Wests Tigers have secured a historic first NRLW finals appearance with a thumping 44-14 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday night.
In their biggest ever NRLW winning margin and the first time they have scored over 40 points, the Tigers overcame an early challenge before showcasing their skills and strength to cross for three tries to lead 18-4 at half-time.
The victory moved Wests Tigers into third place with two rounds remaining under new coach Craig Sandercock.
It's a tremendous effort by Sandercock and his staff after a complete rebuild of the NRLW program following back-to-back wooden spoons and an eighth-place finish in their maiden season in 2023.
The key moments
3rd minute: Bulldogs winger Bridget Hoy denied a try after putting foot on sideline.
7th minute: Bulldogs denied a try to centre Monica Tagoai on a forward pass call.
9th minute: Bulldogs five-eighth Ashleigh Quinlan delivers floating cut out pass for winger Simina Lokotui to score in corner. Bulldogs 4-0.
17th minute: Tigers hooker Salma Nour uses sheer strength to get over two defenders to score under the posts. Raecene McGregor converts. Tigers 6-4.
25th minute: ‘Super sub’ Faythe Manera darts from dummy half and shows great determination and strength to get the ball down despite three defenders on her. McGregor converts. Tigers 12-4.
29th minute: Manera draws in the defence to send prop Christian Pio over untouched for her first try in 17 matches. McGregor converts. Tigers 18-4.
34th minute: Tigers full-back Caitlin Turnbull shows great strength to hold up lock Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa from scoring with 50 seconds remaining before half-time.
Half-time: Wests Tigers 18-4
37th minute: Manera burrows her way over from dummy half to make a second effort to get her second try. It was her eighth try this season. McGregor converts. Tigers 24-4.
44th minute: Quinlan sends Tagoai over out wide for the Bulldogs. Tigers 24-8.
48th minute: Tigers second-rower Shaylee Bent placed on report for dangerous tackle.
50th minute: Tigers centre Shenai Lendill leaves field with a suspected arm injury.
53rd minute: A beautiful over the top pass from Tigers five-eighth Losana Lutu saw winger Lily Rogan juggle the ball before scoring her fourth try of the season. McGregor converts from the sideline. Tigers 30-8.
56th minute: Tigers prop Shaniece Monschau crashes over for her second try in two weeks. Tigers 34-8.
59th minute: Daynah Nankivell scores out wide for the Bulldogs. Tigers 34-14
64th minute: A pinpoint kick from McGregor sees the ball land perfectly into the arms of Rogan for her second try. Tigers 38-14.
67th minute: Nour shows great determination to reach out to score her first NRLW double. Tigers 44-14.
Wests Tigers return to Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday, 6 September, at 1.45pm to play the second-placed Gold Coast Titans.
