There were 15,221 fans at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday to watch Wests Tigers demolish Newcastle Knights 42-22.
It was the first win for the club at Campbelltown for almost two years.
But with Wests Tigers returning to the stadium this Saturday to host the 2025 NRL premiers Brisbane Broncos, there’s an opportunity to make it two in a row.
And if there was any doubt the Wests Tigers players look forward to playing in what will become their permanent home from 2029, captain Api Koroisau put it to bed after Sunday’s brilliant performance.
“It was awesome to see the crowd out there,’’ he said.
“We love coming and playing out here, and to finally pay them back with a win and get a standing ovation was lovely,’’ he said.
Plans are in place for fans on the hill to stand instead of sitting down, to make room for more of them on Saturday night against the Broncos.
Given dry weather there’s no doubt we could see more than 17,000 screaming fans help the Tigers get over the line.
Meanwhile, head coach Benji Marshall has named his 22-man squad for the round seven match.
With plenty of wind in their sails after their 20-point win over the Knights, the Tigers will have claws out hunting their fourth-straight victory this season.
Jarome Luai returns from injury and slides straight back into five-eighth alongside halfback Adam Doueihi, shifting Jock Madden to the interchange bench.
Madden, it has to be said, is unlucky. He has played so well during Luai’s absence he deserved a spot somewhere, but 14 is better than left right out.
Taylan May overcomes a shoulder injury to line up in the centres with Patrick Herbert, whilst Sunia Turuva and Heamasi Makasini are named on the wings.
The forward pack remains unchanged after a dominant display last week which saw both Terrell May and Api Koroisau cross the stripe, as well as Alex Twal playing just a few minutes shy of the full 80.
Luke Laulilii returns from suspension on the interchange bench, with Tristan Hope and Tony Sukkar moving to the reserves.
WESTS TIGERS LINEUP:
1.Jahream Bula
2. Faaletino Tavana
3. Taylan May
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Heamasi Makasini
6. Jarome Luai
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau (c)
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
INTERCHANGE:
14. Jock Madden
15. Sione Fainu
16. Royce Hunt
17. Alex Seyfarth
18. Latu Fainu