The Wests Tigers took on the last-place Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon in a near must-win game to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Tigers copped criticism during the week, which they have become accustomed to.
This time it came after their shocking loss against a decimated-with-injuries Warriors side who had one of the worst line-ups on the day in NRL history.
The Tigers had a well below average second half, which let the NZ team take a two-point win.
When Wests came up against Canterbury yesterday, both teams were playing high-tempo footy to start, which led the scoreline to be a try apiece.
Then through a few Bulldogs errors, the Tigers were able to cross the line twice as Ken Maumalo had a first-half double with one of the two tries being a superb kick in the air from Luke Brooks for the high jumping Maumalo.
Despite the Tigers’ two-try lead they had been making very silly errors throughout the half, which became one too many as the Dogs were able to finally capitalise off the opposition’s error and score and head into the halftime break with momentum.
Both sides had a shaky first half with plenty of sloppy footy, especially from the Tigers, who had a 65 per cent completion rate, which is certainly not up to coach Michael Maguire’s standards.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
This type of footy continued into the start of the second period from both sides, however it was Maguire’s team that was able to capitalise from the mistakes first and take a comfortable 14-point lead.
The Bulldogs had one of their best opportunities of the game a few minutes later but were sabotaged by Jack Hetherington’s fuse as he simply just pushed an opponent to the ground without the ball and was penalised, although he was lucky to be not sent to the bin.
About ten minutes later the Tigers were continuing to make mistakes, and this time it proved costly as Corey Allan was able to show signs of life for his team when he scored in the corner in the 64th minute.
The Bulldogs were playing great footy off the back of that try and were able to get into great field position with less than ten minutes remaining but failed to come up with points as they made a crucial mistake.
With the game almost wrapped up the Bulldogs had insult added to injury as Jack Hetherington committed a second offence, this time being a high tackle and he was not able to escape the sin bin this time around.
At full time the Wests Tigers were able to survive and get away with a 28-16 win. With those two points registered in their account, they now still have an unlikely chance to make the eight, which is a task the club hasn’t succeeded in doing for the past ten years.
In conclusion the Tigers currently sit two games outside the eight but of course if they want to play finals footy, they would probably have to win every one of their next games and then have other games go their way.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! The Chocolate Soldiers !
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Love the black and GOLD Albo. They can shove the orange to a place we can't mention in case anyone under 50 is reading. Always loved the Balmain jumper. The wife's family is penrith through and through, so now the pennies are back on top ,Gail is interested in footy again so I'm getting pressured to jump ship for the finals. They have to go back to the real Penrith jumper to win a title. Brown and white.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Come Birdy , you can't go past that brilliant Balmain jumper ! The real Tigers spirit. Not like these Tigpies or Maggers ! :silly:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Run home, 3 losses one possible win, prediction 14th or 15th. Round 22: Cowboys (A) LOSS Round 23: Sharks (H) LOSS Round 24: Panthers (A) BIG LOSS Round 25: Bulldogs (H) EACHWAY
Christo
Roar Guru
Yeah its smart marketing, however not great for authors who can their words changed up
EagleWal
Roar Rookie
They need page hits.... I only clicked to see what malarkey was being spouted as they have no hope. I doubt I would have clicked on Tigers keep dream alive....
Christo
Roar Guru
Completely right mate
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
To answer the headline……. They would need to win this weekend if they are any chance. Consistency has avoided them this season, so can’t see them overhauling the points differential on the ladder.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Looked awesome on 1970s footy cards.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I think the crowd says no as well - mind you they have the Cowboys, Sharks and Bulldogs in the next 4 weeks - all very winnable games - surely not - but maybe .... if other results fall their way By the way does anyone know where BJ Leilua is? He hasn't played for weeks
Birdy
Roar Rookie
It was fun watching them play in the mud plus I always thought North's and Newtown had the best jerseys.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I like the tall germophobe woman :laughing:
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The relief must be immense. Once the writing is on the wall a coach may as well try to enjoy his last weeks.
Tony
Roar Guru
I actually have the DVDS somewhere. My favourites are Lou and Andy
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
The clips are on YouTube, my friend.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Ha ha, memories! Who could forget a typical Norths-Newtown blockbuster of around 1977?
Christo
Roar Guru
Yeah Duncan as always :laughing:
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Watching the tigers over the last few seasons is like 40+ years ago watching North's play the ABC Saturday game. In those days clubs had to pay the network to be in tv. Sorry ,no finals for the tigers in the next few years.
Tony
Roar Guru
:crying:
Nick Psaros
Guest
I'm a Tigers supporter, have been for years. This year's team is worse than the previous few years teams. Their discipline is poor, they have very few players in their squad that would get a start anywhere else. They will finish where they deserve to finish, around 12th. Until they start recruiting decent players, they are going nowhere unfortunately