Embarrassingly bad luck has followed NRL club Wests Tigers like a lost puppy this season and that extends to their supporters, as one fan found out the hard way on Thursday night. The joint venture club’s reputation is in tatters following a 12-year finals drought and a wooden spoon in 2022, with the Tigers battling to avoid another last-placed finish this season.
Still, the hardy Tigers fans showed up to support their team against Cronulla on Thursday night at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium. For one fan, the night even seemed like it could be a winning one. However, just like the footy side, his hopes were quickly dashed in humiliating fashion.
Wests’ star halfback is injured and walking out the door next year, blue-chip signing Api Koroisau is also out of action and the club got pasted by a record 74-0 margin by the North Queensland Cowboys a fortnight ago.
Teco Australia is a corporate sponsor of the Tigers and regularly runs appliance giveaways at home games. On Thursday night, one lucky supporter had a golden opportunity to win a customised mini bar fridge emblazoned with the Wests Tigers logo and valued at around $250.
All he and the shocked fans in the stands could do was laugh. ‘The highlight of the night,’ one supporter grizzled after the 36-12 loss. ‘He would still probably go alright in the halves,’ another fan added sarcastically.
All he had to do was kick a Steeden into a large bin from point-blank range. In a moment that many fans say sums up the Tigers’ season, the fan lined up his kick and promptly booted the ball into the rim of the container.
‘They’ll probably sign him lol,’ posted another.he Tigers are presently fielding an almost unrecognisable line-up of young players as the club looks to build for 2024. And die-hard supporters were quick to lash the match officials for the loss, including a no-try call from the bunker for Tommy Talau at a crucial point when the Tigers were still in the match.
‘We could not get any 50/50 calls. The final score was not a true reflection of the play,’ one fan posted. ‘The disallowed try changed momentum. At least we showed more effort,’ posted another. ‘At least it wasn’t 74 and at least we put points on the board,’ an optimistic supporter added.
