The Macarthur Wests Tigers have sought redemption in the Laurie Daley Cup with a thrilling 40-22 extra-time win in the Grand Final at Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium.
After going down to the Illawarra South Coast Dragons last year, the Tigers have now cemented their own history taking out the premiership for the first time. The Tigers are just the second team to claim both the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup in the same season along with the 2021 Central Coast Roosters.
The Titans were first to knock the try-scoring door down, with a fourth-minute try to second rower Jack Thornton. But the Tigers were quick to bounce back, producing three unanswered tries to lock in an 18-6 half-time lead. In a thrilling second half, the Titans steered a late comeback scoring three consecutive tries to level the score-line and send the game into extra-time. The Tigers managed to take control in the 10 minutes of extra-time as they carried out the victory.
“You don’t get into Grand Finals on a fluke, the Titans gave it to us and they were relentless,” Wests Tigers coach Daniel Milford said post-game.
“They came back and they put us to the test. I am just so glad our boys were prepared.”
In Titans style, they got points on the board early. Second-rower Jack Thornton found the try-line after a last-play kick from five-eighth Trei Heterick rebounded perfectly off the Tigers' defence and into the hands of Thornton who cruised over the try-line for the first four points of the Grand Final. Heterick converted the try locking in an early 6-0 lead.
After both teams were reduced to 12-men with players in the sin bin, the Tigers found a way to break through the defensive line. Lock Kye Penfold’s sudden change in direction saw him shudder defenders as he ran straight and strong, diving under the posts. Drake Ayers added the extras as scores were levelled 6-all.
The Tigers stole the lead in the 22nd minute with a strong run from prop Daniel Lafolafo. Edging dangerously close to the line, Lafolafo ran straight into the defence before spinning out of their grip for the four points. Ayers’ conversion extended their lead further to 12-6.
Just four minutes later, a clinical Tigers attack saw them bring the ball back into the Titans’ red zone. Penfold’s right foot step was the key to his first half double as he wrestled to get the ball down. Another successful conversion put the Tigers in control with 18-unanswered points to end the first half.
Opening the second half under pressure in defence, the Tigers held their ground not letting anyone through to the try-line. A penalty followed by a line-break from second-rower Jake Gaffney, saw them rack up some attacking metres for themselves. A perfectly placed kick from dummy-half by Keynan Pes saw the ball bounce straight back into his hands as he crossed the line, carrying the Tigers' momentum into the second half, 22-6.
A 75-metre effort from the Titans saw them find their first points in 52 minutes. It all began in the hands of Heterick who made a break down the short side before offloading it to fullback Ryder Nelson, who won the race down the sideline to score. Just minutes later the Titans continued their comeback with a desperate last play. Passing from the right wing all the way out to the left, it was the competition's leading try-scorer Rex Savage who narrowly scored in the corner to bring is team back into the game. Ethan Alcorn took over kicking duties to bring the score 22-16.
The Titans weren’t finished yet as a powerful Aiden Gersh forced himself over the line. Alcorn converted to tie the game 22-all and keep their premiership hopes alive. A penalty in favour of the Titans, not far out from their line saw them take the two points – only for the kick to be waved away, sending the game into extra-time.
After an enormous comeback for the Titans, the Tigers regained their momentum, coming out in extra-time to score four unanswered tries. James Lanyon, Jordan Truckle, Drake Ayers, and Jake Gaffney all crossed the line as the Macarthur Wests Tigers gripped the Laurie Daley Cup with both hands.
“Believe it or not, we spoke about being prepared to play for 80 minutes in our prep,” Milford said.
“We have never had to play 80 minutes, but we just said that we were going to be in this game for 80 minutes whether we would be celebrating or in extra-time.
“I am just so happy with the double, Andrew Johns Cup and now Laurie Daley Cup, and to be able to set this precedent and a new benchmark.
“I feel like we have really dominated with both teams going undefeated and I am just really happy to celebrate with the boys.”
