Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau has called on his side's fans to cram into Leichhardt Oval as they look to defy the odds to end a 14-year finals drought.
The Tigers have surged into top-eight calculations with wins over the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles in the past two games to climb to 11th on the ladder.
Benji Marshall's men now sit four points outside the eight and require three wins and other results to go their way to play finals.
The Tigers host the Cowboys this weekend before dates with the Raiders and Titans. Koroisau concedes a lot has to go right but remains hopeful his side can sneak into the post-season.
Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles – Round 24, 2025
"We're confident we'll finish the year strong," Koroisau told 94ddz.com. "I'm not sure exactly what we need to make it happen with how the table looks.
"Our highest priority is this week against the Cowboys and finishing the season strong and then we'll see what happens."
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 25 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The Tigers will host North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon in the final game of Telstra Footy Country Round.
The hosts are undefeated at the historic venue this year, however they haven't given their fans an easy ride in their two wins at the ground.
The Tigers defeated Cronulla in golden point in Round 8 before Adam Doueihi kicked a final-minute field goal to sink the Titans in Round 20.
Adam Doueihi seals it for the Wests Tigers
Another big crowd is expected for the club's final home game of the season and Koroisau said there is no better sight in rugby league than a packed Leichhardt hill.
"They call it the eighth wonder of the world for a reason," Koroisau said. "The energy out there is incredible.
"The fans have supported us for a long time while the club hasn't been doing great but they still turn up. They're the best fans in the world. It's a good place to play and it's been nice to get a couple of wins at Leichhardt this year."
The Tigers season has endured plenty of ups and downs and a few what ifs, but will largely be considered a success even if they don't play finals football.
After three successive wooden spoons, there has been plenty of improvement on the field amid some challenging conditions off it.
New recruits Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva and Terrell May have been outstanding, while the Fainu brothers headline a promising crop of youngsters who continue to develop.
"It's been a long year and we're not where we want to be, but we're definitely putting the steps in the right spots and building," Koroisau said.
Wests Tigers v Dragons - Round 7, 2025
Sunday's clash is an NRL-NRLW double-header, with the Tigers women to play the Cowboys after the men's game.
Brett Kimmorley's side claimed their first win of the season last weekend and they also remain in the finals hunt with four weeks remaining.
Captain Kezie Apps acknowledged it's been a slow burn for the club since the women's team was established in 2023 but remains confident success is just around the corner.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 8 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
12th Position
away Team
Cowboys
3rd Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
"We've got a young side and an inexperienced side compared to other teams in the NRLW," Apps said. "Every week they play, they get better and they want to learn. The character they show to show up every day at training is a credit to them.
"For us to get our first win and for them to see that things are going to get tough in a game of rugby league, but it's how you respond and how you turn up for one another that matters.
"The young girls saw on the weekend that when you do the hard work, you can get the win, so hopefully that sets us up for the rest of the season."
