Wests Tigers
22
Match Complete
St. George Illawarra Dragons
24
| 79 |  | Z. Lomax | ||
| 76 |  | Z. Lomax | ||
| 75 |  | J. Ford | ||
| A. Doueihi | | 66 | ||
| J. Madden | | 65 | ||
| 62 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 61 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 43 | | T. Moga | ||
| T. Freebairn | | 33 | ||
| A. Doueihi | | 26 | ||
| T. Freebairn | | 24 | ||
| A. Doueihi | | 23 | ||
| F. Brown | | 21 | ||
| 7 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 5 | | J. Su'A |
| 4 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 24 of the NRL Premiership continues this afternoon when Wests Tigers host the St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm (AEST).
While I can’t speak for Wests Tigers’ supporters, I imagine expectations were low ahead of last weekend’s game against the Roosters. Still, the manner of their 66-point capitulation at the SCG must have come as a shock.
Sure, the Tigers had nothing to play for except a diminishing chance of avoiding the wooden spoon. But have they no pride? Do they not care about the little things that matter to their supporters? Will they at least turn up to the game this week?
They’re all legitimate questions after the worst defeat in joint venture history. If there’s any succour, five teams have lost by bigger margins since 1908 and one of those was Western Suburbs back in 1910, the days of three-point tries, heavy leather balls and semi-professionalism. The nascent and historically awful Canterbury team of 1935 also feature twice on that list.
Sorry, but that’s no consolation. Here it is then: the other two teams on that list – Parramatta in 1993 and Cronulla in 2003 – both, like the Tigers, reached their nadir on the second-last weekend of August. Beware the ides of the second-last weekend of August.
It should also be noted that Canterbury rose from the ashes of 1935 to win a premiership in 1938. Canterbury’s coach in ’38 was the great Jimmy Craig, arguably the most gifted player of his era and a premiership winner with both Balmain and Wests. It bodes well for the Benji Marshall era. Hang in there, Tigers fans.
Elsewhere, the Dragons won a bizarre game against the Gold Coast Titans last Sunday. They led 30-26 when Francis Molo was sent-off for a high tackle and, naturally, increased their lead to 20 before the close. Go figure.
In team news, the Dragons have made changes out of necessity. Molo and Moses Mbye are suspended while Andrew McCullough is injured. Jack Bird switches to centre in the absence of Mbye, with Jack De Belin moving to lock and Aaron Woods into the starting team. Jayden Sullivan replaces McCullough at hooker and Tyrell Sloan comes on to the bench.
Wests have made changes because, well, it surely can’t get any worse. Skipper James Tamou is out suspended, with Joe Ofahengaue moving to prop, Fa’amanu Brown to lock and Jake Simpkin returning at hooker. Luke Garner (concussion) and Alex Seyfarth (injury) are out, with Tom Freebairn to make a first NRL start and Kitione Kautoga to make his debut from the bench.
Prediction
The Tigers will show a bit more pride and at least give an ordinary Dragons team a game.
Dragons by 12.
Game Information
Kick-off: 2pm AEST
Venue: CommBank Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Tigers $3.10,Dragons $1.37 – odds via PlayUp
Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Pauga 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Tom Freebairn 12.Kelma Tuilagi 13. Fa’amanu Brown
Interchange: 14. Fonua Pole 15. Austin Dias 16. Jacob Liddle 17. Kitione Kautoga
Dragogns
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jayden Sullivan 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh McGuire 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack De Belin
Interchange: 14. Tyrell Fuimaono 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Jackson Ford 17. Tyrell Sloan
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Yes for the Tigers it's habitual. For the Dragons it's the occasional choke. For Souths it's the finals again. Good Luck.
Rellum
Roar Guru
We don’t want them to feel a bit tired
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
That's a shame no-one wanting it . I just can't come to grips with NRL scheduling . Just imagine Broncos v Parramatta on today. Would have been a sell out plus great tv ratings as it was their last home match . And could have played the ladies as a curtain raiser.
Tony
Roar Guru
Maybe a few of them will ask to be rested
andrew
Roar Rookie
Griffin will probably think that's a successful year.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Well it is "reported" so taking with a grain of salt for now
Redcap
Roar Guru
I usually put my name down for the Dragons game, BD. Pinched it off Arnab, actually. Nobody was interested in doing the Titans-Knights.
JGK
Roar Guru
You could go sideways.
JGK
Roar Guru
Seriously?
Rellum
Roar Guru
You will beat the Broncos. Now there are reports the players are complaining about Kevie giving them a spray after the game.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
Hilarious.
Brendan
Roar Pro
2022 wasn’t our season, Tiger’s faithful. The only way is up!
JGK
Roar Guru
You're being generous using the term "careless".
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not with such dumb players . :crying:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
They served a number of those raw prawns to themselves at the end of the game. The Tigers shot themselves in the foot then reloaded and shot themselves in the foot again.
JGK
Roar Guru
Incredibly, if the Dragons beat the disintegrating Broncos next week, they'll end up 12-12 for the season.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Doueihi should have kicked a FG st the other end before the brainless from the kick restart. Too many mistakes when it mattered by the Tigers with the game in the balance.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Now for the Game of the Round.... Titans and Knights...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Poor Tigers couldn't win Lotto even if they had all the tickets...