Match Discussion: Round 6 vs Newcastle @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal

[Tigerm]

 

[Pezz70]

Jock Madden is such a composed half, I like him a lot, he has improved so much over the last couple of years

 

[WA Tiger]

Fonua was impressive..he’s not a big prop so there’s only one way he’s going to make a dent. Well done.. Herbert should have played a few weeks back. AD played himself back into the 6 position. he’s nailing the cut outs like he used to ..Madden will play where he wants. Pretty sure that’s not 14

 

[WA Tiger]

To me, That looked like the best defence that’s ever been played. With a lot of, hardly any movement forward from Newcastle and their big boys dropping like flys. ..Scaaary!

 

[Tigerm]

 

[Wizardman]

What a win and what a milestone to take down! 3 wins straight! A few years ago, I think no coach would have wanted to touch this team. If Benji were to leave today, I think the line up to coach this team would be a very long one. But, all credit to Benji and Richo here.

1: Bula = 8 = His best game for us this year. It seems like things with him and Saints have broken down. Hopefully he extends because he is an important piece of the puzzle. Great involvement and did his job very well.
2. Turuva = 9 = I knew we were getting a good player from Penrith but, he really has kicked it up a couple of gears this year. Outf**kingstandiing. He is the chief energy officer of the Tigers. Worth every cent we spent on him.
3. Makasini = 4 = Sadly, the young fella is getting worse. He didn't defend well and they just don't go to his side much in attack as he is just not getting it done. I think the time has come to either put him on the wing or NSW Cup. He is not getting much of an education by getting worse by the week.
4. Herbert = 8 = First top level game in four years and already plays a better game at centre (through experience) than Maka has. You could tell the man had not played top grade in a while but he had a dig.
5. Skelton = 4 = As successful as the team was, the only thing that truly sucked about us was him and Maka on one side....never again. My patience has run out with this bloke. His decision making is like Naden from Wish and his defence at wing is not NRL standard. Im happy to have him as a depth winger but he is not starter material when everybody is fit. A shame as the bloke is an athlete.
6. Madden = 7 = Ran the team well, great kicking. He has the team humming well.
7. Doueihi = 9 = He has put a lot of egg on people's faces (including mine). f**k, he looked dangerous today. This is the Adam Doueihi we paid those big bucks for all those years ago. Now he is on less dollars, we are getting more of a reward. This IS our best halves combo. Benji will have a problem once Luai is fit.
8. May = 9 = The beast is back after a slow start to the year. He never stopped running and looked dangerous close to the line. Man, what a gift from the Roosters.
9. Api = 9 = Two solid games from Api on the trot now. The deception was there in all of its glory. Apart from Grant, the smartest hooker in the comp. Let's pray he is not picked at hooker for NSW.....the man does not need that extra workload.
10. Pole = 9 = Things were brewing for him last week I thought. He looked good but had no game time. He was f**king awesome today......I'd say the best game of his career. Lets hope this is onwards and upwards for him.
11. Sam Fainu = 8 = He looked an imposing beast today. Injury cut short his day.......hopefully not too serious.
12. KPP = 7 Bit of a quiet game from him with the ball today....but fortunately, the pack was roaring. Defensively, he did kick ass though.
13. Twal = 9 = Without a doubt, playing the best footy of his career. Thank f**k, he did not go to Manly.

14. Latu Fainu = 5 = He was not bad but had no impact on the game either other than to give Api a breather. Still, every minute will help for him.
15. Sione Fainu = 5 = Minimal impact today.
16. Hunt = 6 = He did a job with a few good runs. A touch below his usual standard though.
17. Seyfarth = 5 = He was ok. He may have to be really switched on next week if Fainu is out.

WIZARDMAN's PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2026 RANKINGS

3 =Doueihi
2 = Turuva
1 = Terrell May (f**k, I wish I could give Pole and Twal a point)

LEADERBOARD
7 = Twal
5 = KPP, Doueihi
3 = Luai, Terrell May
2 = Hunt, Samuela Fainu, Turuva
1. = Sione Fainu

 

[Nutz]

FOX SPORTS LAB STATS

- Royce Hunt was placed on report for high contact on Tyson Frizell after Dom Young scored the Knights only try of the first half. He has not been charged since 2021.

That's because he's only on the field for 5 min and couldn't get near anyone.
That's harsh. Royce is getting better every game due to his fitness improvement. You have to wonder why he was allowed to play sub std footy in the past.

 

[Nutz]

What a win and what a milestone to take down! 3 wins straight! A few years ago, I think no coach would have wanted to touch this team. If Benji were to leave today, I think the line up to coach this team would be a very long one. But, all credit to Benji and Richo here.

