Wests Tigers will celebrate the unique milestone of 200 years of history in the centenary year of rugby league in 2008.
Whilst the game of rugby league marks its centenary, Wests Tigers history of 100 years of Balmain Tigers and 100 years of Western Suburbs Magpies sees the club celebrate a combined history of 200 years.
No other NRL club can lay claim to this unique position.
As part of Wests Tigers 200 years of history celebrations, the club has planned a number of big events, on and off the field.
Two games at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground are just part of the exciting initiatives Wests Tigers have planned for next season. Wests Tigers will release other significant events as the season progresses.
Prior to the season kick-off, Wests Tigers and fellow foundation club, the Sydney Roosters, will go head-to-head in the second annual Foundation Cup match at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday, February 23.
Three weeks later, Wests Tigers will play the first of two blockbuster home games at the SCG.
The first highlight match will be against St George-Illawarra Dragons in the opening round of the Telstra Premiership (March 14-16).
Round six sees Wests Tigers return to the SCG to play foundation club South Sydney as part of the NRL Heritage Round, which marks the anniversary of the first ever premiership round on April 20, 1908.
To be held over the weekend of April 18-21, Wests Tigers and South Sydney players will wear commemorative heritage jerseys.
The return to the SCG gives supporters the chance to reminisce about the glory days of Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Tigers won 11 first grade premierships in 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1924, 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947 and 1969.
Balmain finished the 1915 season as undefeated premiers under captain-coach Bill Kelly before beating Souths 5-3 in front of 7000 people at the SCG.
The Tigers went on to capture their third consecutive premiership in 1917. Although Souths ended the straight run in 1918, the Tigers bounced back to take the premiership in 1919 and 1920.
In 1924, Balmain beat South Sydney 3-0 at the SCG in the first match to be broadcast on radio. It took the Tigers until 1939 to win their next premiership, a 33-4 victory over Souths at the SCG.
The 1940s saw the Balmain Tigers dominate with premiership victories in 44, 46 and 47. Coached by Latchem Robinson, the 1944 team beat Newtown 12-8 in the grand final before a fiery 13-12 win over St George saw the Tigers take the title in 1946.
A year later, Balmain won their third premiership in four years with a 13-9 victory over Canterbury.
The 1969 grand final remains as one of the greatest upsets in the game when Balmain overcame defending premiers and a red hot Souths team to win 11-2.
As for Western Suburbs, they too have a proud history at the SCG, winning premierships in 1930, 1934, 1948 and 1952.
The Magpies defeated St George 27-2 in the 1930 grand final and Easts 15-12 in the 1934 decider.
In 1948, the Magpies defeated Balmain 8-5 in the grand final while in 1952, Wests beat Souths 21-15 in the season decider after the Rabbitohs won the premiership in 1950 and 1951.
Wests lost to St George 22-0 in the 1961 grand final and 9-6 in the 62 grand final.
St George beat Wests 8-3 in the mud in the 1963 grand final, now famous for the image of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons embracing at the end of the game.
