Wests Tigers: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
→Famous Fans: rm per WP:TRIV |
||
| Line 395: | Line 395: | ||
*[[Tim Sheens]] - 2003-current |
*[[Tim Sheens]] - 2003-current |
||
== Famous Fans == |
|||
* [[Dawn Fraser]] |
|||
* [[Michael Clarke (cricketer)|Michael Clarke]] |
|||
* [[Laurie Nichols]] |
|||
* [[Warren Smith]] |
|||
* [[Alex Lloyd]] |
|||
* [[Paul "Rado" Thomas]] |
|||
* [[Jim Piper]] |
|||
* [[Roy and H.G.]] |
|||
* [[Bella Week]] |
|||
* [[The Wiggles]] |
|||
* [[Ann Sanders]] |
|||
* [[Sandra Nori]] |
|||
* [[Lauren Jackson]] |
|||
* [[Suzanne Steward]] |
|||
* [[Sir Ian Holder]] |
|||
== External links == |
== External links == |
||
Revision as of 07:35, 21 February 2007
| File:Tiger | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club |
| Colours | Black, white and gold |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| CEO | Steve Noyce |
| Coach | Tim Sheens |
| Captain | Brett Hodgson |
| Competition | National Rugby League |
| 2006 | 11th of 15 |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 1 - 2005 |
| Wooden spoons | Nil |
The Wests Tigers are a team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australia.
The Wests Tigers are based out of both Leichhardt in Sydney's inner-west and Campbelltown in Sydney's outer-west. The Tigers were admitted in 2000 to the National Rugby League (NRL) competition after the merging of two Sydney based clubs: the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Tigers won their maiden premiership in 2005. This win was called by some a 'fairy tale' story, as at the start of the season several sport pundits had claimed they would finish close to or at the bottom of the table.
This is the Wests Tigers only NRL premiership to date. The club also won the World Club Sevens in 2004. However, when the club's individual histories are considered the Wests Tigers have the second most successful history. They have a combined tally of 16 premierships.
Club history
The Wests Tigers is one of only two joint venture football clubs that still exist in the current NRL competition. The Wests Tigers were formed in mid 1999 as a joint venture club between two of the NSWRL's foundation members: the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Balmain Tigers. This merger was in preparation for the 14 team NRL premiership of 2000.
Both clubs had appeared to be headed for mergers with other more financially secure partners — Balmain with Parramatta, and the Magpies with Canterbury. However, they later decided to merge with each other resulting in the Wests Tigers being admitted to the NRL in 2000. David Trodden has been the chairman of the club in 2004 and 2006.
As a joint venture club the Wests tigers have two supporter bases. The Wests Tigers headquarters are in Concord, New South Wales. Their supporting Leagues Clubs are located in Balmain, Ashfield, and Campbelltown. The Wests Tigers play some home games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. This is the former home ground of the Western Suburbs Magpies, located 50km south west of Sydney's GPO. The Wests Tigers also play some home games at Leichhardt Oval. This is the former homeground of the Balmain tigers, located 6km west of Sydney. Since 2005 season the Wests Tigers played six home games a season at Telstra Stadium (formerly Stadium Australia) and a home game at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The club's name and logo are a combination of the two partners. The uniform colours are a combination of the black and white of the Western Suburbs Magpies uniform and the black and gold from the Balmain Tigers uniform. In an effort to ensure the Magpies logo was not lost, it was placed permanently on the jersey sleeve.
The club's official fanatical supporters group is the Wests Tigers Fanatics
2005 season
2005 was the Wests Tigers best season yet, as they not only made it to the finals for the first time, but also reached the top four in the round robin part of the competition, setting crowd attendance records at three different grounds: Campbelltown Stadium (20,527), Telstra Stadium (29,542) and Leichhardt Oval (22,877).
After a slow start, bookmakers rated the Tigers a 150-1 chance to win the premiership. However the club emerged from the bottom half of the table to win a club record 8 in a row before finishing 4th.
The Tigers played their first ever final as a joint venture club at Telstra Stadium against North Queensland. Backed by a passionate crowd the team won 50-6. They then beat the Brisbane Broncos and premiership favourites St George Illawarra Dragons to book a spot against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Based on their winning form (they had won 11 of their last 13) and their big win over the Cowboys in the opening finals game, the Wests Tigers were rated favourites to win the 2006 grand final. After a slow start, Bryce Gibbs and Pat Richards scored tries to give the Tigers a 12-6 lead. The Richards try has been called one of the all time great Grand Final tries. The try was started by five-eighth Benji Marshall, who received the ball from Brett Hodgson 98 metres from the opposition tryline. He beat Cowboys five-eighth Johnathan Thurston and Matt Sing. He then ran 60 metres, only to be caught by Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen. He made a flick pass to Pat Richards, who then fended off Rod Jensen to score.
