The four-part documentary following the Wests Tigers’ 2021 season, Wild Wests: Tales From Tiger Town, has landed, promising an unfiltered view inside the Wests Tigers - from boardroom to lockerroom.
With the joint venture sitting two points outside the top eight as the first episode goes to air, the first of the four-part series takes fans all the way back to the first day of pre-season.
“While this season to date has been disappointing on the field for all involved with our club, we were always firmly committed to providing our members and fans with unprecedented access into the workings of the club — win, lose or draw,” Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said.
Rugby league fans have been waiting a long time for The Greatest Game Of All to get the documentary treatment. Will it stack up to expectations? We're about to find out. Will there be Michael Maguire blowups? Of course, you’ve only got to wait 25 seconds for the first.
Below, we’ve compiled the biggest talking points from episode one.
"F***in' hell, you've got me you blokes."
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) July 16, 2021
Madge wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's not afraid to show it to his players, in good times or in hardship.
Don't miss the premiere episode of 'Wild Wests: Tales from Tigertown' on MONDAY at 7:30 pm on @Foxtel and @kayosports 🐯🔥 pic.twitter.com/MN9baQczhW
Sporting News will be reviewing each episode of Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town the day after the episode premieres. To watch every episode of the series as they premiere - or to watch on-demand- subscribe to Kayo here.
THE COUGAR BRINGS THE STAR POWER
Ronnie Palmer has been outworking footy players in pre-season for longer than most of the Wests Tigers’ 17 have been alive.
Two things are clear with the Balmain Charmer: he is a Michael Maguire fan and it looks like he could still absolutely dust half of the NRL in a yo-yo test.
The Test, Origin and club trainer is as energetic as ever while mic'd up, running instructions and waters for the club, bringing fans closer to the action - especially when the Tigers are camped out next to the sticks after conceding points.
As the season progresses - particularly in the rounds 4-8 block that should cover episode two - this should capture some hard truths, either through delivered messages from Maguire via Palmer, or through the playing group itself.
WHERE’S LUKE BROOKS?
Outside of Brooks’ struggles to get through the banner for his 150th game, the halfback is rarely sighted in the opening episode, despite coming under fire for a lacklustre opening to the season
With the announcement of Jackson Hastings’ arrival at the club for season 2022 - and the continued struggles of the side’s attack for the span of the second episode’s coverage - it’ll be interesting to see how the story unfolds behind closed doors.
Luke Brooks: 0
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) March 21, 2021
Banner: 1 😂😂😂
Stream: https://t.co/vCgoRzBmnu#9WWOS #NRL #NRLTigersRoosters pic.twitter.com/SraIMGb5Ob
TIGERS SUPPORTER HAS GENERATIONAL DISAPPOINTMENT ALREADY
Wests Tigers superfan Lachlan McShane claims the greatest zinger of the first episode.
He is too young to have witnessed the 2005 triumph and wasn’t satisfied with the promise of 2010 and 2011.
While giving a tour of his bedroom, stacked full of Wests Tigers memorabilia, he stops upon one final item.
“I’ve got a Tigers alarm clock that tells the time,” he says.
With a resigned sigh he puts the clock down.
“It’s time to make the finals.”
It really is, Lachlan.
ROUND 1 WAS A LONG, LONG TIME AGO
After Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence were two of 14 squad changes from the 2020 squad, a new era began with one of the keys being unlocking the incredible potential of Joey Leilua, heading into his second season with the Tigers.
With the pre-season out of the way, the first bit of significant game vision of the 2021 season is Leilua’s first hit up against the Raiders in round 1. Leilua takes the ball up and the ball is stripped.
“Nice carry, Beej. Good boy. Good start,” beams Maguire.
There’s not much more of the occasionally-devastating centre during the four-game arc of the first episode.
In real-time, Leilua hasn’t been sighted in first grade since round 11 and is not part of the team’s COVID bubble.
SOMETHING GOT LOST IN THE TEAM MOTTO TRANSLATION
“Be the players that everyone wants to f**king play with.”
That’s the motto Wests Tigers players came up with for 2021. It could be less sweary but it’s relayed by Maguire who, understandably considering the run the team is on early in the season, is partial to colourful language.
Considering the rifts in the playing group, it seems some missed the meaning. It’ll make for popcorn viewing in the ensuing episodes.
MADGE BLOW-UPS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
If you’re looking for paint peeling off the wall sprays, you'll be disappointed. Michael Maguire can never be accused of not caring about his team - it’s the underlying theme of the first episode - but it hasn’t manifested itself in locker room explosions yet.
There’s some serious disappointed dad vibes, though. The biggest selling point of the documentary series is the access - specifically the coaches’ box access - and episode one delivers.
Fast forward to 17:00 if you want to hear a grown man’s heart break a little. That could be any Wests Tigers’ fan on the couch. Whatever criticism he has copped during his time at Concord, Maguire clearly cares about the team.
GAVIN BADGER: FASHION ICON
In only the first match of the season, with the Raiders exploiting Wests’ left edge, the camera cuts back to GIO Stadium’s coaching box where Maguire seeks clarity from none other than former NRL whistleblower Gavin Badger on what’s being reviewed. Who knows what he said because look at the length of those shorts.
Iconic stuff. Frankly, it’s something we could all incorporate into our lives. Less leg prisons, more breathability.
ET set the standard, the Badge has improved upon it.
Sporting News will be reviewing each episode of Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town the day after the episode premieres. To watch every episode of the series as they premiere - or to watch on-demand- subscribe to Kayo here.Absolute #1 on Peter V'landys off-season list: regulating the length of playing shorts.
— Chris Danks (@DanksDiscussion) November 12, 2020
PICTURED: ET's #Origin -branded cheekies setting the standard. #MoreThighsMoreTries pic.twitter.com/1zoKjjr8Kx
WESTS TIGERS’ RECORD DURING SPAN OF EPISODE 1
| ROUND | OPPONENT | SCORE | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra Raiders | 30-12 | Loss |
| 2 | Sydney Roosters | 40-6 | Loss |
| 3 | Newcastle Knights | 24-20 | Win |
| 4 | Parramatta Eels | 36-22 | Loss |
WHEN IS THE NEXT WESTS TIGERS DOCUMENTARY EPISODE?
| EPISODE | DATE | TIME | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | July 19 | 7:30pm AEST | FOX LEAGUE Channel 502, FOX8 & Kayo |
| Episode 2 | August 9 | 7:30pm AEST | FOX LEAGUE Channel 502, FOX8 & Kayo |
| Episode 3 | August 16 | 7:30pm AEST | FOX LEAGUE Channel 502, FOX8 & Kayo |
| Episode 4 | August 30 | 7:30pm AEST | FOX LEAGUE Channel 502, FOX8 & Kayo |
