Both sides tried their utmost to score a much-needed win at CommBank Stadium on Saturday afternoon and the Wests Tigers and Dolphins also did everything possible to throw the match away.
After 70 minutes of momentum swings and lead changes, the scores were locked at 22-22 and each side looked just as likely to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory, and vice versa.
It looked like the Dolphins would win when Jamayne Isaako booted a field goal in the 75th minute to break the deadlock but the Tigers regained possession from a short kick-off and were awarded a penalty for dragging a tackled player over the sideline.
And Api Koroisau teed the ball up a metre from the sideline, more than 30 metres out, and the stand-in goal-kicker nailed the conversion which just had enough oomph to be helped over the black and gold dot by bouncing off the crossbar for a 24-23 triumph.
Although he is still officially the assistant until next year, incoming head coach Benji Marshall was calling the shots for the Tigers and their long-suffering fans hope this win can be the start of a new era under their premiership-winning star.
With the departing and disgruntled Tim Sheens officially still head coach until season’s end, Marshall won’t be credited with his maiden win as an NRL head coach.
“It’s not about me, to be honest,” Marshall said after only being thrust into the hot seat for the final three rounds on Thursday.
“I’m still the assistant coach. The bosses sent me to get practice for next year, to see what it’s like and owning these duties.
“This three weeks is about us finishing off as a club how we want to finish and today we just needed it, as a result.
“We’ve been there or thereabouts for a few weeks now but we just couldn’t get over the line.
“So to have the skipper step up from the sideline, 30 out and knock it over with a bit of drama and get the end result, we needed it.
“It was a crazy finish and to see the boys get rewarded – and being amongst it – after only three wins, we needed it.”
Koroisau revealed he’d had a bet with teammate Brandon Wakeham only two days ago that he’d kick a goal from the “exact spot”.
“So, yeah, I knew when the call came down to back myself so I thought I’d take the kick,” he said.
“As soon as it came off the boot, my head was down straight away because I was praying. I knew it wasn’t the best strike so thankfully it went over.”
Incredibly, the hapless joint venture side hadn’t tasted success since romping to a record 66-18 win over North Queensland in round 12.
The victory, which sent the near-10,000 home fans at CommBank Stadium into raptures, also offers the Tigers a glimmer of hope of avoiding a second straight wooden spoon.
They still must beat the Sydney Roosters and Manly in their remaining two games and sweat on St George Illawarra losing to Melbourne, the Warriors and Newcastle to avert another last-place finish.
But with Marshall taking the reins a year earlier than had been planned, suddenly the Tigers faithful have reason to believe.
For the injury-hit Dolphins, it was a bitterly disappointing defeat.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the 13th minute through a converted try to young forward Fonua Pole but the Dolphins equalised when Isaako continued his season of career revival.
It was 12-6 to Wests midway through the first half when Asu Kepaoa touched down but their lead was cut to two a few minutes later when second-rower Euan Aitken crossed the stripe.
Tesi Niu is tackled. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)
The Dolphins went 14-12 up early in the second half when rookie centre Jack Bostock soared high to collect a bomb but the Tigers responded when Alex Seyfarth barged over for a rare try from close range.
When the hosts went 22-14 ahead after hooker Jake Simpkin darted over, they were in prime pouncing position for a win after 10 straight losses.
But they were unable to get their claws on debutant fullback Trai Fuller, who jinked past a few defenders for the 26-year-old journeyman to celebrate his maiden NRL appearance with a highlight play.
And when the Tigers gave away a penalty in possession with a needless obstruction infraction, Isaako levelled up the scores with a penalty goal.
Then the drama and excitement really unfolded in a showdown otherwise featuring two bottom-eight sides long out of the finals race.
The Dolphins went into the clash without suspended forward Ray Stone while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Connelly Lemuelu and Kenny Bromwich were ruled out after they copped head knocks in the loss to the Roosters last week while Jeremy Marshall-King is again unavailable due to his nagging shoulder problem.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
That makes sense, but would they have still been needed with the fact that there were only 4 teams left, or was it a matter of a minimum turnaround before the venues were released?
