I remember a game against Newcastle at leichhardt in 2011, alien you can probably reminisce here since you would have been on the hill cheering the boys on. The Knights were under strength however lead by 12 or so not long after halftime. They were well on top and the Tigers were showing nothing to suggest they could get back into it. All of a sudden the tigers got like 5-6 straight penalties seemingly out of nothing. We scored 2 tries to lockit up, then Farah kicked a field goal in golden point to win. I left the game feeling absolutely nothing. I knew we didn't deserve the win, the referees single handedly got us back in the game and robbed Newcastle. I could admit it.
I'd imagine that's how most eels fans felt after that game. Sure you take the two points and look to next week, but you know how you got them.
In my time as tigers supporter if I'm really honest I'd say there is probably only 4-5 games in my 30 odd years of supporting them that I believe the refs single handedly cost us the game. Monday night was one of them.
Not in any way do I think there is cheating involved, however ATM I believe the Tigers are an easy team for the refs to call against. We are expected (understandably) to lose most games, a low profile media team, no star players, a coach who doesn't blow up at referees and we don't have a strong leader. All of these things added together mean when a 50/50 call comes up its easier to call against us. If a high profile Sydney club like souths or the dogs lost in that way it would be backpage news. When it happens to the Tigers it barely measures a blip on the medias radar.
This is where we are as a team ATM. In general the good teams get the good calls and the shit teams get the dud ones. It's always been this way. I know in 2010/11 we were a team who benefited from good calls. Now we have to cop it until we're a good enough team to win despite these calls, then eventually they will start to turn our way. At the moment it seems a hell of a long way off though.
