Fresh off a $40 million funding package, Leichhardt Oval was the scene of raucous celebration as Wests Tigers fans celebrated the side ending a nine-match losing streak.
The Tigers put forward a brilliant second half performance to defeat the Titans 18-10 after trailing 10-6 at the break.
“They (the fans) are going berserk here … they are absolutely going berserk, the home fans getting behind their team,” league great Mick Ennis said on Fox League with five minutes remaining.
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The Gold Coast started strong when Jojo Fifita went over in the fifth minute before Tigers centre Justin Olam hit back not long after to even it up at 6-6.
Titans half Jayden Campbell then delivered the lead back for his side after a Kieran Foran line break in the 19th minute.
The away side then held on for a 10-6 lead at half-time.
It wasn’t until the 60th minute when the Tigers went to the front with Olam scoring his second of the afternoon at 12-10.
The final blow to the Titans came when Fonua Pole put the result beyond doubt, going over in the 77th minute to deliver an 18-10 victory for the Tigers.
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In a week when the Tigers dominated the headlines after Lachie Galvin’s release request and the saving of Leichhardt Oval, captain Apisai Koroisau was full of praise for the club’s fans.
“There was so much going on this week, so many young guys debuting, so good to get the win for them and obviously thankful to everyone at Leichhardt coming out, it’s one of the best grounds in the world,” he told Fox League.
“… There’s something about Leichhardt, these suburban grounds, the noise, these fans they really ride you especially when you’re doing well, it’s not even the tries they go for, they love all the big hits and all the energy plays so it’s great.”