The Wests Tigers delivered a flawless first half as they thrashed the Newcastle Knights in the final game of the round at a packed out Campbelltown Stadium.
The Tigers opened with confidence, continuing the momentum they carried out of their golden‑point win over Parramatta. Adam Doueihi's running game immediately troubled Newcastle's edges, and his early involvement helped set up the first try. A delightful long ball from the form half in the competition landed on Sunia Turuva's chest to touch down.
Newcastle were their own worse enemies with several yardage penalties not adding to their cause. Api Koroisau's deception out of dummy half fooled the Knights with only Fletcher Hunt getting anywhere near him and in the blink of an eye it was 12-0.
Undoubtedly, the story of the first half was Patrick Herbert. Having last played in the NRL in 2022, his return to the top-grade was completed with a spectacular NFL style try-assist to Turuva for an early double. What made the assist even better was the fact he was in the process of being smashed by his opposite number.
The Knights had to score next and despite Fletcher Sharpe being denied for a knock on, they kept peppering the home side. Dom Young was able to get the ball down after quick hands from Hunt and Dane Gagai sent the English international on his way in contentious circumstances.
Two quick tries in the shadows of half-time gave the Tigers complete domination in the opening half as Herbert ran riot down Newcastle's left edge to complete his redemption. Then, in the shadows of half-time, Jahream Bula touched down to give the Tigers a 28-4 halftime lead.
Despite reshuffles to try and gain the ascendancy, the Tigers seemingly had an answer and threw everything at the Knights. A terrific long ball again from Doueihi sent Turuva on his way for a hattrick to kickstart the home side's scoring in the second stanza.
A disaster and the only blemish for the Tigers was a rough pass from Jeral Skelton in his own in-goal that was quickly grounded by Dane Gagai and there might've been game on. But, the game was sealed with two quick tries to bring up 40 points for the Tigers for the second time at home. Bula charged his way over the line and despite a long bunker check, the try was confirmed. The second was a smart decoy play to send Terrell May charging over the line.
Newcastle added two consolation tries to Fletcher Hunt and Trey Mooney in the final five minutes to put some consolation on a performance that was completely dominated by the Tigers from pillar to post.