Tigers bank on miracle

INSIDE the Wests Tigers’ team room at Concord this week there was a simple message written for players as they attempt to defy the NRL’s mathematical logic.

“We didn’t come this far to only come this far,” the whiteboard read.

Tigers players don’t need any motivation, they know their season is on the line against Manly tonight at Campbelltown. And then tomorrow night when the Warriors play Penrith. And again on Saturday when Brisbane clashes with the Sydney Roosters.

Because not only must the early-season fairytale story win their final two games of the season against the Sea Eagles and Souths, but they need either the Warriors or Broncos to drop both of their final two-round matches.

Never in the NRL era has a team come from the Tigers’ position — of two wins outside the finals — with two weeks to go and made the top eight. Put simply, the Tigers need a minor rugby league miracle.

“You get to the end of the season and you get what you deserve,” coach Ivan Cleary said. “We get to play first so all we can do now is prepare to play our best footy.

“The situation is in our hands right now so that’s all we can concentrate on and see how the weekend plays out.”

The Tigers trail the Warriors by 45 points in the for-andagainst department, and they must make up 54 points if they want to topple the Broncos.