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| coach = [[Tim Sheens]]
| coach = [[Tim Sheens]]
| league = [[National Rugby League]]
| league = [[National Rugby League]]
| season = [[National Rugby League season 2008|2008]]
| season = [[National Rugby League season 2009|2009]]
| position = National Rugby League, 10th
| position = National Rugby League, 9th
| cap = 180
| cap = 180
| mostcap = [[John Skandalis]]
| mostcap = [[John Skandalis]]

Revision as of 08:25, 26 April 2010

Wests Tigers
File:WestsTigersLogo.jpg
Club information
Full nameWests Tigers Rugby League Football Club
Founded2000
Current details
Ground(s)
CEOStephen Humphreys
CoachTim Sheens
CompetitionNational Rugby League
2009National Rugby League, 9th
Current season
Records
Premierships1 (2005)
Most capped180 – John Skandalis
Highest points scorer786 – Brett Hodgson

The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs Magpies.

The Tigers started playing in the 2000 NRL season and won their maiden premiership in 2005. Although this is the Wests Tigers' only NRL premiership to date, the club has a heritage of eleven premierships won by Balmain and four by Western Suburbs, both foundation clubs from the NSWRFL's creation in 1908. The Tigers also won the World Sevens in 2004.

The Tigers have two home grounds: Leichhardt Oval (the home ground of Balmain) and Campbelltown Stadium (the home ground of Western Suburbs), and share their home games between them. They are currently coached by Tim Sheens and captained by Robbie Farah.

History

The nine foundation clubs and their respective locations in Sydney, Australia.

Background

The game of rugby league began in 1908 as the New South Wales Rugby League premiership (NSWRL) which had nine teams from the Sydney, Australia area. Two of those teams were clubs based in Balmain and the Western Suburbs. The Balmain club, who later adopted a Tiger as their emblem, in their tenure in the NSWRL won eleven premierships in twenty grand finals and was one of the forces in the NSWRL competition. However their last premiership success was in 1969 and in the 1990s with many new clubs being established, there was pressure on clubs to perform to survive in the first grade competition in Australia.[1]

The Westerns Suburbs club was less successful, only winning four premierships in twelve grand finals over the tenure of the NSWRL competition. The Western Suburbs Magpies, like the Balmain Tigers, had a dismal 1990s winning rate, and again there was pressure on the foundation clubs to perform. The NSWRL competition was replaced by the Australian Rugby League competition (ARL) in 1995 due to the expansion of rugby league within Australia.[1]

With a media driven rival competition being set up, the pressure for clubs to survive and preserve their short-term future. Both the Magpies and the Tigers signed with the ARL whereas eight clubs of the 1995 ARL competition signed with the rival Super League competition for 1997. In 1998, the ARL and Super League were unified into a National Rugby League (NRL) competition.[1] As part of the deal with the ARL and Super League, the NRL competition would reduce down to fourteen teams in 2000 from the twenty two that had competition in both competitions in 1997. With the addition of a team in 1998, this meant that nine teams would be demised before the 2000 season.[1]

Foundation

With the NRL offering guaranteed entrance into the 2000 competition and $AU6 million funding for clubs that merged together, many clubs that were struggling to compete were negotiating to merge. Balmain had garnered interest to merge with the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Chargers while Western Suburbs had talked with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers. Both Balmain and Western Suburbs felt that those offers were seen more as takeovers of their clubs rather than mergers. By June 1999, both club’s boards had unanimously voted to merge with each other to make a competitive entity.[1]

Each club took a 50% share in the club which would be known as the Wests Tigers. Due to Western Suburbs record breaking dismal season in 1999, they supplied just six of the twenty five players to the new joint venture. However the club’s board would garner two members from each club with a chairman which rotated between foundation clubs each year. Because the playing roster was supplied mostly by Balmain, the chairman and chief executive officer was supplied by Western Suburbs to even the deal.[1]

Balmain coach Wayne Pearce was the initial coach of the Wests Tigers and new recruit Jarrod McCracken was named captain. A large crowd attended the first trial match played by the team. [citation needed] Before the first round the Tigers were controversially denied a place in the double header at Stadium Australia. The debut match for the side was therefore held at Campelltown where after leading 18–6 the side snatched a 24-all draw after falling behind late in the game.

