The Wests Tigers have their first winning record since Round 7 2020 after a thrilling 17-16 win over the Parramatta Eels on Easter Monday at CommBank Stadium.
The Tigers were down 14-6 midway through the second half and were staring down another defeat after five-eighth Lachlan Galvin was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle.
SEN’s Cameron Smith praised the Tigers for their resilience and commitment to sticking with their game plan which ultimately got them a crucial win.
“You don’t have to have the most brilliant side on paper,” Smith told SENQ.
“They don’t have the best team in the competition but they’ve stuck to their game plan and competed for the 80 minutes which got them the win.
“Did they get home by the skin of their teeth? Yes. Parramatta also had an opportunity to win the match at the death.
“(Api Koroisau) is an example because he has been leading from the front.
“He’s been playing so well (and) his runs from dummy half and competing for loose balls on the ground forced some turnovers which got his side into the position of possibly winning the match.
“It’s fantastic and great to see a guy who has won premierships, played international football and played State of Origin and he’s at a club that is building for the future.
“He’s taken on board what Benji Marshall has asked for and said to his teammates to 'follow me'.”
Another standout performer for the Tigers on Monday was former Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam who fell out of favour of his former club and the PNG national side last season.
Smith said it was great to see his former teammate return to form after a disappointing end at Melbourne.
“He’s back and it’s great to see,” Smith said of Olam.
“It was a shame how he finished the way I believed he would’ve wanted to finish.
“He ended up playing a lot in reserve grade but it looks like he has some renewed energy going to the Tigers.
“That’s sometimes what players need. A new environment, new faces and new messages.
“He’s back to his damaging best as he’s running hard, hitting hard, chasing the ball and scoring tries.”
The Tigers travel to Suncorp Stadium in Round 5 to take on the Dolphins on Saturday night.