The Wests Tigers have beaten the Canterbury Bulldogs 46-18 in a sensational game of Sunday afternoon football.
This was a really good game of footy with a lot of attacking football being played. There are probably two reasons why people will remember this game for a long time though…
Firstly, this game saw a number of the Wests Tigers youngsters stand tall and really take control of the entire game.
Luke Brooks played well beyond his years in this game. He is the best 19 year old halfback I have ever seen. He shows a great sense of timing when it comes to knowing when he needs to take things over and when he needs to just guide the team around the park. His kicking game is getting better all the time and I can’t help but think this young man will be pushing for State Of Origin contention next season no matter how well other halfbacks are playing.
Mitchell Moses was another Wests Tigers youngster that had a fantastic game. Despite carrying a bit of an injury Moses finally showed that spark he had in the lower grades. He wasn’t afraid to grab this game by the scruff of the neck and he worked so well with Luke Brooks throughout the entire match. This was Mitchell Moses moment…he arrived as a first grade footballer today. It was great to see.
Throw in Curtis Sironen and Martin Taupau and it was just a great game for all of the Tigers youngsters. Taupau in particular is a forward I love to watch. He really takes on the opposition every single week. He knows that as a forward his job is to go out there and not just make tackles or chew up meters, but to have an impact while doing so. He belts an opposition and brings real fire to what was once a soft Wests Tigers forward pack.
The other thing this game will be remembered for is the four try performance by Keith Lulia.
It is always great to see the type of player that Lulia is get another chance in first grade and to have a moment like this. To go from club to club looking for an opportunity and to then find yourself in the record books on a great Sunday afternoon performance, it is a great reward for perseverance.
The Bulldogs looked off in this game. At times they looked like they would just steamroll the Tigers but to the Tigers credit they stepped up and started causing all sorts of havoc for the Bulldogs defense.
I’ve liked the way the Bulldogs have been playing over the last couple of months. They have felt as though they are building nicely towards the finals. I have a feeling this is a loss that the Bulldogs needed to have. They needed to be reminded that even a team they should have beaten well can come out and put the cleaners through them. I have no doubt Des Hasler will be reminding of this game for the rest of the season!
I don’t think Bulldogs supporters have too much to worry about. They’ll get a few players back closer to the finals and they’ll be one of the teams to beat.
It is always great when you watch a game and you see a young player step up and you just know…NOW he’s a first grader. To have so many of those moments in this game was fantastic to watch.
The future looks very exciting for the Wests Tigers.
great game. love watching these young tigers when they’re on song. was at leichhardt when they ambushed my sea eagles earlier this season and if the front office backs potter they will put the cleaners through a few more sides yet.
Yeah they will. That win was powered by their youngsters. It was a great moment for the club. You’d think Potter’s job HAS to be safe now!