The Raiders once again flex their muscle as they put the Tigers to the sword, 52-10. The Tigers were utterly destroyed this afternoon in front of their Leichhardt faithful.
That means the Titans will play in the finals and deservedly so. The Sharks meanwhile must now travel to Canberra to beat a Raiders team that is firing on all cylinders. A big ask.
Click here for the full match report
Final Score:
Raiders – 52
Tigers – 10
The Wests Tigers will secure a place in next week’s finals series if they defeat the Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval today. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm AEST.
With the Titans falling to the Cowboys last night, the Tigers will secure the eighth finals spot on the NRL ladder with victory against the Raiders.
Anything less than victory, however, will condemn the Tigers to a premature end to another promising, yet frustrating, NRL season.
With everything to play for, expect the hosts to give their all against a genuine premiership threat this afternoon.
The Raiders are arguably the best attacking team in the NRL and won’t make things easy for a Tigers side prone to leaking plenty of points.
Tigers coach Jason Taylor will be keen for his troops to replicate the solid defensive performance that Wests produced against the Cowboys a few weeks ago.
Anything less than a complete defensive performance and the Raiders will pounce, particularly if Jarrod Croker and Jordan Rapana are allowed to fire.
With the Raiders having already secured a top four birth, coach Ricky Stuart may also opt to rest some key players ahead of what will be a gruelling finals series.
Raiders half Aiden Sezer should be expected to sit out today’s contest which will leave Canberra without their starting halves pairing, given Blake Austin’s absence.
Having been given a lifeline by the Cowboys, the Tigers should be expected to take full advantage of a great opportunity, with the possibilty to make their first finals series since 2011.
A win today will see them travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos next week.
Judging from last week’s terrific victory against the Warriors away from home, the Tigers possess the confidence and belief necessary to sneak into the top eight.
Tigers by 8
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree Joe, they deserve their spot.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Hooray for the Titans!! So happy they made it to the eight this year. They have been a really gutsy team!
Hesketh
Guest
Oh well next year
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Raiders put 112 on the Kiities , equal third H&A lopsidedness, the hapless 1935 Berries providing one and two.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I think you'll find it will be Sunday afternoon. 10 day turnaround, would somebody please think of the Broncos...
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Poor Wayne. That few days of waiting must have been so hard. I'm sure in the ensuing confusion and chaos that he forgot to organise a recovery session for the team. The NRL have treated the Broncos disgustingly. Heads will roll.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Wayne will get Friday night against the Titans.
Jacko
Guest
Should have had Farah in the team. Could not have been worse. Lacked leadership on and off the field. Coach should be sacked
Alan
Roar Guru
The finals as follows: Raiders vs Sharks Storm vs Cowboys Broncos vs Titans Bulldogs vs Panthers
Alan
Roar Guru
The Raiders once again flex their muscle as they put the Tigers to the sword, 52-10. The Tigers were utterly destroyed this afternoon in front of their Leichhardt faithful. That means the Titans will play in the finals and deservedly so. The Sharks meanwhile must now travel to Canberra to beat a Raiders team that is firing on all cylinders. A big ask. DALLY M POINTS: Josh Hodgson - Once again the spark for Canberra in attack. Setting up two tries and scoring one of his own in a dynamic first half Joseph Leilua - Scored a try to cap off a terrific afternoon where he produced one of the best offloads you will see to set up Rapana's first half try. Also ran for over 130 metres. Josh Papalii - Scored a first half double and always a threat with the footy. The complete forward.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
No suspensions for the Sharks. Paulo is out with injury. So no major injuries there. I didn't see this whole game. Is anyone other than Wighton on report? Do they have major injury issues from this game?
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Tigers 10 Raiders 52
Joe
Roar Rookie
Like I said last week, Raiders are in red hot form and wouldn't want to meet up with them in the first week of finals. Sharks have a tough game next week in Canberra and the tough game yesterday wouldn't have helped their cause. Injury and suspension will play a big part for both teams.
Alan
Roar Guru
Raiders with crisp passing down the right and Soliola in space grubbers ahead for Williams to score! Gee the Green Machine will win the premiership this year or the next. The time is now for Canberra. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Tigers 10 Raiders 52
Zedman
Roar Rookie
They look sharp, but the Tigers have overachieved.
Planko
Guest
Imagine without Ennis. I think the Sharks got a break there.
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS Tigers 10 Raiders 50
Planko
Guest
Well the NRL is happy olde Sydney team out. The team they own in.
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - How do the Sharks go about stopping the most lethal team in the NRL? Big challenge for Cronulla. The Titans meanwhile face a tough battle against the Broncos but I feel that the Gold Coast are a chance... Tigers 10 Raiders 46
eagleJack
Roar Guru
With Ennis escaping any charge, Wighton will be fine. Otherwise there will be riots in the streets re: inconsistency. I think every neutral will be on the Raiders next week anyway. Exciting team to watch.