Raiders run riot as Tigers’ turmoil deepens in Canberra
Sebastian Tan |
Coach Benji Marshall concedes the Wests Tigers’ headline-riddled period has been one of the toughest things he’s had to endure.
The joint-venture club were again thrust into the spotlight midweek after star half Adam Doueihi sensationally decided not to play in Saturday’s NRL clash, won 56-10 to a razzle-dazzle Canberra side at GIO Stadium, after the coach moved him to lock.
The 27-year-old’s decision only amplified concerns over whether Marshall has lost touch with his locker room, and came as his side needed to claim a crucial victory in the nation’s capital to keep their hopes of making the finals for the first time since 2011 alive.
But the Tigers’ (7-12) sixth-straight defeat means they can no longer post a winning record, all but ending their hopes of reaching the post-season.
“It (this period) has been the toughest thing I’ve been through. I’m human too. I’ve got feelings. I’ve got kids who feel it,” Marshall said.
“There’s a lot of things going on, a lot of noise, and that’s probably not helping us.”
But Marshall admitted he was surprised by Doueihi’s decision, labelling it tough to deal with.
“For Adam, I can understand his disappointment around me asking him to play a different role … he just wasn’t in a good headspace to play,” the coach said.
All eyes were on Javon Andrews as he made his debut in Doueihi’s halfback jersey, and the 19-year-old impressed Marshall with the boot, while recording 31 tackles.
Canberra (9-10), buoyed by a three-game winning streak which has sparked their campaign into life, edged closer towards the top eight after halfback Ethan Sanders hit new heights with four try assists, two linebreaks and a hefty 20 points.
Corey Horsburgh was also prolific, posting a try assist and 35 tackles, despite the Raiders missing star back-rowers Hudson Young (Achilles) and Noah Martin (quad).
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart confirmed Martin’s niggle would take some time to heal and it comes weeks after he returned from a double syndesmosis injury.
“It was a win we had to have … Having it like that is just the icing on the cake,” Stuart said.
“I was sitting on the sideline there in the first half, thinking to myself, we’re doing exactly the opposite to what we did in the first eight to 10 weeks of the season (where we) gave away poor, undisciplined penalties.”
Soaring winger Jed Stuart drew first blood for the home side, but Wests hit back through Ethan Roberts when he burst through a hole and scored in the 11th minute.
Sanders reinstated Canberra’s lead after going on a blistering run, before five-eighth Ethan Strange danced over the line.
Centre Simi Sasagi tore through the visitors’ defence soon after and handed it off to a speedy Kaeo Weekes, before winger Xavier Savage added his name to the scoresheet to help the Raiders lead 28-6.
Minutes before the break, a lofting ball from fullback Jahream Bula to Faaletino Tavana gave the away side a glimmer of hope.
But their dreams were shattered as former Tiger Daine Laurie crashed over three times, before Jed Stuart and centre Matt Timoko grabbed four-pointers to complete the drubbing.
AAP