley at the board get rid of them and try the nrl approach.
AdelaideWill
Guest
Fantastic to see Belinda Sleeman running the line., hope to see her in the middle next year.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Funny, the media talk about all these dinosaurs holding rugby league back yet are the first to give them a voice "NRL steamrolled us...." which just goes to show the media don't give a sh!t about rugby league and it's all about selling papers, setting people, fans against each other. If they were truly concerned for the game, those recent quotes from the ex Tigers board would not have seen light of day. Time to go FORWARD Tigers.
Old school
Guest
I see the Balmain side is sooking again and trying to hang on to their control. Aren't these the same people who ran the joint into the ground, piled up debts and then sold it off for a dodgy development? If they can't pay their way what do they expect?
Ronald M
Guest
I though that the Tigers were poor in this game, easily their worst performance all year.