Written by Daily Telegraph | 31 August 2010
Posted in First Grade - News & Views

ANOTHER part of rugby league's foundation folklore is set to be buried, with Wests Tigers getting closer to combining their stand-alone NSW Cup feeder sides next season.

In the face of long-held reservations from head coach Tim Sheens, the joint venture have preserved Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs as separate entities in the second tier.

While practically minded officials argue a secondary merger would save unnecessary duplication and stop contracted players having to play against each other, sentiment has prevailed since Wests Tigers were formed a decade ago.

But the prevailing mood among Balmain and Wests directors is shifting towards a common-sense approach promoted by the parent club and its new CEO Stephen Humphreys.

"Having two NSW Cup sides is not desirable from our point of view because it pits our players against one another, rather than having them on the same team," Humphreys said.

"Having two sides also means we spend twice as much at NSW Cup level and there is a desire to divert some of that finding to our junior league."

Balmain and Wests are currently reviewing their positions but don't expect an answer for another few weeks yet.

Source

Written by Willow | 30 August 2010
Posted in First Grade - News & Views

Round 25 of the Telstra NRL premiership saw the Wests Tigers return to Leichhardt Oval for their final home match of 2010 to take on the salary cap cheating Melbourne Storm. The Tigers were playing for a top 2 finish while the Storm were playing for pride only. Coming off the back of an impressive 20-18 win over the Eels last week, the Tigers entered this match boosted by the return of specialist fullback Wade McKinnon, however this was tempered by the loss of backrower Liam Fulton who was ruled out with a bad cork and replaced by the man who boasts arguably the best 6-pack in the NRL, Mark Flanagan who moved to the bench with Simon Dwyer promoted to the starting side. The Storm were also dealt a big blow, losing 5/8 Brett Finch to a hand injury, strike centre Greg Inglis and damaging backrower/centre Sika Manu.

Greeted with perfect sunny conditions and a full house at Leichhardt, just how would the Tigers go about their business today?

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Written by Sydney Morning Herald | 27 August 2010
Posted in First Grade - News & Views

THE NRL has dangled the carrot of a cash payment to Wests Tigers to stage a home final at the SFS rather than their suburban spiritual homes at Leichhardt and Campbelltown.

The Tigers can secure a home final with a win over Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, after which the club will have to decide whether to potentially forgo a home advantage in favour of a bigger crowd, and bigger gate receipts.

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Written by TVNZ | 27 August 2010
Posted in First Grade - News & Views

McKinnon sees light at end of the tunnel League Tigers Injuries and a change of clubs have so far combined to make 2010 an NRL season to forget for Wests Tigers fullback Wade McKinnon.

But finally back from a hamstring problem, McKinnon now has the chance to make this year the best of his career.

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