Gould's theory for battlers over Tigers 'stage fright'

Following a shock loss to the Dragons on the weekend, league icon Phil Gould believes the Tigers are still facing “growing pains” as their rebuild continues.

In front of a sold out crowd at Campbelltown, the Tigers put forward one of their worst performances of the season with the Dragons winning 24-12.

It was a setback for coach Benji Marshall, who has enjoyed a strong start to his coaching tenure.

With significant home crowd support, Gould explained the Tigers struggled to perform on the back of expectation.

Jahream Bula is tackled against the St George Illawarra Dragons.

“There’s a bit of a theory with these bottom teams, big crowds and favouritism don’t suit them too well,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.

“Expectation is another pressure they’re not normally used to. Most of the time they go out, they’re underdogs but all of a sudden you’re favourites at home in front of a big crowd and they (the Tigers) got a bit of stage fright I thought. I thought they just didn’t quite aim up.”

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The Tigers were sent a shock early when Dragons winger Zac Lomax scored in the first minute.

Stefano Utoikamanu managed to hit back for the home side but the Dragons then ran away with it.

League legend Paul Gallen explained there was pandemonium around the ground before kick off due to the improvement shown by the Tigers on the field.

“They ended up opening up the gates at the stadium,” he said.

“There was that many people lining up outside they ended up opening the gates and letting everybody in and I’ve got to say there was an air of expectation.

“There was a real good vibe around the whole place, from all reports they’re training really well, they’re loving footy at the moment and the expectation in the crowd was pretty high and they probably let the crowd down (and) they let themselves down obviously.

“They weren’t great the Tigers, they were pretty poor.”

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With boom rookie Lachie Galvin still suspended and new coach Marshall only six rounds into his official role, Gould explained it’s all part of the experience as the club looks to return to finals.

“There’s a lot of growing pains to go through with those fellas,” he said.

“They’re two or three years away from where they want to be. You’re going to get games like that, simple as that.

“I think expectation probably got the better of them and Dragons came with that spoiling style and they just allowed the Tigers to beat themselves.”