1: Bula = 8 = His best game for us this year. It seems like things with him and Saints have broken down. Hopefully he extends because he is an important piece of the puzzle. Great involvement and did his job very well.
2. Turuva = 9 = I knew we were getting a good player from Penrith but, he really has kicked it up a couple of gears this year. Outf**kingstandiing. He is the chief energy officer of the Tigers. Worth every cent we spent on him.
3. Makasini = 4 = Sadly, the young fella is getting worse. He didn't defend well and they just don't go to his side much in attack as he is just not getting it done. I think the time has come to either put him on the wing or NSW Cup. He is not getting much of an education by getting worse by the week.
4. Herbert = 8 = First top level game in four years and already plays a better game at centre (through experience) than Maka has. You could tell the man had not played top grade in a while but he had a dig.
5. Skelton = 4 = As successful as the team was, the only thing that truly sucked about us was him and Maka on one side....never again. My patience has run out with this bloke. His decision making is like Naden from Wish and his defence at wing is not NRL standard. Im happy to have him as a depth winger but he is not starter material when everybody is fit. A shame as the bloke is an athlete.
6. Madden = 7 = Ran the team well, great kicking. He has the team humming well.
7. Doueihi = 9 = He has put a lot of egg on people's faces (including mine). f**k, he looked dangerous today. This is the Adam Doueihi we paid those big bucks for all those years ago. Now he is on less dollars, we are getting more of a reward. This IS our best halves combo. Benji will have a problem once Luai is fit.
8. May = 9 = The beast is back after a slow start to the year. He never stopped running and looked dangerous close to the line. Man, what a gift from the Roosters.
9. Api = 9 = Two solid games from Api on the trot now. The deception was there in all of its glory. Apart from Grant, the smartest hooker in the comp. Let's pray he is not picked at hooker for NSW.....the man does not need that extra workload.
10. Pole = 9 = Things were brewing for him last week I thought. He looked good but had no game time. He was f**king awesome today......I'd say the best game of his career. Lets hope this is onwards and upwards for him.
11. Sam Fainu = 8 = He looked an imposing beast today. Injury cut short his day.......hopefully not too serious.
12. KPP = 7 Bit of a quiet game from him with the ball today....but fortunately, the pack was roaring. Defensively, he did kick ass though.
13. Twal = 9 = Without a doubt, playing the best footy of his career. Thank f**k, he did not go to Manly.

14. Latu Fainu = 5 = He was not bad but had no impact on the game either other than to give Api a breather. Still, every minute will help for him.
15. Sione Fainu = 5 = Minimal impact today.
16. Hunt = 6 = He did a job with a few good runs. A touch below his usual standard though.
17. Seyfarth = 5 = He was ok. He may have to be really switched on next week if Fainu is out.

WIZARDMAN's PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2026 RANKINGS

3 =Doueihi
2 = Turuva
1 = Terrell May (f**k, I wish I could give Pole and Twal a point)

LEADERBOARD
7 = Twal
5 = KPP, Doueihi
3 = Luai, Terrell May
2 = Hunt, Samuela Fainu, Turuva
1. = Sione Fainu

"Sir Alex" rises to the top. Career best form. Jock Madden is a classic half and AD isn't. People are starting to realise that Ad's strength is in his running game and not stuck at first receiver. He roves a lot and often sneaks back under, but he can't replace Alex.

 

[Tigerm]

Key stats:

Sunia Turuva: The winger scored his first hat trick of the season and recorded 188 running metres.

Adam Doueihi: The halfback led the team with 238 running metres and three try assists.

Patrick Herbert: The New Zealander impressed on Club debut with a brilliant try assist, followed up by his first try in Tigers colours.

Tackles: Alex Twal (43) and Kai Pearce-Paul (40) toiled away, leading the side’s tackle count.

Attack: The Tigers lead on all major attacking statistics, including 219 runs for 2,136 metres, 676 of them being post-contact.

The moments:
4th minute: Adam Doueihi fires a wide pass to Sunia Turuva on the right wing, who slides over for the opening try. Jock Madden converts from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.

12th minute: Api Koroisau fakes a pass from dummy half close to the line and darts through to score. Madden converts to extend the lead to 12-0.

16th minute: Patrick Herbert produces a phenomenal offload mid-tackle to find Sunia Turuva on the right edge, who finishes in the corner for his second. The conversion is unsuccessful, with the Tigers leading 16-0.

27th minute: Newcastle hit back on the right edge, with Dom Young scoring his side’s first try. The conversion is missed, narrowing the score to 16-4.


35th minute: From 30 metres out, Herbert breaks down the right, dummies to Turuva and scores on Club debut. Madden adds the two points, pushing the lead to 22-4.

