The Wests Tigers have sent departing stars Aaron Woods and James Tedesco out as winners following a 28-16 NRL victory over the Warriors on Sunday.
In the final game of the NRL regular season, Woods spearheaded a 12-point victory over the listless Warriors in front of 10,231 rowdy fans at Leichhardt Oval.
Woods ran for 212 metres and made 39 tackles in a 73-minute effort ahead of his move to Canterbury next season.
The win allowed the joint-venture to end their tumultuous season, which included the sacking of coach Jason Taylor and the departure of half Mitchell Moses depart mid-year, on a high. They also jumped the Gold Coast into 14th spot on the ladder.
The match never really reached any great heights however the Tigers produced a late contender for try of the year when they went the length of the field through Tui Lolohea in the 33rd minute.
The movement started in their own in-goal when Malakai Watene-Zelezniak split the Warriors’ defensive line before finding Sydney Roosters-bound Tedesco, who sent Lolohea under the posts.
The Warriors were without star halves Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson, however questions will be asked of coach Stephen Kearney after his side notched just seven wins despite having a squad loaded with international talent.
After the Tigers took a 16-6 lead into halftime, the Warriors’ effort was summed up when the ball was allowed to roll several metres across their own tryline following a Luke Brooks loose pass with winger Kevin Naiqama allowed to grab his double.
Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck got a deserved try off a neat set play and the visitors had a chance to reduce the margin to just four. However David Fusitua knocked on trying to ground a Mason Lino grubber.
The Tigers closed out the match, with David Nofoaluma sealing the win in the 74th minute. A consolation Warriors try came in the 78th but it was in vain.
The Tigers blooded Jeremy Marshall-King, the half brother of Benji Marshall, who was in the Leichhardt crowd. He is set to return to his former club in 2018.
