Come sit, pour yourself a drink and reminisce with me about 2005, the year of the tiger.
Firstly, the Wests Tigers finished ninth the year before, which would later become their niche. They lost their final three games of the season when they literally needed one win to secure themselves a spot in the finals. Unfortunately they went into Round 24 needing one win out of three games but the wheels just fell off.
However, comparing that to the previous season, it was a step in the right direction.
But what would take place the following year is the definition of a miracle.
Tim Sheens remained with the luckless Tigers after receiving the job, the same job Craig Bellamy turned down in 2003. Undeterred, Sheens would change the game for his club and for all of rugby league.
The Tigers lacked size and were failing to secure any names. Sheens decided to rely mostly on the one thing the club did have – speed – and there was more than enough of that.
The 2005 Tigers are remembered for a having a very flamboyant offensive strategy.
At the time, these boys were not huge household names but you’ll never forget that spine: Brett Hodgson, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Robbie Farah.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
This spine will forever be etched in rugby league history.
The Wests Tigers went from never making the finals to finishing fourth.
In the first week of the finals, the Tigers beat the Cowboys 50-6. In the second, they beat the Broncos 34-6. In the third, they beat the Dragons 20-12. And in the grand final, they beat the Cowboys 30-16.
Voted the second greatest try in history is obviously the greatest pass ever thrown: Marshall’s flick pass to Pat Richards.
The audacity to even attempt that pass in a grand final is extremely brave (or cocky), but for it to land and lead to a try is actual magic. What a flex.
Richards still had some work to do to finish that try but the hardest part was already completed and the rest is history.
The 2005 Wests Tigers gave us an incredible game with a likeable bunch and did it while starting off 150-1 underdogs.
Bravo, we’ll never forget.
ChildishHambino
Roar Rookie
Players can mate mistakes and it's a highlight for years to come, example: Ben Hunt in the 2015 grand final. This was an error. But what Benji did was a master stroke, not luck, not panic. This man knew what he was doing during a time 99% of us would've crumbled under the pressure.
Shane
Roar Pro
Watched them beat the dogs 37-36 that year at Homebush around Easter, back when you could win comps playing attacking footy. Glory days.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Mate, this is a good article. You’re right : really, really good spine. Would I say their offensive play was flamboyant? I’m sold - I’ll buy it. And Benji’s flick pass : the confidence; the instinct germinated from countless hours of mucking about with a ball since childhood; the sheer aggression and ruthless intent it embodied. Has there been something like it since when it really mattered? Not that I can recall. Keep ‘em coming champion.
Paul
Roar Guru
As a rusted on Dragons fan, it great to read about a team that dared to win a premiership by playing some terrific attacking footy. I was obviously sad when the Tigers beat my boys in the finals that year, but the display they turned on in the GF made me forget about it - for a little while anyway. A good first piece CH and and nice to have some happy thoughts on a Monday morning.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
It was a miracle, and they played some of the best attacking football since the days of the Canterbury 'Entertainers' of the late 70s. It's a shame Scott Prince left, they weren't the same after that.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
The 2005 Tigers were a great team to watch. Have a look at their finals games . They basically flogged every one . As a Cows fan the GF was disappointing at the time but as a footy fan you just Had to stand and applaud.