The Tigers surprised many by maintaining a high place on the ladder for most of the year (often in second place). Losses to the Penrith Panthers (after leading 31–8) and in the snow against the Canberra Raiders combined with injuries to key players saw the Tigers slide out of the top eight.[2] The loss of captain Jarrod McCracken from a spear tackle against Melbourne was a crucial blow.

Building towards success

2001 was a bitter year for the joint venture club, including off-field incidents. After Wayne Pearce announced he would no longer coach the team, Terry Lamb was appointed to the position. This was a controversial selection because of animosity from Balmain supporters due to an incident involving Ellery Hanley in the 1988 Grand Final (see Terry Lamb entry for more information).

Early in the season, key players Craig Field and Kevin McGuinness tested positive to prohibited drugs and received long suspensions.[3] Field was the team's halfback and playmaker whilst McGuinness was a leading try scorer for the club.

Later in the season another big name player was suspended: John Hopoate earned world wide notoriety when he was charged with inserting his finger into the anus (pushing the players' shorts) of opposition players.[3] Hopoate quit the club and received a long suspension. Lamb was criticised for seeming to condone the activity.

During the season the club announced Terry Lamb would not have his contract renewed.[2] The side struggled near the foot of the ladder and only a large victory over Souths moved them clear of the wooden spoon position.

The coaching job for 2003 was offered to (and rejected by) both Craig Bellamy and Ian Millward before Tim Sheens was selected. The selection was by no means seen as a positive move by the media as Sheens' most recent coaching stint had seen him sacked by the North Queensland Cowboys.

The 2003 season was notable for the emergence of new young players through the team as the club moved away from the era of big names and big money signings and focused on developing junior talent. Most notably Benji Marshall, then a schoolboy prodigy with no senior league experience, made his debut against the Newcastle Knights.

The Tigers improved greatly in 2004 aided by signings of players such as Brett Hodgson and Pat Richards who began to blend well with the younger players emerging as talents. The Tigers narrowly missed the playoffs after losing their final three games when a single victory would have guaranteed finals football for the first time.

Premiership success

For more information, see 2005 Grand Final
File:MarshallRichards05.jpg
Pat Richards scores in the 2005 Grand Final

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.[2] However the club emerged from the bottom half of the table to win a club record eight in a row before finishing fourth. The team developed a reputation as a flamboyant attacking side who played at a rapid pace to compensate a lack of forward size.

The Tigers played their first ever grand final as a joint venture club at Telstra Stadium against North Queensland Cowboys. Backed by a passionate crowd the team won 50–6. They then beat the Brisbane Broncos 34–6 and premiership favourites St George Illawarra Dragons 20–12 to book a spot against the 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 2005 grand final. After a slow start, Bryce Gibbs and Pat Richards scored tries to give the Tigers a 12–6 lead. The Richards try was ranked the second best try of all time in the NRL's Centenary of Rugby League 100 Hot Tries survey.[4] 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. Marshall then ran 60 metres, only to be caught by Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen. He made a flick pass to Pat Richards behind his back, who then fended off Rod Jensen to score.

In the second 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 awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for 2005.

The premiership victory meant that the club joined an exclusive group that won premierships in their first finals appearance, which had not been achieved in almost 100 years. The group also includes Souths in 1908 and Newtown in 1910.

As of 2008, they are the only side to have never lost a single finals match, having won 4 games from 4 played.

Grand final hangover

Following the premiership win several key players left the club. From the grand final team, Mark O'Neill, and Pat Richards signed with English clubs (Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors respectivley). New signings included Jamaal Lolesi (Bulldogs), Keith Galloway (Cronulla Sharks) and Ryan O'Hara (Canberra Raiders).

As defending premiers, the Tigers began the season by travelling to England to play English Super League champions the Bradford Bulls. Missing many of their star players, the Tigers tried hard but were eventually beaten 10–30. After a come from behind win over competition heavyweights St George-Illawarra, the team struggled with injuries to key players. Most notably Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson missed large portions of the season. The team suffered a number of narrow losses late in games and also two golden point (extra time) matches in controversial circumstances.

The Tigers narrowly missed the finals and the chance to defend their title. One highlight of the season was the debut of several players including Chris Lawrence and the emergence of up and coming players such as Dean Collis. Brett Hodgson played for the New South Wales team in the interstate State of Origin series in all three games.

