Sunday’s game at Campbelltown Stadium against the Dragons was a great opportunity for Wests Tigers to cement their support in outer South Western Sydney.
The biggest crowd in almost 20 years, 17,141, was in the house, the weather was perfect, and the Tigers were hosting a bottom four team – with apologies to our Dragons friends.
And how does Benji Marshall’s team respond: with a pathetic performance, that’s how.
And that was the most disappointing thing about Sunday for Wests Tigers fans, watching their team go through the motions for almost 80 minutes before meekly capitulating to a team that didn’t play that much better.
There was no energy from Wests Tigers, no hunger, and let’s be brutally honest here: no pride in the jersey nor respect for the thousands of working class people who paid their hard earned to bear witness to such rubbish.
It was really funny to be watching a game and wishing an 18 year old kid with just three games under his belt was out there ripping in for the home side.
And no doubt Lachlan Galvin would have done just that.
He has been selected at five-eighth for Saturday clash with Penrith at Bathurst after missing two matches through suspension.
Hopefully the side lifts for that game or it could be a massacre on the scoreboard.
Galvin is one of several players returning to the side who missed last weekend’s 24-12 loss to the Dragons.
John Bateman (HIA protocol) slots straight back into the second row, pushing Alex Seyfarth to the bench.
Brent Naden will make his first NRL appearance since round 18 last season, replacing Solomona Faataape in the centres.
Samuela Fainu (HIA protocol) returns to the side as an interchange forward after suffering a head knock in Round 5 against the Dolphins.
Latu Fainu will make just his second NRL appearance, wearing the No.14 jersey, after being rested (hamstring) against the Dragons.
Sione Fainu, the eldest of the three brothers at the club, has been included in the extended squad.
Round 7, Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers, 3pm, Saturday, April 20, Carrington Park, Bathurst.
TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Charlie Staines
3. Brent Naden
4. Justin Olam
5. Junior Tupou
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. John Bateman
13. Fonua Pole
INTERCHANGE:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Alex Twal
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Samuela Fainu
