Wests Tigers Make History with Dramatic Win
Wests Tigers have made history by securing a place in the NRL’s top two for the second time in 12 seasons. This achievement came after a thrilling and chaotic 22-20 golden-point victory over Parramatta on Easter Monday. The win was sealed by Jock Madden’s crucial penalty goal, which marked his second NRL game since July 2024.
The match at CommBank Stadium was filled with high drama, as both teams showcased their resilience. Parramatta faced yet another setback when a player suffered a suspected season-ending injury due to foul play. However, it was Madden who rose to the occasion when it mattered most, delivering a decisive kick in front of a record crowd.
A Match Full of Drama and Resilience
With both sides trading penalty goals in the final five minutes, the game was taken into extra time. Madden’s shot from 15 metres out proved to be the difference. The opportunity came after Eels lock Dylan Walker was called offside while attempting to charge down a Madden field-goal shot, which narrowly missed the posts.
This round-five win has placed the Tigers in the top two for the weekend, marking only the second time they have achieved this feat in the past 12 seasons. The previous instance occurred after round one in 2017.
Coach Benji Marshall, when asked about the achievement, responded with a simple “Who cares?” He emphasized that the team is focused on the present rather than the past.
“I hate talking about the past,” Marshall said. “I’ve been asked every week about it. And it’s the same answer – we’re a different team. It’s completely different. It’s different people, different staff and different players.”
A Debut to Remember
Earlier in the match, train-and-trial player Apa Twidle made his NRL debut as the 18th man. His performance inspired Parramatta to fight back from an 18-10 deficit just after half-time. Twidle’s inclusion in the game-day team was a last-minute decision following an injury crisis that saw Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell, and Jonah Pezet all go down.
Twidle, who was initially unlikely to take the field, received an exemption to play. His efforts were significant, as he scored with his first touch of the game, though the try was initially ruled not a try. His second try was more straightforward, as he ran onto a Mitch Moses cut-out ball and sprinted to the line.
Adversity and Performance
Eels coach Jason Ryles praised his team’s attitude in the face of adversity. He acknowledged that the loss was disappointing but emphasized the importance of performance.
“Adversity. It was adversity, all right,” Ryles said. “It was obviously not the result we were looking for, but I just said to the players then, the performance is what really matters tonight. If we continue to show that each week, we’re going to win more games than we lose.”
Injuries and Controversies
Simonsson left the field in a medicab after landing awkwardly from a mid-air tackle by Luke Laulilii. He was sin-binned soon after scoring a second-half aerial try that gave the Tigers an 18-10 lead. Laulilii faces a one-game suspension for grade-two dangerous contact.
The Eels are worried that Simonsson may be sidelined for the rest of the season. Twidle, who also received treatment for a minor shoulder injury after the game, is expected to be named in the side to face Gold Coast on Sunday.
Final Moments and Decisive Plays
In the final five minutes, Mitch Moses demonstrated his skill by running down the right side on the fifth tackle. He was stopped by Samuela Fainu, and referee Peter Gough initially ruled the set complete. However, the Eels launched a captain’s challenge, and the bunker picked up a high tackle that allowed Moses to kick for a two-point lead.
The Tigers equalized on the next set when Sam Tuivaiti hit Sione Fainu high. Madden then tied the game at 20 by slotting the first of two crucial penalty goals.