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Pretty sure Leichhardt and Campbelltown were still unavailable as they were World Cup training venues
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
It's great that Bennett defended his players and for sure, it was a line ball call, but he must have also been filthy his players put themselves in the position where this sort of decision could be made. I'm guessing he'll use this is an example in the coming months to teach his squad about not giving up silly penalties. I'm also hoping this sort of ticky tack free kick doesn' decide a game in the finals
matth
Roar Guru
Yeah I’m basically saying they actually didn’t drag him over the edge to give away the penalty but they were certainly doing their best. It wasn’t clever
Rellum
Roar Guru
No Sailor, we haven't been great since Paix has come back and taken the number 9 jersey forcing Mozer to the bench. Worries me the boys didn't like the pressure of needing to win to get the minor premiership. Then again they might have been thinking of next game
Nat
Roar Guru
What happened to your boys last night? Capras going ok but wasn't expecting that. No Sailor?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Just saw a replay of the final penalty, that is a joke of a call. Horrible.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Great to see Trey get a game, he should have long before this.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Listening to the radio(which I find frustrating now as it always seems like the team you want to win never has the ball) Redcliffe was outright horrible with the ball. Phins have relied on the backups for far too long this season. If the top 17 had played most of the season I think they make the 8. You couldn't afford injuries and there have been so many
Nat
Roar Guru
I had to watch the replay this morning myself. I was wondering why the penalty was given when no flag went up. Penalised for trying to drag him out? Hope Fuller (the 26-year-old, one club "journeyman") gets another shot. I think Kodi is better at #6 or #14.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Can't help but feel Te Whare would have caused some carnage on that Tiger's left To be suddenly ranked below Jennings, Bostock and Niu is a kick in the teeth.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I guess that tackle that resulted in the penalty, when seen through the eyes of a Dolphins supporter might seem unlucky and certainly Wayne thought so, but as someone who had only a passing interest in the result, I thought it was a reasonable call. It's fair to say both teams were playing for pride more than anything else and even though the Dolphins didn't get the 2 points, they didn't lose any fans either. A really gutsy effort from an understrength side.
matth
Roar Guru
Third loss by a point this season for the Dolphins. The final play was dumb all round. Really smart kick off, needless drag but when the ref called held the player was still in the field and the Dolphins had just about stopped their pointless dragging effort. Normally we would just see a play the ball. But then the Tigers player stupidly throws the ball from the ground. That used to be a penalty but these days it’s generally just hand the ball back and play on. Instead it’s a penalty even though the Dolphins didn’t actually infringe - not for want of trying, they just hadn’t managed to actually drag the guy far enough. So unlucky penalty but due to dumb play. Then Api steps up, Mishima the kick a little bit it still limps over. Happy for the Tigers, they’ve been putting in effort this past month and getting better. The Dolphins keep finding ways to compete and then lose. 6 or 7 Dolphins out. Good debut for Fuller and JJ Collins had his best game. Josh Kerr had a good one. SOS looked at his best since his injury lay off. Herman let us down and the backline looked like the makeshift group that it was.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Side point: did Tigers management really think that that game was going to draw a crowd too big for Campbelltown or Leichardt to accommodate?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Congrats Tigers and well done Api. Changed my tip to Dolphins at the last instant when Brooks was out, would have been a great change too but for some shocking ill discipline at the end, and discipline from Wayne was another reason for the change.. No need for that penalty and Wayne would be livid, I certainly wasn't impressed. Add a flucky kick and that's how it falls sometimes.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Well done Tigers, good to see the players turned up despite all the off field malarkey. Let's hope they can turn it up against the chooks next week.
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Well done, Tigers. That was a morale boosting win. Happy for the Tigers fans who turned up to support their team. Hard luck, Dolphins. Trai had a very good debut game.