West Tigers

Tigers too good for struggling Eels

Having failed to score over 10 points in their previous three games, Ivan Cleary's side cut loose in attack to bounce back from their golden-point loss to Brisbane Broncos last time out.

The Eels opened the scoring when Will Smith caught a high kick by Mitchell Moses before diving over, with the successful conversion making it 6-0 to the visitors.

However, inspired by half-back pairing Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall, the Tigers roared back with 20 unanswered points in the remainder of the first half.

I was unwanted at Wests Tigers: Marshall

Marshall starred in his first game back for the Tigers in Saturday's upset win over the Sydney Roosters, his first game for the club since leaving for Super Rugby club the Auckland Blues at the end of 2013.

It was originally understood Marshall's departure came about following a contract dispute over a potential extension at the club, but the playmaker revealed on Sunday he was left unwanted by the Tigers' previous administration.

Marshall backs Lolohea at No 1

Marshall described Lolohea as being Tonga's second-best player, only behind powerhouse forward Jason Taumalolo, during their dream RLWC campaign which ended in Saturday's heart-breaking semifinal loss to England.

Playing at five-eighth, Lolohea guided Mate Ma'a Tonga to within touching distance of a dream finals appearance.

While his kicking, fifth-tackle options and game management was sometimes lacking during the RLWC, his explosiveness and game-breaking ability was on show.

Idris announces surprise retirement

Idris took a break from the sport in 2016 but returned with Wests Tigers this year, though an anterior cruciate ligament injury ended his season in May.

He featured for New South Wales in the opening game of the 2010 State of Origin series and his sole appearance for the Kangaroos came in the 2011 Anzac Test against New Zealand.

In a statement on his Instagram page, Idris wrote: "Thank you all for sharing this game and journey with me unfortunately due to injury it's ended my time at 27 in this great game.

Eels clinch thrilling win over Tigers

The inaugural Stay Kind Cup, supporting the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, was a frantic and end-to-end affair right through the 80 minutes.

The Tigers led 12-10 at one stage halfway through the second half on the back of three straight penalty goals despite trailing two tries to one, but their conservatism eventually proved costly as a 77th-minute Corey Norman field goal edged the enterprising Eels in front for a win that moves them to 26 competition points and possibly needing just two wins from their final six matches to seal a finals berth.

Sue facing a one-week ban

Sue was cited for dangerous contact, and with a prior similar offence and a prior non-similar offence in the past two years, as well as 71 carry-over points, the forward would be suspended for a week with an early guilty plea, narrowly avoiding a two-week ban.

Manly prop Darcy Lussick was also charged with contrary conduct and faces a $1,350 fine if he takes an early guilty plea.

Tigers and Eels unite for suicide awareness

This initiative is in honour of the Kelly family, who tragically lost two sons –Thomas and Stuart – four years apart.

Then-18-year-old Thomas was the victim of coward-punch killer Kieran Loveridge in Kings Cross in 2012; Stuart took his own life one year ago, also at the age of 18, after not only losing his brother but having to deal with the fallout including being victimised over the State Government's introduction of lockout laws in the wake of the initial tragedy.

Titans desperate to rediscover winning feeling

The only team to have defeated the two Telstra Premiership front-runners in the Storm and Sharks – not to mention being a well-executed kick from knocking off fourth-placed Brisbane – the Titans are in danger of vying for the wooden spoon rather than the top eight should they lose a fifth game on the trot this week.

It was only a month ago that Gold Coast had pushed into the top eight on the back of three consecutive wins and while that proved they could match it with the top teams, the way back is through energy and effort.

McIlwrick re-signs with Wests Tigers

The new deal will see McIlwrick remain with Wests Tigers until at least the end of the 2019 season.

Since arriving at Wests Tigers earlier this year, McIlwrick has played every game for the club so far this season — cementing himself as the starting hooker on every occasion.

The crafty hooker has played 14 games for Wests Tigers in 2017, taking his career total to 43 games since making his first-grade debut for the Canberra Raiders in 2012.

The 26-year-old said he was delighted to be able to remain with Wests Tigers for the next two seasons.

Tigers confirm Lolohea signed

Lolohea has signed a deal with the Tigers through to the end of the National Rugby 2019 season after playing just 53 first grade games over three seasons for the Warriors.

While he partnered Shaun Johnson in the halves last season under former head coach Andrew McFadden, Lolohea fell out of favour with the Warriors current head coach Stephen Kearney.

Early on in the season it was clear Lolohea would struggle for game time in the first grade with Kieran Foran joining Johnson in the halves and captain Roger Tuivasa Sheck the number one choice at fullback.