Tigers stun Sea Eagles as NRL wooden spoon battle takes a turn

The Wests Tigers upset the Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday evening at Leichhardt Oval, stunning the seventh-placed side 34-26 to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the NRL wooden spoon.

Heading into the game as $5.40 underdogs at most rugby league bookmakers, the home side made a poor start in front of a packed crowd.

Tries to Jason Saab, Lehi Hopoate and Tom Trbojevic meant the Tigers trailed 16-0 with just 25 minutes up on the clock.

However, just as Manly’s odds of $1.14 were looking accurate, the visitors let themselves down with poor discipline.

A professional foul by Ethan Bullemor was Manly’s first discretion, with the second-rower sent to the sideline at the 35-minute mark.

By this stage, the Tigers had already hit back with two quick scores through Apisai Koroisau and Heath Mason.

When Haumole Olakau’atu was also carded, this time for a controversial high shot, the flood gates opened as Wests crossed another three times in 10 minutes.

From 16-0 down, suddenly the home side led 30-16.

Despite a third yellow card to Manly — Corey Waddell with another high shot — the Sea Eagles launched a comeback that kept the Leichhardt faithful on the edge of their seats.

Back-to-back tries by Trbojevic took the score to 30-26, with the visitors looking likely to break Wests’ hearts late in the second half.

But it was the Tigers who would finish stronger, holding out the Sea Eagles and crossing once more themselves to seal the historic victory 34-26.

Marshall thrilled with victory

Just a day after being admitted to the NRL Hall of Fame, Tigers coach Benji Marshall was delighted with his side’s performance.

“My hair is falling out,” Marshall said after the match.

“The way we started, we had good intent, we just missed our mark defensively.

“But I felt like we were still on top.

“After Api scored, it gave us some confidence and momentum, and from there on, we were pretty solid.

“They’re a great side, the strike they have in their team, they’re pushing for the top four.

“They’re tough to defend, and for us to fight to the death like that in front of our home crowed who have been amazing all year, I told them, ‘I’m so proud’.”

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold was fair in his post-match comments.

“You have to give the Tigers credit,” he said.

“We were outplayed, and our discipline let us down.

“We started really well; we made some fundamental errors.

“I can handle the errors at the end of the game because we were chasing the game.

“But we got what we deserved.”

Pressure on Eels to avoid wooden spoon

The victory takes Wests to 16 points on the NRL ladder, equal with the Parramatta Eels.

Next week, the Tigers have a bye, before facing Parramatta in the final round.

Unless the Eels manage to pull off wins over both the Broncos and Dragons in the next two weeks, round 27 is shaping up to be a riveting wooden spoon decider.

Heading into round 25, NRL bookies had Wests pegged as $1.30 favourites to finish the season with the most losses.

Parramatta, with one defeat fewer at this stage, were paying $3.30, but the market is sure to shift after this week’s results.

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