Wests Tigers win 25-24 over Roosters with 79th-minute field goal

Wests Tigers beat Sydney Roosters 25-24 on Sunday with a 79th-minute field goal by Jock Madden. The win snapped the Tigers’ eight-game losing streak and left the Roosters, who were third on the ladder, unable to secure a top-two finish.

Match Highlights

The game was played at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday, with Wests Tigers entering as 10-out-of-10 outsiders. Benji Marshall’s side, led by co-captain Api Koroisau, had to overcome early setbacks, including the loss of prop Alex Twal to a head knock within the first minute. Despite the setback, the Tigers quickly found rhythm, with Billy Smith scoring early and Patrick Herbert setting up winger Jeral Skelton for a try before the 26th minute.

The Roosters responded with a try from Solomone Saukuru and a 40/20 from Koroisau, giving Wests a 15-point lead that they defended for most of the second half. Sam Walker’s conversion of a Roosters penalty in the final minutes pulled the score to 24-24, setting the stage for the decisive moment.

Key Moments

In the 79th minute, Jock Madden calmly kicked a field goal from the 25-meter line, giving Wests Tigers a 25-24 lead that proved decisive. Madden had missed the previous month due to a haematoma in his lower body, making the late kick all the more remarkable. The Roosters’ lock Victor Radley was taken off for a concussion assessment after a head knock, and the Tigers had no time to respond.

Wests Tigers’ coach Benji Marshall praised the team’s effort, noting that the club had “probably one of our best wins we’ve had.” The win also ended the Tigers’ finals hopes, which had already been extinguished months earlier.

Ladder Implications

The result has significant consequences for the NRL ladder. The Roosters, who were third with 38 points and a +162 points differential, now sit behind the Warriors (38 points, +295) and Penrith (38 points, +294). With two rounds remaining, the Roosters’ loss means they can no longer secure a top-two finish, while the Warriors move to the top of the table by a single points-difference.

Wests Tigers, who were 10-out-of-10 outsiders, will not be able to climb the ladder, but the victory remains one of the season’s biggest upsets. The win also highlights the unpredictable nature of the NRL, where a single moment can change the fortunes of a team.

The match was a showcase of resilience and timing, with Wests Tigers’ late field goal proving decisive. The Roosters will need to regroup quickly if they hope to remain in contention for a top-four spot.