The Sea Eagles ensured fan favourite Jake Trbojevic celebrated his 200th NRL game in style with a dominant 54-12 victory over the Wests Tigers on Friday night.
Despite a disappointing end to the season, having fallen out of finals contention, Anthony Seibold's side gave their home fans something to cheer about in the final round with young guns Tolutau Koula and Haumole Olakau'atu running riot and making a big statement for the 2024 season.
Trbojevic made it a milestone match to remember when he went over in the 57th minute for his first try since Round 22 last season, thanks to star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
In early worrying signs for the Wests Tigers, it took just 39 seconds for the home side to open the scoring when Olakau'atu exploded through a hole to put Koula through on the right edge.
After Brad Parker fumbled another opportunity over the line, the Wests Tigers hit back when a set restart handed them their first attacking opportunity and hooker Api Koroisau darted over to level the scores 6-6.
Apisai Koroisau Try
Come the 16th minute and Koula made it a double thanks to a Ben Trbojevic linebreak in the previous play to put the Sea Eagles back in the lead 12-6.
The Sea Eagles extended their lead by ten when prolific winger Jason Saab ran in back-to-back tries on the right edge.
Jason Saab Try
The Sea Eagles had their fifth try of the first half when Olakau'atu turned provider again, plucking a Jacob Arthur kick before finding Ethan Bullemor in support to score his first try of the season and hand the home side a 26-6 lead at the break.
The second-half turned into a try scoring blitz with Olakau'atu getting one of his own before milestone man Trbojevic was gifted a try on his 200th match thanks to some nice lead up work from Cherry-Evans.
With a 32-point lead, the Sea Eagles were in full flight late in the second half and started giving away tries for fun with rookies Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega and Gordon Chan Kum Tong next to cross the stripe.
After tipping one off earlier to Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans scooted from hooker and muscled his way over to stretch the lead 54-6.
Winger Asu Kepaoa scored a consolation try in the 70th minute but it made little difference to lighten the blow as the Wests Tigers Round 27 defeat handed them their second consecutive wooden spoon after another disappointing season.
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Match Snapshot
- Wests Tigers centre Triston Reilly left the field in the 32nd minute and did not return after suffering a suspected medial injury.
- Manly backrower Ben Trbojevic left the field in the 43rd minute for a head injury assessment and did not return after suffering a Category 1 head knock.
- Belinda Sharpe made officiating history as the first female to referee in the NRL under the single referee system.
A special reception for Jake
- Jake Trbojevic became the 18th player to play 200 games for the Sea Eagles. The hard running lock was immense in the milestone match with 36 tackles and 12 run.
- Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal got through a ton of work in the No. 8 jersey with 36 tackles and 113 run metres off 15 hit ups.
- Daly Cherry-Evans has scored 15 tries in 20 games against Wests Tigers - his best efforts against any club.
- The Sea Eagles have now won seven of their past eight matches against Wests Tigers.
Play of the Game
Jake Trbojevic's 57th minute try had all of 4 Pines Park on their feet as the Kangaroos forward crossed the line for the first time since Round 22 last season.
Usually it's the hard-running lock forward doing all the hard work and gifting tries to the backs. But this time it was halfback Cherry-Evans who broke the line and ducked and weaved his way over the stripe before finding the 200-gamer to score.
Jake Trbojevic Try
What They Said
"From the start of the game we were off. From the first set where they scored that set the tone and I gave the boys a bit of credit for getting back into it but they pulled us apart for the whole game. What I will say with this group is they have stuck together through a tough time...the positive bit for us is we were able to give a couple of young kids a look into first grade. - Wests Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall
Wests Tigers: Round 27
"It was really pleasing to see the guys finish the season with some really good attack tonight, particularly in Jake's 200th game. Obviously we wanted to be playing next week...but I think it's been a year of growth. The group is really connected and I feel like we took some steps forward and found what our best footy looks like on both sides of the ball." - Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold
Sea Eagles: Round 27
What's Next
With the season officially finished for both teams, all eyes will now be on preparing for 2024.
The Wests Tigers will have a new head coach in Benji Marshall, with Manly brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu joining Dragons playmaker Jayden Sullivan as their major signings.
Meanwhile, after coming head-to-head in Round 27 the Sea Eagles will welcome Wests Tigers Luke Brooks and Tommy Talau into their squad next year as well as Roosters gun Jaxson Paulo.