David slayed Goliath, but that has nothing on Sunday’s shock result that has thrown the minor premiership race wide open after the Wests Tigers snapped an eight-game losing streak to knock off the Roosters on their home deck.

The Roosters started the round on top of the table but have fallen down to third after the Tigers produced one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history to beat them 25-24 at Allianz Stadium thanks to a Jock Madden field goal with a minute to go.

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Trent Robinson’s men had won eight in a row and were fresh from knocking off the Panthers in a heavyweight bout where they proved to the world that they can match it with the best team of the decade.

They had everything to play for against a team that was in disarray, but they produced one of their worst performances in years as their attack fell flat and inexplicably opted against going right for the first hour of the contest.

Sloppy errors, clunky passes and decoy runners colliding with defenders stopped them at every turn to take their top-two hopes out of their control ahead of a monster showdown with the Dolphins on Saturday.

Match Centre: Roosters v Tigers, live blog, results

BIG HITS

JOCK STAR

It’s been the year from hell for the Tigers on many levels, but this was a performance that their fans can be proud of.

They had every right to throw in the towel after Alex Twal was forced off in the opening set after copping some friendly fire from Tony Sukkar, before Billy Smith crossed a minute later.

But they found the fight that’s been missing for the second half of the season as they found a way to ruffle the Roosters’ feathers.

Patrick Herbert threw the final pass for their three first half tries which included a Jeral Skelton double, while Sukkar grabbed one of his own after Smith dropped the ball coming off his own line.

Not even a try to Smith on the stroke of half-time to tie things up could dampen their spirits as the left edge took over with a cracking Samuela Fainu offload leading to a try, before Api Koroisau scored another and then nailed a 40/20.

The Roosters looked like they were going to pinch it when they tied things up late, but a poor offload from Naufahu Whyte gifted the Tigers one last chance which they nailed with Madden drilling the field goal from nearly 30 metres out.

This was a special effort from the Tigers who had to defend 38 tackles inside their own 20 metres, with Fainu limping off late.

NRL 2026 RD25NRL 2026 RD25 Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers – Jock Madden, Winning Field Goal. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

OFF THE MARK

The Roosters finally looked like themselves when they started going right, with Robert Toia getting them back in the game before Mark Nawaqanitawase was denied another when he lost control over the line.

The superstar winger then produced a moment of magic to set up Sam Walker who then nailed a penalty from 35 metres out to tie things up.

But one poor pass killed the comeback, with Victor Radley on report for a high shot before he came off late with a head knock.

JUDICIARY WATCH

Jock Madden was placed report high tackle 15 mins – had a high tackle charge in round 11.

Siua Wong was placed on report for a high tackle in the first half. Two unrelated charges this year.

Samuela Fainu was placed on report for a hip drop late in the first half. Had a dangerous contact charge in round 6 for a knee lift.

DCE was placed on report for tripping in the second half. No charges since 2024.

Victor Radley was placed on report for a high tackle late in the match. 5 charges in the past 12 months – four for high tackles. He was also sent for a HIA late in the match after getting his head in the wrong place attempting a tackle.

Benji: ‘Proud as Ive ever been | 06:29

FOX LAB STATS

Fox Lab Expected Set Points: Roosters 23.4, Tigers 15.8 – The Roosters made nine linebreaks to four, had 74 tackles to 40 in the attacking half, including 38 to 13 in the opposition 20, but the Tigers scored five tries to four.

Only the second time in Premiership history a team on an eight game or longer losing streak has defeated a team on an eight game winning streak. The Western Reds defeated Manly in 1996.

Tigers first win and most points since round 15, and first win away from home since round 5.

Roosters first loss and most points conceded since round 15. Just their sixth loss of the season – first time they have scored 20 points or more and lost. They drop from first on the ladder to third, and can still miss the top four with losses to the Dolphins and Rabbitohs.

Consecutive wins for the Tigers over the Roosters, for the first time since 2009. They won 30-28 last season.

Alex Twal left the field after a head clash early in the game – He was ruled as category 1 and will miss the Tigers next game.

Billy Smith scored the fifth double of his career – his third since round 17. His first loss when scoring multiple tries

Jeral Skelton scored the fourth double of his career – has won all four games

Fox Lab POTM – Api Koroisau’s experience helped steer the Tigers to a famous upset. He scored a try, landed two pressure goals and nailed a second half 40/20.

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