In the 2nd half the Tigers gained control with tries to Anthony Laffranchi and Daniel Fitzhenry. After withstanding a Cowboys fightback, a Todd Payten try on full time sealed a 30-16 win. Captain Scott Prince was then awarded the Clive Churchill medal for 2005. Prince joins football great Peter Sterling who was the original recipient of the medal. Ben Galea, John Skandalis, Benji Marshall among others starred for the Tigers.
Their premiership victory means that they join an exclusive group of clubs that won premierships in their first finals appearance, which has not been achieved in almost 100 years. This group also includes Souths in 1908 and Newtown in 1910.
Wests Tigers are also the current World Sevens Champions.
Wests Tigers lost the 2006 Carnegie World Club Challenge against Bradford Bulls 30-10.
The Wests Tigers are currently coached by Tim Sheens.
2006 season
2006 was an ordinary season for the Tigers; not only did they miss the finals, but the club was thrown into crisis following injuries to Hodgson, Marshall, Whatuira, Gibbs and Fulton. There were also a number of close, heavy losses but also some good wins.
Round 1, v Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons was the first assignment for the Tigers, and despite trailing 10-8 at halftime, the Tigers fought back with two tries to Paul Whatuira (who also scored the first try of the season proper) and s try to rookie Michael Crockett. All of the Dragons' tries had come from Mark Gasnier, who scored another hat trick against the Tigers, this time in round 24. The Wests Tigers won the match 24-15.
Round 5, v Cowboys
The Tigers headed to Townsville four weeks later, and despite a 2-0 lead early, the Tigers trailed 22-2 at halftime. Not helping their cause was the sin binning of centre Paul Whatuira in the 35th minute for a professional foul on Cowboys' Justin Smith. After enduring a try-less first half, the Tigers' tries came from Benji Marshall (who was booked for a high shot on Smith) and Isaac De Gois, playing one of only five games for the Tigers. The Tigers lost 32-12.
Round 6, v Sharks
The Tigers played their first home game at Campbelltown Stadium and thrashed the Cronulla Sharks who were missing skipper Brett Kimmorley who had injured his ankle in the previous week's 28-24 home loss to the Sydney Roosters. Brett Hodgson, playing in one of his finest games, broke the point-scoring record previously held by Joel Caine. The Tigers won the match 42-16, bringing them back on level terms for the season (3-3).
Round 14, v Sea Eagles
Wests Tigers headed into this Friday night blockbuster at Brookvale Oval having won their last two games including a 44-4 thrashing of the South Sydney Rabbitohs in round 12 and a morale-boosting win over the Cowboys in round 13. They led 12-10 with moments to go until a Matt Orford banana kick was fielded by full-back Brett Stewart who juggled the ball ans scored the match-winning try. This broke the hearts of the Wests Tigers, who were headed for victory.
Round 16, v Panthers
With moments to go in the round 16 game at CUA Stadium, Benji Marshall painfully dislocated his shoulder whilst attempting a tackle on forward Frank Pritchard. The tackle ruled him out for the rest of the season and put the Tigers' premiership defence on tatters. The Tigers lost the game 24-20 after a Luke Lewis try sealed the game for the Panthers.
Round 21, v Broncos
Heading into this game as huge underdogs, the Wests Tigers arrived at Suncorp Stadium and were without skipper Hodgson, five-eighth Marshall, centre Whatuira (who reinjured his hamstring during training), and forwards Gibbs and Fulton. But they were enver headed. Rookies Ben Jeffreys and Chris Lawrence made their debuts and marked them with memorable tries. Centre Dean Collis scored two tries as the Tigers won 20-6. The Broncos won the premiership that year.
Round 26, v Rabbitohs
Two traditional sides out of finals contention had something to play for at this Leichhardt Oval thriller. Among those who played their last games in the Tigers colours included Anthony Laffranchi and Scott Prince (both Gold Coast Titans), John Skandalis and Shane Elford (both Huddersfield Giants). The Tigers were merciless, leading 30-0 at halftime and getting the job done in the second half, resulting in a 52-18 win.
