The Tigers fight to keep themselves in the finals race against a Dragons side that just want the season to be over.
MATCH DETAILS
The Tigers started the match with a try inside the first five minutes. The Dragons were on the attack, when a Ben Hunt – late inclusion for Corey Norman – grubber kick deflected off Luke Brooks. The Tigers half regained possession and nearly scored himself. The next play they pushed the ball out to the wing for Paul Momirovski to cross for his first. The Tigers fell away after that, which gave the Dragons a chance to build into the match. Their first try was scrappy. After a few passes went to ground, Gareth Widdop toed the ball ahead, for the Tigers to spill and Euan Aitken to pounce on the loose ball. Not long after, Widdop kicked a penalty goal to give the Dragons the lead. But the Tigers were able to kick out of their slump and took the lead heading into halftime when Luke Brooks stripped the ball in defence. He backed it up with a perfect kick for Luke Gardner to send them into halftime leading 12-8.
The Tigers began the second half in the same fashion as the first half. The Dragons were deep in attack when Paul Momirovski latched onto a Gareth Widdop pass and raced the length of the field to score his second. The Dragons were quick to respond and cut the deficit when Corey Thompson spilled a Ben Hunt bomb. Gareth Widdop chased through and was the lucky recipient from the Tigers custodian’s error. From here it didn’t get any closer than 18-14 with the Tigers kicking it up another gear in the final 20. Paul Momirovski completed his hattrick, stepping back and beating a few tired defenders, after Marshall fired out a pass. It was Marshall’s turn next to score, when he danced his way through the overcommitted defensive line to slide over and put the match to bed. They were able to score a third try from a Dragons turnover when Luke Brooks blocked another grubber kick, only this time he was able to sprint the entire way. They finished off their important win with a try to Elijah Taylor after Josh Reynolds’ break from dummy half set off a move, which Elijah Taylor managed to finish off despite spluttering his way to the try line. The Tigers kept their season alive, thumping the Dragons 42-14.
FOUR POINTERS
MOMIROVSKI’S BIG HAUL
The Tigers have built their season around a solid recruitment drive in the off season and none have been more of a stand out than Paul Momirovski. The centre crossed for three tries, showing all the quality traits of an outside back, with his agility and speed but he added an extra seven goals from seven attempts with the boot too. He ended the game with 26 points and will be looking to add to his finals appearances.
EXPERIENCE HEADS ARE FIRING
Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall are riding high at the moment and are being ably supported by the two hookers in Josh Reynolds and Ryan Matterson. There is a chance that Robbie Farah might return next week but these two have shown that they are still a threat without their diminutive number 9. The experienced halves haven’t just been setting up the wins, they have been putting sides to the swords and will look to take that instinct into the elimination football that is a head of them.
SEASON ALMOST OVER
There are a few players that could hold their heads high for the Dragons, two of those being Cameron McInnes and Tyson Frizell, who have never shown an ounce of quit. Their match next week against the Titans is crucial in restoring faith into the playing group heading into the post and pre-season phase. But they will be without their most inspirational play in Cameron McInnes, with the hooker leaving the field with a broken leg.
FINALS HAVE COME EARLY
There is one spot left up for grabs in the final eight – baring a miracle – and it will come down to the final day of the 2019 season. The Tigers will host the Sharks at Leichardt Oval with both sides entering the match on 24 competition points. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the finals series, while the loser will have next year to think about. The unlikely scenario being the Broncos losing and the two sides playing out a draw, in which case both sides will qualify.
THE RESULT
St George Illawarra Dragons 14
Tries: Euan Aitken, Gareth Widdop
Goals: Gareth Widdop 3/3
Wests Tigers 42
Tries: Paul Momirovski 3, Luke Garner, Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks, Elijah Taylor
Goals: Paul Momirovski 7/7
SQUADS
St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Zac Lomax 3. Euan Aitken 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jonus Pearson 6. Gareth Widdop 21. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jackson Ford 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Tyson Frizell 15. Korbin Sims 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Patrick Kaufusi 19. Josh Kerrย
Wests Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Robert Jennings 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Thomas Mikaele 13.ย Ryan Matterson 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Chris Lawrence 14. Matt Eisenhuthย 9.ย Josh Reynolds 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Alex Twal 17. Michael Chee-Kamย
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