Pat Richards' last-gasp field goal earned West Tigers a thrilling 19-18 victory in their opening NRL clash at Gold Coast Titans.
Versatile back Richards rounded off an excellent performance, in which he scored two of his side's three tries, to break the hearts of the home side.
However, the Tigers were perhaps fortunate to finish with their full quota of 13 players when Mitchell Moses avoided a red card for a high clothesline on Titans' full-back William Zillman in the 68th minute - the stand-off instead placed on report.
It appeared as though Titans had brushed off the cobwebs of a tough pre-season when James Roberts swept up an excellent grubber kick from Daniel Mortimer to touch down after just five minutes.
Ryan James' sin-bin hindered the hosts, though, and the numerical advantage paid dividends as a converted Richards score put the visitors in front.
The home team rebounded before the break a pair of Aidan Sezer penalties got the crowd riled up before James crossed after relentless Titans pressure to give them a 12-6 lead at the break.
Richards' second try and a James Tedesco score restored the visitors' lead, but it appeared as though the match would end in a draw when Roberts crossed the line to tie things up at 18-18.
However, Richards had the final say and with just five seconds remaining, his kick went sailing over to settle a pulsating contest.
Newcastle Knights ran in 18 unanswered second-half points in a come-from-behind 24-14 victory over New Zealand Warriors at the Newcastle International Sports Centre - Dane Gagai finishing with two tries for the hosts.
Rounding off the action, Sydney Roosters set an early marker in a dominant 28-4 victory at North Queensland Cowboys.
Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Aidan Guerra and Boyd Cordner all scored tries in the first half, before the latter completed his double after the break to give the Roosters a 28-point lead.
The Cowboys showed some fight, Johnathan Thurston helping Justin O’Neill score what amounted to a consolation try in the 68th minute.