The Wests Tigers have recorded an important win at ANZ Stadium, downing the Canterbury Bulldogs by 6 points in an ANZAC Weekend thriller.
The Tigers started the better side, and had a try disallowed somewhat controversially in the sixth minute after Michael Chee-Kam was ruled to be offside on a kick chase.
It wouldn’t matter though, as the Tigers were in not four minutes later through Nofoaluma.
The Tigers had the Bulldogs shot on the right side, and a brilliant ball from James Tedesco sent the winger over in the corner untouched.
Mitchell Moses put the conversion over for a 6-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Dogs to respond, as Montoya showed good strength to score off an early ball from Josh Morris.
Kerrod Holland matched Mitchell Moses’ efforts from the sideline, and the Dogs were right back in the contest.
The rest of the first half was an arm wrestle, with the only addition to the scoreline a couple of penalty goals for the Tigers.
Tedesco did almost score in the shadow of halftime, but he was held up just shy of the line.
The Bulldogs came out with a purpose from the half time sheds, and it wasn’t long before they hit back.
A crazy lead up saw the ball go to both sides of the field, before a clever sequence of passing set Kerrod Holland down the right sideline.
The try was originally sent up as No Try, but the bunker determined that Holland had skipped out of the attempted tackle before a double movement, and the green lights were shown.
The Bulldogs would take the lead in the 54th minute through a penalty goal, and it looked for a while that that would be how the scoreline stayed.
However, the game turned the way of the Tigers in the 68th minute.
Chris Lawrence was denied a try scoring opportunity by Brenko Lee on a kick chase, and Lee would be sent for ten in the bin for his troubles.
Mitchell Moses would level the score at 12 with the subsequent penalty, but the real damage was already done.
The Tigers could tell they had a sniff at that point, and Mitchell Moses almost potted a field goal with about 8 minutes remaining.
The Dogs also had their chances, but a brain snap from Greg Eastwood on the third tackle ended their hopes for a victory.
Despite being well within range of a field goal attempt, the Bulldogs second rower put a grubber in that was no danger to the Tigers defence.
The Tigers would score off the subsequent set, as a Luke Brooks kick took a friendly bounce off Josh Jackson for Kevin Naiqama to score under the posts.
The Dogs did have one final opportunity to tie it up, but Brett Morris couldn’t hold on to a tap back on the final kick of the day, and the Tigers held on 18-12.
Final score
Wests Tigers 18
Canterbury Bulldogs 12
Silvertail47
Guest
Woods is first pick
The Barry
Roar Guru
He was good a couple of years ago but went off the boil a bit in attack. He seems to be moving a lot more freely and changing direction better so maybe he's had a niggle or two? He's a fit bugger though. He plays the 80 pretty much every week. He's always the bloke getting across in cover and is back taking the first hit up from a kick more often than not.
andrew
Guest
Some belief that they want to go with Graham to lock and move Frizell out to the back row with Jackson on the other side. I get trying to get Frizell running a little wider, but I wouldn't mess with the Maloney/Graham combination on the left side attack. I agree, Jackson's attack is much better this year.
andrew
Guest
I don't know Eastwood but he has played plenty of high stakes matches and I can't recall him having a brain explosion like that before. Which does lend itself to the question, was he a bit concussed? His head clearly whacked a players knee in that tackle which he eventually came off for a HIA check on, but to come back on and make such a random and poor decision beggers belief.
souvalis
Guest
Tamou only played 33 mins,Merrin playing like he's injured..I'd take the biggest and meanest,both Raiders,Klemmer and probably R.James..haven't got any impactful memories of Fifita in Origin,still to have a real good game thus far for the Sharkies..
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tamou no chance, he's lucky to crack 100 metres at the moment. I had Merrin pencilled in at 13 preseason but he hasn't done himself many favours.
The Barry
Roar Guru
If I were a selector I wouldn't pick any of the four I mentioned at 13. I reckon they're all capable of filling in there if there's injury but I'd play a genuine middle third forward there - there's plenty of them too. So I think there's two starting spots and one bench spot for Cordner, Jackson, Graham and Frizell. The 8, 10, 13 and two bench spots to a combo of Woods, Fifita, Klemmer, Jurbo, Boyd, Paulo, Vaughan, James, JDB...and maybe someone Ive forgotten. Whoever they select it should be a strong pack.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I'd say Tamou is little chance. Currently behind Fifita, Boyd, Woods, Klemmer, Vaughan. Even Ryan James. There's certainly some in-form players there. With Matt Scott's injury it wouldn't surprise me to see Fifita starting with Woods in the ANZAC Test.
kingcowboy
Guest
If I was a NSW selector, I go mobile with the pack n leave Woods out. If Fifita keeps his head on, go with just him n Tamou.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Throw in Trbojevic and you have 5 seriously in form backrowers for 3 spots. Plus with Mal likely to show loyalty to Merrin for the ANZAC Test, Daley and Sterlo will have a headache at the selection table A good headache. It's going to be a seriously top shelf forward pack running out for Game 1.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought it was a pretty scrappy game overall. Both teams defended reasonably well. That was one of the worst plays I've ever seen from Eastwood. It was a terrible idea and woefully executed. It will be interesting to see if there are any ramifications for him. 12-12 and a man down, Moses missed his FG shot giving the Dogs a seven tackle set at the perfect time. Third tackle they'd made it to the Tigers 40. A couple of hit ups into the middle and they're perfectly placed for a FG shot of their own. Reynolds has iced plenty in his time, Mbye has hit a couple and I'd be surprised if Frawley didn't have a decent shot on him plus he's a left footer. Eastwood's play was completely unacceptable for a player of his experience. I thought Woods was good for the Tigers and was impressed with McIlwrick. Elijah Taylor has one of the best defensive techniques of any player in the last decade or so. Jackson was outstanding for the Dogs. He's one of the best one on one defenders in the comp but his attack is better than it's been in the last couple of seasons. He's hitting holes again and ball playing. Anyone who thinks he's an ordinary player is kidding themselves. It will be interesting to see what the Blues selectors do. Jackson, Graham, Cordner and Frizell all deserve to be picked but I think there's only room for three in the 17.
Dragons Forever
Guest
Dogs should have won that game. Not sure what to think for 2017 for the doggies. What was Eastwood thinking with 5 mins to go kicking on the 3rd straight to Teddy!! Could be in big trouble if they get a few injuries cause their side is close to full strength.