SYDNEY ROOSTERS 24 WESTS TIGERS 25
TOM SMITH, Allianz Stadium, Sunday

JOCK MADDEN’S 79th-minute field-goal sealed the upset of the year for the Tigers over the Roosters, turning the minor premiership race on its head.

Sam Walker’s stunning try then penalty-goal squared the scores with five minutes to play, but Madden stepped up from 30 metres out to clinch the game with a minute remaining – a relief for the halfback after missing three conversion attempts in the first half.

This boil-over betrayed drastically different form lines: the Roosters surging to the top of the table thanks to eight straight wins, while the Tigers piled up eight consecutive losses.

The shock result bumps the Roosters off the summit, leaving the Panthers and Warriors separated by just one point of for-and-against at the top.

Wests’ win came despite Benji Marshall losing Alex Twal to a head-injury assessment in the first minute and Adam Doueihi to a shoulder pre-game.

Billy Smith bookended the first half by finding the left corner twice.

In between, Jeral Skelton bagged a brace and Tony Sukkar punished a Smith knock-on, while Madden’s wayward kicking left it 12-12 at the break.

Solomone Saukuru and Api Koroisau opened a twelve-point buffer by the hour mark, Koroisau converting both tries.

But Robert Toia struck back for the Chooks before Mark Nawaqanitawase went close and Walker finished a razzle-dazzle team try featuring an audacious Nawaqanitawase offload.

Walker’s clutch penalty-goal levelled it 24-all but Madden was the hero at the death.

ROOSTERS: 18 Cody Ramsey, 2 Billy Smith, 3 Hugo Savala, 4 Robert Toia, 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6 Daly Cherry-Evans, 7 Sam Walker, 8 Naufahu Whyte, 9 Reece Robson, 16 Nat Butcher, 11 Salesi Foketi, 12 Siua Wong, 13 Victor Radley. Subs: 10 Spencer Leniu, 14 Connor Watson, 15 Lindsay Collins, 17 Egan Butcher, 19 Tommy Talau (not used), 20 Rex Bassingthwaighte (not used)

Tries: Smith (3, 40), Toia (65), Walker (73); Goals: Walker 4/5

TIGERS: 1 Jahream Bula, 2 Junior Tupou, 3 Solomone Saukuru, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Jeral Skelton, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Jock Madden, 10 Fonua Pole, 9 Api Koroisau, 16 Alex Seyfarth, 11 Samuela Fainu, 12 Tony Sukkar, 13 Alex Twal. Subs: 8 Terrell May, 14 Heath Mason (not used), 15 Sione Fainu, 17 Bunty Afoa, 18 Tristan Hope (not used), 22 Faaletino Tavana (not used)

Tries: Skelton (20, 27), Sukkar (23), Saukuru (50), Koroisau (60); Goals: Madden 0/3; Koroisau 2/2; Field-goals: Madden (79)

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 6-8, 6-12, 12-12; 12-18, 12-24, 16-24, 22-24, 24-24, 24-25

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Roosters: Sam Walker; Tigers: Terrell May

Penalty count: 5-5; Half-time: 12-12; Referee: Ashley Klein; Attendance: 26,240