Voss wants Tigers to reprimand players over vulgar gesture

SEN’s Andrew Voss has called on the Wests Tigers to come down hard on their players following a controversial celebration in the side’s 28-14 upset win over the Bulldogs on Sunday.

After Samuela Fainu scored the match-sealing try for the Tigers, he and a number of his teammates gave a gesture to the crowd which has since been revealed as the Arab equivalent of the middle finger. The NRL integrity unit were made aware of the incident by the Bulldogs.

Voss is adamant that any offensive gesture made by players must be stamped out and he was left staggered that the club has remained silent on the issue.

“What happens if a player just flips the bird to the crowd? Would the NRL take action to that? 100% they would,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“What sport in the world wouldn’t (sanction a player).

“What are the Tigers’ players thinking and where are their heads at?

“If you’re a sponsor, is that how you want the club to represent you?

“Should the Tigers have waited for the NRL to take action? Or should the Tigers have got on the front foot and said that ‘we don’t stand for that.’

“I believe they should’ve taken action on their players straight away and told them to pull their heads in.”

Veteran broadcaster Matt Russell believes the incident has taken away from a famous victory for the Tigers.

Additionally, Russell acknowledged that the gesture was a spur of the moment decision rather than a planned celebration.

“It’s great theatre (but) as soon as you throw it (an obscene gesture), you are inviting trouble,” Russell said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“You are inviting a story that will distract from a great Tigers performance.

“I know that (in the moment), you are adrenaline-fuelled and emotions are running high.

“When you look back and calm down, you would think that this whole incident is very unfortunate.”

The NRL has previously fined players for obscenities. Most recently, Warriors forward Kane Evans was handed a $5000 fine for a message on his wrist tape that read “fold some c***.”

In 2025, the AFL have had a number of players give the middle finger to sections of the crowd. West Coast’s Harley Reid, Geelong’s Bailey Smith and Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan have all been fined $1000 for the gesture whilst Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick received a $2000 fine.