Tasmanian Wests Tigers?

[Benny_Storer]

Are there others?

Tasmanian born and a product of the late 1970s, I followed the Western Suburbs with a zealousness usually reserved for religion or that horrible Victorian code on this island.

Since the joint venture I have been a Wests boy but one without much support down here. In the past 13 seasons I've only met one other fair dinkum Wests fan in Tasmania, a bloke from my Rugby Union club was born into a Balmain family and had followed the clubs journey to it's present conclusion. He'd continually sing 'Eye of the Tiger' under his breath at training. He's since moved interstate leaving me unaware of any other southern fans.

I did see one fella in an old 2000 season Wests jersey at the Melbourne v Brisbane pre-season match at North Hobart Oval but didn't get a chance to speak with him. Only other is a young bloke wearing a Wests hat in Huonville last week, but same drum, not able to stop and have a yarn.

Must be some Wests Tigers fans in Hobart eh? Any on this forum? Would be keen to catch up and watch a game sometime.

 

[Juro]

Isn't the winner of last year's Tasmanian comp also called the Tigers? Surely a few people linked with the team would go for Wests too!

 

[Benny_Storer]

League has only just kicked off again here in Tasmania, it's played in summer and has a very small pool of players. Mostly Pacific Islanders or Union lads looking for something to do in the off season.

I've always followed League but played Union. At my club there is certainly a few that follow League but mostly clubs like Manly, Souths and Broncos.. Or god forbid, Melbourne!!

 

[Benny_Storer]

Hobart Tigers aren't really playing in a strip like ours anyway: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=585589271453956&set=oa.10151491468406661&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

 

[happy_tiger]

Jeez for a minute there Ben I thought you had us relocating to Tasmania 😱pen_mouth:

 

[GoldXR50Leroy]

The Tigers did win the Tasmanian Premiership in a massive upset, have had the chance to follow the Tassies progress on LeagueUnlimited.com where the President of the TRL posted regular updates through the season, a brand new side from Launceston led the comp by a country mile early on before injuries caught up with them.
The TRL is still looking to expand as they are putting in the long yards in development department.

 

[Black_n_White]

League has only just kicked off again here in Tasmania, it's played in summer and has a very small pool of players. Mostly Pacific Islanders or Union lads looking for something to do in the off season.

I've always followed League but played Union. At my club there is certainly a few that follow League but mostly clubs like Manly, Souths and Broncos.. Or god forbid, Melbourne!!

God Forbid Storm….. I would be hating on the bunnies and Manly supporters, wouldnt pee on them if on fire.

 

[Benny_Storer]

This isn't the first League comp to be run in Tasmania, there was at least three cracks at getting it up and going.. 1960s, 1990s, 2000s and now. Running it in summer is both blessing and curse. The Union competition is over so League can draw players from there but Christmas holidays is a killer.

 

[cunno]

I was on holidays in Tassie a few years ago and found it difficult to watch the nrl on TV has that improved. Like your jersey by the way, have one in the wardrobe myself.

 

[Benny_Storer]

Improved television viewing! Inline with Sydney now, GEM shows all the Channel 9 games. When I was a kid, there was NO NSWRL on television, only Stateof Origin and even then it was delayed until midnight and beyond! I was raised on Beta and later VHS tapes of games mailed south by my Uncle. ….anyway, showing it on television down here is awesome! Improved the profile of League here and I am able to indoctrinate my kids so easily! My Son and Daughter love their Wests Tigers!!

I did hear that Benji Marshalls Grandad was Tasmanian, never bothered to check to see if correct, cool if it's true...

Cheers for the jersey compliment! I collect old Western Suburbs jerseys, have a few crackers now! Reckon I'll pick up the new Wests Heritage jersey that came out today.