Current squad
| Player | Position | Height | Weight | Previous Club | Nickname | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Hodgson | 
|
Full Back | 175cm/5'9" | 78kg/172p | East-Valley United | Hodgo, Hodg
|
| Shannon McDonnell |
|
Full Back | 180cm/5'11" | 86kg/192p | All Saints | Macca |
| Daniel Fitzhenry |
|
Wing | 180cm/5'11" | 78kg/196p | Dorrigo, Nambucca Heads | Fitzy, Blitzy-Fitzy |
| Michael Crockett |
|
Wing | ||||
| Shane Elford |
|
Wing | 189cm/6'2" | 95kg/209p | Penrith Panthers | Spud |
| Taniela Tuiaki | 
|
Wing | 183cm/6'0" | 105kg/231p | North Curl Curl | TNT |
| Dean Collis |
|
Centre | 181cm/5'11" | 90kg/198p | Campbelltown Warriors | |
| Jamaal Lolesi |
|
Centre | 183cm/6'0" | 88kg/194p | Canterbury Bulldogs | J-Lo |
| Paul Whatuira |
|
Centre | 183cm/6'0" | 91kg/201p | Penrith Panthers | Fatz |
| Benji Marshall |
|
Five Eighth | 181cm/5'11" | 83kg/183p. | Keebra Park | The Messiah |
| Scott Prince |
|
Half Back | 177cm/5'10" | 81kg/179p | Brisbane Broncos | |
| Ben Reynolds |
|
Half Back | 170cm/5'7" | 86kg/190p | Penrith Panthers | |
| Bryce Gibbs |
|
Prop | 188cm/6'2" | 104kg/229p | All Saints | Gibbo |
| Ryan O'Hara |
|
Prop | 188cm/6'2" | 102kg/225p | Canberra Raiders | Rhino (Rhino Mrk.2) |
| Todd Payten |
|
Prop | 185cm/6'1" | 112kg/247p | Sydney Roosters | Rodney, Sayten |
| John Skandalis |
|
Prop | 190cm/6'3" | 107kg/236p | Western Suburbs Magpies | Skando |
| Robbie Farah |
|
Hooker | 178cm/5'10" | 87kg/192p | Leichhardt Wanderers | Podge |
| Keith Galloway |
|
Second Row | 196cm/6'5" | 112kg/247p | Cronulla Sharks | Kilo, KG |
| Dene Halatau |
|
Second Row | 178cm/5'10" | 89kg/196p | North Ryde | Hammer |
| Bronson Harrison |
|
Second Row | 183cm/6'0" | 103kg/227p | Leichhardt Wanderers | Taps |
| Anthony Laffranchi |
|
Second Row | 184cm/6'0" | 102kg/225p | Murwillumbah Colts | Boof |
| Jarrod Saffy | 
|
Second Row | 189cm/6'2" | 104kg/229p | ||
| Liam Fulton |
|
Lock | 186cm/6'1" | 90kg/198p | Wentworthville | Boz, Derrick |
| Ben Galea |
|
Lock | 178cm/5'10" | 95kg/209p | Balmain Tigers | BG |
| Chris Heighington |
|
Lock | 187cm/6'2" | 101kg/223p | Umina Bunnies | Rhino |
See Also: All Time Player List
Player Records
All-time Top 5 Wests tryscorers
| Player | Tries | |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Fitzhenry (*) |
34 | |
| Kevin McGuinness |
30 | |
| Joel Caine |
26 | |
| Brett Hodgson (*) |
26 | |
| Pat Richards |
26 |
(*) player still active in the Wests Tigers team.
All-time Top 5 Wests Appearances
| Player | Appearance | |
|---|---|---|
| John Skandalis (*) |
142 | |
| Mark O'Neill |
121 | |
| Ben Galea (*) |
107 | |
| Darren Senter |
96 | |
| Anthony Laffranchi (*) |
82 |
(*) player still active in the Wests Tigers team.
Dally M Award Winners
- Joel Caine (2000 Top Pointscorer)
- Scott Prince (2005 Captain of the Year)
- Tim Sheens (2005 Coach of the Year)
- Brett Hodgson (2005 Fullback of the Year, Top Pointscorer)
Clive Churchill Medal Winners
- Scott Prince (2005)
Players Of Note
- Darren Senter (2000-2004)
- Mark O'Neill (2000-2005)
- Scott Sattler (2004)
- Pat Richards (2004-2005)
- John Skandalis {2000-Present)
- Robert Farah (2003-present)
- Brett Hodgson (2003-present)
- Benji Marshall (2003-present)
- Scott Prince (2004-present)
- Paul Whatuira (2005-present)
- Craig Field (2000-2001)
- Daniel Fitzhenry (2002-present)
Captains
- Jarrod McCracken (2000)
- Darren Senter (2001-2004)
- Mark O'Neill/Scott Prince (2005)
- Brett Hodgson (2006)
Coaches
- Wayne Pearce - 2000
- Terry Lamb - 2001-2002
- Tim Sheens - 2003-current