The Wests Tigers 18-10 win over Gold Coast Titans on Saturday gave the club’s fans the goosebumps. The victory, which snapped a nine game losing streak, was most welcome. But the way it was achieved, with grit and determination, especially in defence, reminded older fans of the spirit of ’05.
That memorable premiership win was built on exactly the same type of performances, from round one all the way to the famous grand final victory over the Cowboys.
Wests Tigers are not going to win a premiership in 2024, but as for 2025, exactly 20 years since that wonderful day, who knows?
However, there was one disappointing aspect of Saturday’s game: just 8147 people came through the gates, a day after the announcement of a $40m facelift for Leichhardt Oval.
The poor crowd figure didn’t stop the usual suspects from indulging in breathtaking hyperbole about the magical qualities of “the eighth wonder of the world’’.
As some commentators pointed out, the proposed improvements would be like putting lipstick on a pig.
The truth is Leichhardt Oval is the worst ground in the NRL, both in terms of the poor facilities and its lack of aesthetic appeal.
Let’s face it, the only future available to the club, if it is serious about becoming a permanent force is to make Macarthur and South Western Sydney its home.
And the quicker the better.
We’ll see what the crowd is on Sunday against Canberra, whose fans do not travel in numbers, but as it stands, Campbelltown Stadium, has delivered two sold out games so far.
Campbelltown Stadium, located next to a railway station and bus interchange, and with ample car parking, is where funding is needed to provide South Western Sydney, which is the neglected half of Greater Western Sydney, with a stadium fit for the purpose.
In the meantime, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has just named a 22-man squad for Sunday’s Round 16 match against the Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
There are a couple of changes to the side which defeated the Titans with Lachlan Galvin slotting straight back into the halves and Api Koroisau returning to hooker.
Galvin returns to the side at five-eighth after being rested against the Titans, with Aidan Sezer moving to halfback.
Tallyn Da Silva moves to the substitutes bench after filling in for Koroisau at hooker last weekend.
The other change to the starting pack sees Fonua Pole move from second row to prop in a swap with Reuben Porter who will start as an edge forward.
Campbelltown junior Kit Laulilii has been called into the 17 for the first time this season after making his NRL debut in Round 27 last year.
The only other change is to the backline where Brent Naden moves into the centres and Solomona Faataape pushes out to the wing.
Adam Doueihi is again in the extended squad after making his long-awaited return from injury in the NSW Cup last weekend.
Doueihi is one of 10 local juniors in the 22-man squad as the club prepares for its Junior League Appreciation Round match against the Raiders on Sunday.
TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Solomona Faataape
3. Brent Naden
4. Justin Olam
5. Charlie Staines
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Reuben Porter
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Justin Matamua
INTERCHANGE:
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Sione Fainu
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Kit Laulilii
RESERVES:
18. Heath Mason
