Galloway's bravery lifts teammates
July 15, 2012
Adrian Proszenko
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THE FALLOUT
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens expects to be without Keith Galloway for up to three weeks after the representative prop ruptured his AC joint. Despite suffering the injury late in the first half, Galloway bravely returned to action to bolster a forward pack missing Gareth Ellis and Adam Blair. ''He took a needle to finish the game but now he knows about it; it's as sore as hell,'' Sheens said. Tigers captain Robbie Farah added: ''It is [courageous] and the boys notice that; we thanked him after the game. It's pretty important. When the game's on the line you need all troops on deck and Keith took one for the team and got back out.'' Blair and Ellis will return next week.
THE MATCH
Two hookers with hearts of gold scored early. Robbie Farah, having recovered from the damage done by Nate Myles' melon, got his own scone over the line just five minutes in. Reluctant Penrith captain Kevin Kingston, not to be outdone, also scampered across. This set the tone for the match. One team would score, the other would respond. The lead changed six times all up. Tim Moltzen was involved in two of the biggest defensive plays of the night. Luke Lewis appeared destined to score against one of his suitors and while it wasn't quite the Hand of God, the Tigers fullback dislodged the ball just as Lewis appeared destined to slam it down. Minutes later, Moltzen was again in the thick of it. Luke Walsh strolled through to score, but replays suggested that Moltzen was taken out by new signing Shane Shackleton. Was this another obstruction of justice? Video ref Bernard Sutton controversially pushed the green button.
WHAT THE GAME MEANS FOR THE TIGERS
This is a seriously streaky team. One win. Five losses. Seven wins. Three losses. Hopefully for them this is the start of another positive sequence. This was a crucial result. The Tigers, having stemmed the bleeding after leaking 112 points in their previous three losses, have now climbed into the top eight.
WHAT THE GAME MEANS FOR THE PANTHERS
This is what the short-term pain feels like. At least there were some positive signs. Sometime first-grader Michael Jennings was electric. They were every chance of a upset until Chris Heighington - yes, you have read this right - produced a left-foot step to seal the game.
WHAT THE TIGERS SAID
Tigers coach Tim Sheens: ''Obviously the two points are very valuable given what's happening in the competition at the moment.''
WHAT THE PANTHERS SAID
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary: ''We did things in that game to secure two points. But that's where we are at the moment, it's why we're sitting where we are.''
THE WEEK AHEAD
Benji Marshall is now a halfback. Johnathan Thurston wears the No.6\. They may have switched roles in recent times but both hold the key to success in next Monday's Tigers-Cowboys clash. The Panthers are back at home against the Roosters next Sunday. They will be under pressure for a different reason - only Parramatta stands between them and the spoon.
