The perennially embattled Wests Tigers had not won a game all season and the knives were again out for Michael Maguire.
Then came an instantly famous win.
Maguire’s men went stride for stride with western Sydney rivals the Parramatta Eels – widely tipped to make the top four – for 79 minutes and 54 seconds, before a 38m field goal from the enigmatic Jackson Hastings clinched a 21-20 victory.
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Hastings’ teammates ambushed the Tigers recruit in the middle of the CommBank Stadium turf and a monumental weight lifted from the shoulders of Maguire, the most scrutinised coach in the NRL ecstatic in his box.
For the first time in what must seem like an eternity, Maguire won’t have to field questions for the next week about what another defeat means for his future at Concord.
But in true Wests Tigers style, they didn’t carve out victory without testing the nerves of their under-fire coach and long-suffering supporters in a way that only Wests Tigers can.
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Parramatta centre Marata Niukore crossed for a try in the 69th minute to level the scores at 20-all, Tigers fans slumping as an all-too-familiar doomsday scenario threatened to rear its head.
The hearts of the Tigers faithful were in their mouths as Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, mercilessly poached from their beloved club after the 2017 season, sent a field goal attempt soaring toward the posts from about 27m out in the 79th minute.
On so many occasions moments like that had cruelled the Tigers, but this time they were spared, Moses’ kick fading to the right.
The Tigers then marched the ball straight up the middle of the park and, on the fifth tackle of the set, Hastings’ heroics ensued.
“He got it! He got it!” said Fox League caller Dan Ginnane.
“Jackson Hastings wins the game and the rugby league gods finally shine on Michael Maguire and the Wests Tigers.”
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