Wests Tigers Chairman Lee Hagipantelis was left “heartbroken” after Tigers fans booed the team at half-time of Sunday’s 34-30 loss to North Queensland.
Fans packed out Leichhardt Oval to play tribute to Wests legend Tommy Raudonikis after his passing last week in what was a special day for the club.
The occasion soon turned sour as the bumper crowd turned on the playing group as the side trailed 28-6 at the main break.
Hagipantelis understands the frustration from fans and he told SEN 1170 Breakfast that he never thought he’d see club supporters turn on the side at their home ground.
“Heartbroken, gut-wrenched, I never thought I’d see that at Leichhardt Oval,” Hagipentelis said.
“(There was) everything to play for, sunny Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt, a packed house and a tribute game to Tommy (Raudonikis).
“Every box was ticked, but not the (first) 40 minutes that we expected.”
While the Tigers rallied in the second half to come close by full-time, coach Michael Maguire said the fans reaction “hurt” post-match.
“It hurt,” Maguire said.
“Fans are riding this with us. It was a special day today and I understand that and players understand that, so it was tough to take.”
Following defeat Maguire has dropped Jacob Liddle and moved Zane Musgrave to the bench as he hopes for a turnaround against South Sydney.
The Tigers will aim to turn their season around with a win against the Rabbitohs at Stadium Australia on Saturday afternoon.