When the Eels made the GF I read in some reports that it was a great result especially for many of their "long suffering fans". I found that a little over the top given in the past 23 years they've played finals 12 times including 3 Grand Finals appearances. Yes, they had a few poor years, a few wooden spoons but all in all not too shabby. I guess it's all relative and in relation to the Tigers it's pretty bloody good. Still, we have a premiership to show from our 3 finals appearances in that same period. This made me think "Would I want to swap our 23 years for theirs'?" I think I would even given we have 2005. If the Tigers could play finals 12 times in the next 23 years and play the GF 3 times I'd gladly take it, hey, I'm closing in on 60 years of age so I'd take almost any kind of improvement, almost.
So, a question to all of you long suffering Wests Tigers supporters, what club's record from the past 23 years would you not want to swap with ours?
Good question. The only milestones that matter to me are grand final wins. If Parra win on Sunday their 'long suffering will be over' and I will be envious. If they lose it I don't care how many finals and GF's they make - I'd take our solitary moment of glory. I remember the agony of our prelim/semi final losses in 2010 &11. Not pleasant at all. Still hurts. I hope they lose on Sunday and that their fans can even longer suffer.
@robbierat1 I remember the finals loss against the Warriors. I also remember the losses at Leichhardt to the Sharks and Raiders to miss the eight. I was in the crowd for each game - That feeling of anticipation is unrivalled. Tigers fans deserve to feel that feeling much more often that we have.
@robbierat1 Interesting. I don’t actually see winning a solitary GF as a true barometer of success. It’s like we win one more GF in the next 23 years but play only 3 finals series again. I’d personally much more enjoy making the finals 12 times including 3 GFs. The journey is much more fun when you can experience the build-up to finals games. That’s what I miss most, just to be a part of it, the anticipation, the nerves etc (sounds like a first date).
@brookscoin Exactly, the build-up is the best part of it. You’re thinking about it all week, the nerves get to you, the anticipation. Love all that.
What really gives our record over the past 23 years it’s only redeeming feature is 2005, not just winning the premiership but the journey to winning it, that’s what made it extra special. So taking that into account these are the only clubs whose records over the past 23 years I wouldn’t swap with:
I wouldn’t want to swap with the Warriors, 8 finals appearances including 2 GFs (1 finals appearance past 10 years isn’t enough).
Definitely not the Titans although they entered the comp’ 2007, only 4 finals appearances, no GFs.
Wouldn’t swap with the Knights, 10 appearances including a Premiership win in 2001 but only 3 finals in past 10 years & 3 wooden spoons would be very hard to take.
Not sure about the Raiders, only one GF in the past 23 years but 11 other finals appearances. They’re a maybe.
@robbierat1 I’m envious they made the finals & the GF. I recall 2010 & 2011 as well (easy to do given we don’t get there much). Losing hurt but getting that opportunity to dream, to be part of it was exciting. It’s that excitement I miss.
Here’s another question, if you were given these options for the next 23 years of supporting Wests Tigers which would you take?
1) You play 3 finals series including winning a premiership.
2) You play 12 finals series including 3 Grand Finals, 2 you lose but the other you don’t know the result.
O