38th minute: Jahream Bula crosses on the right edge just before half-time. Madden converts from out wide, giving the Tigers a 28-4 lead at the break.

53rd minute: Doueihi again finds Turuva with a cut-out pass, completing the winger’s hat-trick in the corner. The conversion is missed, making it 32-4.

58th minute: A Tigers error in-goal allows Dane Gagai to score for Newcastle. Sandon Smith converts, reducing the margin to 32-10.

62nd minute: Turuva keeps the ball in play and passes inside to Bula, who crashes over for his second. The conversion is unsuccessful, with the Tigers ahead 36-10.

65th minute: The Knights defence opens up for Terrell May to score right of the posts. Jock Madden lands the conversion, extending the lead to 42-10.

76th minute: A bomb is collected by fullback Fletcher Hunt, who scores for Newcastle. The conversion is successful, bringing the score to 42-16.

78th minute: Prop Trey Mooney scores under the posts, with Smith converting to complete the scoring in a 42-22 win for the Tigers.

Wests Tigers light up Campbelltown

The Wests Tigers have secured their third straight win of the season, defeating the Newcastle Knights 42-22 in their first game of the year at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[WA Tiger]

Luai’s intro could be the same as Galvins at the dogs..an expensive miscalculation ..and for how long? This will show what Benji's made of .. Bottom line, you can’t drop Madden but Benji may feel obligated to try. I can not wait for this one. Loyalty over common sense?

 

[The Charlatan]

Luai’s intro could be the same as Galvins at the dogs..an expensive miscalculation ..and for how long? This will show what Benji's made of .. Bottom line, you can’t drop Madden but Benji may feel obligated to try. I can not wait for this one. Loyalty over common sense?

May be able to manage this one as a return via the bench. Shouldn't go f**king with a winning team too much but it's rare you leave big money names on the bench or out altogether.

Madden can't be left out, his kicking game gives us so much more potency.

 

[WA Tiger]

May be able to manage this one as a return via the bench. Shouldn't go f**king with a winning team too much but it's rare you leave big money names on the bench or out altogether.

Madden can't be left out, his kicking game gives us so much more potency.

Luai may even offer that as a solution to ease the pressure on Benji ..he can see what’s going on

 

[The Charlatan]

Luai may even offer that as a solution to ease the pressure on Benji ..he can see what’s going on

I guess we'll see how much of a club first man he really is.

 

[WA Tiger]

Luai may even offer that as a solution to ease the pressure on Benji ..he can see what’s going on

Btw good idea re putting Luai on the bench

 

[Tiger Ted]

May be able to manage this one as a return via the bench. Shouldn't go f**king with a winning team too much but it's rare you leave big money names on the bench or out altogether.

Madden can't be left out, his kicking game gives us so much more potency.

It’s glaring that he should return on the bench

 

[Tigerm]

It’s glaring that he should return on the bench

He'll be the first player picked, imo.

 

[Shredder]

I reckon we have ourselves a pretty big pickle, which can define our season here.

Benji will share a very clear message when the team selections goes live tomorrow.

 

[Nutz]

@Tigerm Yep I doubt he'll return via the bench.
An MCL isn't season ending compared to an ACL and I've never seen the logic in playing someone in reserves when coming back from injury. Footy is footy. In fact, a lot of players risk further injury when there's less at stake.
Just before he got injured, Luai was starting to hit his straps.
The biggest issue is Madden is a ½ and we have two running five eights.
For me, it's Jock at ½, Luai at ⅝, and AD and May in the centres. I haven't been overly rapt with To'a in reserves. He might as well stay there until he can't be left out. You have to own one's selection now that we have options.
Wings should be Skelton and Turuva with Bula at the back. Apart from an in goal brain snap, Skelton had some good moments and offers a physical presence needed against teams like the Broncos.
The reason I've gone with this backline is it won't effect the attacking shapes we've been successful with recently. This all depends on whose available and who trains and gels well with teammates.
I think Herbert will be effective covering for Turuva too. He plays well on the right.
This backline probably negates the need to carry Latu on the bench if Benji wants to go with a bigger mobile pack, maybe giving Afoa a run to spell our middles.

 

[Tiger05]

7. Doueihi = 9 = He has put a lot of egg on people's faces (including mine). f**k, he looked dangerous today. This is the Adam Doueihi we paid those big bucks for all those years ago. Now he is on less dollars, we are getting more of a reward. This IS our best halves combo. Benji will have a problem once Luai is fit.

I can't see Madden remaining in the team. It's also hard to argue that Madden has given us that stable level headed consistent play making and general kicking that AD and Luai haven't provided.

 

[Shredder]

Im with you Nutz, I think this is exactly what we should be running.

Will see what Benji does.....