The Wests Tigers NRLW season came to a gallant end at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday night with a 6-0 loss to the Canberra Raiders.
It was history in the making for the Wests Tigers with the NRLW team making their first finals appearance since entering the competition in 2023.
The match also marked the 50th NRLW game for inspirational Wests Tigers captain Kezie Apps.
Almost 3000 fans rolled in the turnstiles, most of them Wests Tigers supporters, for the first semi final at Campbelltown Stadium since the mid-1990s with Western Suburbs Magpies teams.
The Tigers made 70 more tackles than the Raiders in the first half to trail 4-0 at the break which took its toll in attack in the second half.
The key moments
14 min: Tigers player Shenai Lendill placed on report for a crusher tackle.
16 min: Tigers captain Kezie Apps knocks a grubber kick over the dead ball line.
17 min: The Raiders capitalise on a wealth of possession to catch the Tigers short for winger Isabella Waterman to score in the corner. Zehara Temara fails to convert. Raiders 4-0.
24 min: A short chip kick on the last from half-back Raecene McGregor gets the Tigers a repeat set after the team made almost 50 extra tackles than Canberra in the opening 20 minutes.
Second half, 42 min: Tigers centre Rikeya Horne leaves the field for a HIA.
48th min: Zahara Temara converts penalty goal. Raiders 6-0
64 min: A kick from Tigers five-eighth Losana Lutu goes uncontested.
65 min: Apps steals the ball only for Holli Wheeler to drop it with time running out.
Although beaten, the Tigers can be very proud of their season that saw them finish fourth under new coach Craig Sandercock.
“To the girls’ credit, they tried hard and defended so well. I’m surprised it was that close. I couldn’t be more proud,’’ said Sandercock afterwards.
“Our skipper played her 50th NRLW game, and she was a massive force tonight.
“There are a lot of positives to take out of it. We’re very disappointed tonight, but overall, couldn’t be happier with the girls and how they went.’’
Captain Kezie Apps said the disappointment of losing a semi final would make the team hungrier heading into next year.
“Taking a step back to see how far we’ve come from last year to this year, I’m incredibly proud of the group,’’ she said.