Joining the club for the 2007 season was John Morris (ex Parramatta Eels) to replace Scott Prince who signed with the Gold Coast Titans. Other players to leave at the end of the 2006 season were John Skandalis, Anthony Laffranchi and Shane Elford – all members of the 2005 grand final team.

The Tigers had a bad start to the season losing their opening four games by narrow margins. They then had a six game winning streak to move into the top four. The Tigers' five-eighth Benji Marshall and full-back Brett Hodgson missed the majority of the season with injuries.

The Wests Tigers' ended their attempt at a finals berth and finished the season on a disappointing loss to the Newcastle Knights, 26–24 at the then-Telstra Stadium.

In February 2008, the Tigers announced the extension of Benji Marshall's contract by one year, to the end of 2009. They also announced the signing of Gareth Ellis, the Leeds Rhinos second-rower and international representative, to a three-year deal commencing in 2009.[5]

In February 2010, the Wests Tigers announced the signing of former Rugby Union star Lote Tuqiri for three years,[6] and the signing of Benji Marshall for a further five.[7]

Stadium

The joint venture draws supporters from the historic bases of Balmain and Western Suburbs. Because they are a joint venture the basic structure of the former teams remains in place including their respective leagues clubs. The Balmain Leagues Club is based in Rozelle. The Western Suburbs Magpies have two leagues clubs, one representing their former inner-city base Ashfield, and the other established when they relocated to the outer west in the 1980s Campbelltown.

The Wests Tigers are based at Concord Oval for training and administrative purposes but are historically linked to the inner-west of Sydney and the Campbelltown region in Sydney's outer-west. Concord is coincidentally, however, virtually on the border of the original geographic heartlands of both Western Suburbs on the western side, and Balmain towards the city side.

The Tigers do not have a single home but play at a number of grounds each year. Home games are split between traditional games played at the former home grounds of Balmain and Western Suburbs and financial games played at grounds which offer playing incentives.

Traditional home games are played at Campbelltown Sports Stadium and Leichhardt Oval, the former home grounds of Wests and Balmain respectively. The grounds are around 50 km apart and attract different supporter bases. Marquee home games were previously played at ANZ Stadium, the former Olympic Stadium used for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. From 2004 until 2006, a "home game" was played at AMI Stadium against the Auckland based New Zealand Warriors. This agreement was not renewed for 2007 and in that year a game was played at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford against Melbourne Storm. In 2008, one home game was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground as part of the Centenary of Rugby League celebrations, and also one game at the Sydney Football Stadium.

In late 2008, CEO Scott Longmuir announced the Wests Tigers would move from ANZ Stadium at Homebush to the Sydney Football Stadium at Moore Park for the 2009 season.[8] The Wests Tigers also play an annual pre-season friendly game known as the Foundation Cup at the Sydney Football Stadium, against their neighbouring club to the east and main tenant at the venue, the Sydney Roosters. The name of the Cup reflects the fact that Balmain, Western Suburbs and the Roosters, are the only foundation clubs to have participated in some form in every season of Rugby League played in Australia, since 1908. A friendly, but growing, rivalry is being developed between the Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters.

Stadia used by the Wests Tigers as home grounds:

Present:

Former:

Colours

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 orange from the Balmain Tigers uniform. The logo combines a modern "in your face" Tiger with a traditional Wests 'V' in the background. There is also a Magpie (taken from the Western Suburbs Logo) on both sleeves of the Jersey.

In 2009, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the joint venture, a predominantly white strip with an orange 'V' was unveiled.[9]


Notable Fans

Season statistics

Current 16 August 2009

Season Pos Pld W D L B F A +/- Pts Notes Crowd*
2000 10th 26 11 2 13 N/A 519 642 −123 24 12,124
2001 12th 26 9 1 16 N/A 474 746 −272 19 9,294
2002 13th 24 7 0 17 2 498 642 −144 18 10,478
2003 13th 24 7 0 17 2 470 598 −128 18 11,995
2004 9th 24 10 0 14 2 509 534 −25 24 Wests Tigers 2004 16,597
2005 4th 24 14 0 10 2 676 575 101 32 Premiers
Wests Tigers 2005 		19,379
2006 11th 24 10 0 14 2 490 565 −75 24 Wests Tigers 2006 19,266
2007 9th 24 11 0 13 1 541 561 −20 24 Wests Tigers 2007 16,961
2008 10th 24 11 0 13 2 528 560 −32 26 Wests Tigers 2008 16,452
2009 9th 24 12 0 12 2 558 483 75 28 Wests Tigers 2009 17,943

