Wests Tigers stun Sydney Roosters to blow NRL top-four race wide open

The Sydney Roosters have slipped on a Wests Tigers -sized banana skin in a shock 25-24 loss that could prove fatal in their pursuit of the NRL’s minor premiership.

Halfback Jock Madden was the hero for the Tigers on Sunday, kicking a 79th-minute field goal to snap a eight-game losing run.

The Tigers’ finals hopes ended months ago and they were ranked $10 outsiders at Allianz Stadium.

But led by co-captain Api Koroisau, Benji Marshall’s side produced one of the upsets of the season to turn the make-up of the top four on its head.

With two rounds remaining, the Roosters (38 points, +162) sit third after blowing a golden chance to move clear of the ladder-leading Warriors (38 points, +295) and second-placed Penrith (38 points, +294).

“It was a poor game from us,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson, adding the result “wasn’t good” for his side’s top two hopes.

“In the end we didn’t win today and the ladder is where it’s at and we know what we want to do.

“We still want to be the best team in the comp this year and the opportunity is still sitting right there.”

In further bad news for Robinson, lock Victor Radley was placed on report and underwent a late head injury assessment.

The Roosters coach was unsure post-match if Radley had passed his concussion test.

Wests Tigers had every reason to not aim up on Sunday, especially when prop Alex Twal was ruled out with a head knock inside 60 seconds and Roosters winger Billy Smith touched down after just three minutes.

But unlike the past few months when they would have gone to water, the Tigers stood up for themselves.

“I reckon that’s as proud as I’ve ever been as a coach, given we lost Twaly who is probably our most experienced player,” Marshall said.

“We had guys, without sugar-coating it, who were on development deals playing against the team that was coming first.