In front of 17,773 roaring fans, the Wests Tigers produced a memorable comeback to defeat the Gold Coast Titans 36-28 in the Club's final NRL match at Leichhardt Oval before the ground's redevelopment.
After trailing 24-12 early in the second half, Benji Marshall's side stormed home, with captain Jarome Luai crossing for three second-half tries, including the match-winning try in the final minute.
It was a farewell only 'The Eighth' could deliver, as well as a welcome to debutant Josese Lanyon – WT #310 – as the Wests Tigers NRL side played their last game at the ground until 2028.
Key Stats:
Jarome Luai: The captain lead through his actions, with the first hat-trick of his NRL career, crossing three times in the second half.
Alex Seyfarth: The Balmain junior had a performance to remember, making a match-high 54 tackles and scoring a crucial try in the second half.
Terrell May: Continued his outstanding season with 225 running metres and 48 tackles.
Jock Madden: Produced a standout kicking performance, perfect from the tee, converting all six tries, as well as 505 kick metres in play.
The Moments
11th minute: Kai Pearce-Paul leaves the field of play with a pectoral muscle injury.
13th minute: Jarome Luai gets the ball to Taylan May, who pops it off to Starford To’a on the left edge to go over for his first try of the season. Jock Madden converts, with the Tigers leading 6-0.
27th minute: Madden puts up a bomb, which is contested in the air by Jahream Bula, who strips it from Keano Kini in the one-on-one contest and gets it off to Taylan May to score. Madden converts, with the Tigers ahead 12-0.
31st minute: Kini gets it to Jayden Campbell, who crosses for the Titans first try of the match. Campbell converts his own try, narrowing the Tigers lead to 12-6.
35th minute: Kini crosses near the posts, giving Campbell an easy conversion. The scores are equal at 12-12.
37th minute: Kini gets it off to Arama Hau, putting the Titans ahead 18-12 at halftime.
43rd minute: A short pass from Zane Harrison is received by Beau Fermor, who goes over. Campbell adds the two, with the Titans going ahead 24-12.
48th minute: Luai gives a short ball to Taylan May, who gives him a return pass, with the skipper charging over the line on the left side, bringing the home side back into the contest. Madden converts, bringing the score to 24-18 in favour of the Titans.
53rd minute: Madden finds Alex Seyfarth, who bumps off a Titans defender and puts it down under the posts. Madden slots it between the uprights, bringing the scores back to level at 24-24.
60th minute: Philip Sami goes over on the left wing. The try is unconverted, with the score at 28-24.
70th minute: An attempted long pass by Jahream Bula is deflected backwards by a Titans defender into his in-goal area. It’s collected by Luai over the line for his second try of the match. Madden converts, pushing the Tigers ahead 30-28.
79th minute: Luai steps through the Titans defensive line and races away to complete his first NRL hat-trick, sealing a 36-28 victory and providing the perfect farewell for Leichhardt Oval.
What they said:
NRL Head Coach, Benji Marshall
“I’m extremely proud of our team. To come back to Leichhardt, on our last game here for a while and get the result.”
“I thought some guys showed great leadership today. Jarome and Alex Seyfarth, who doesn't get a mention quite often, was outstanding for us, and I thought on debut, Josese (Lanyon), looked like an NRL player, phenomenal.”
Captain, Jarome Luai
On bouncing back from last week’s loss
“We took it personally, we had a brother debuting, ‘Long Live Leichhardt’ was being spread throughout the week, and I’m so happy for the brothers.”
“We earned that win tonight, and like I said, it's on again next week”