* Average home crowd

2010 Squad

Template:2010 Wests Tigers Squad


Under 20s 2010 Squad

[15]

  • Neil Begovich
  • Bodie Clarke
  • Jamie Clarke
  • Finau Faleula
  • Jay Florimo
  • Matt Hyland
  • Limoni Kamuta
  • James Leuluai
  • Isaac Lui
  • Jake Mullaney
  • Ben Murdoch-Masila
  • Dean Parata
  • Pat Politoni
  • Sama Sauvao
  • Lance Siataga
  • Tim Simona
  • Sam Stanford
  • Monikura Tikinau
  • Joel Wisbey


Representative players

Main article: List of Wests Tigers representatives

Statistics and records

Main article: List of Wests Tigers records

John Skandalis holds the record for most first grade appearances for the Tigers, having played 180 games.[16] He had previously played 64 games with the Magpies [17]before the merger with Balmain. Of the current squad, Chris Heighington has the most appearances with 128.[16]

The highest point-scorers for the club have been players who have undertaken goalkicking duties for a period. Brett Hodgson has scored the most points for the club (786), followed by Joel Caine (526), and Benji Marshall (426).[16] In 2005, Hodgson scored a record 308 points during the season, the most points ever scored by a fulllback in one season. In the semis of 2005, he also scored 30 points in one match against the North Queensland Cowboys.[16]

Daniel Fitzhenry holds the record for most tries scored for the Tigers, with 43. He is narrowly ahead of Taniela Tuiaki (42) and Benji Marshall (41).[16] Tuiaki scored a club-record 21 tries during the 2009 season.[18]

Wests Tigers "Team of the Century"

The Wests Tigers Team of the Century was announced in 2004, encompassing the best players from both Balmain and Western Suburbs. Nine Balmain players and eight from Western Suburbs made up the 17 members of the team.[19]

Captains and coaches

The Wests Tigers have had six captains in their history, at one stage two of those as co-captains. The team has been under the guidance of three coaches since their inception.

Major Sponsors

  • Meriton Apartments (2000)
  • Don Smallgoods (2001)
  • New-Loan Home Loans (2002)
  • Radisson Maine Financial Group (2003)
  • Herbal World Therapeutic Soft Drinks (2004)
  • JFTA Petrochemical Services (2005)
  • Proton Cars (2006–)
  • Proton Cars/MKB Contracting (2010–)

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Whiticker, Alan & Collis, Ian (2004). The History of Rugby League Clubs. New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-74110-075-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Sean Fagan. "Wests Tigers". www.rl1908.com. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b Peter Corrigan (8 April 2001). "Refrains and strains of Wincing Matilda". The Independent. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ http://www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au/site/get-involved/hot-100-tries/as-ranked-by-you.aspx?sort=avg
  5. ^ "Marshall extends his contract". Fox Sports News (Australia). 8 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tigers-confirm-tuqiri-signing-20100204-nfiu.html
  7. ^ Jancetic, Steve (24 February 2010). "Benji Marshall set to commit to Tigers". Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Wests Tigers Announce 2009 Season". The Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust. Retrieved 26 January 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Tigers kick-off 10th season". The Liverpool City Champion. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Heavy police presence planned for Bulldogs NRL game". ABC Online. 23 March 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Blue Wiggle Anthony: Meet my beautiful baby boy". Woman's Day. Retrieved 27 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "BARNSEY LOVES HIS WESTS TIGERS". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 27 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b Wayne Cousins. "'TIGER' GEALE THE REAL DEAL". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 28 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=23091
  15. ^ http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=profile-player-nyc
  16. ^ a b c d e "Wests Tigers Records". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "RLP – John Skandalis". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 27 December 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Magnay, Jacquelin (17 August 2009). "Tuiaki show rolls on with hat-trick, and he has more tricks in the tank". Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 27 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "Wests Tigers Team of the Century". Wests Magpies Archive. Retrieved 18 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

References

  • Middleton, David (Editor); 2008 Official Rugby League Annual; published 2009 for the National Rugby League by News Magazines, 170–180 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW, 2015

External links

See also

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