Fed-up Wests Tigers NRL fans could stage a walkout during Eels clash as they plan huge protest

Fed-up Wests Tigers fans could stage a protest rally at Stadium Australia during the clash with Parramatta on Monday as they seek changes to the club’s management.

More than 250 supporters have joined the Wests Tigers Action Group Facebook page, and they plan to make their voices heard.

A mass walkout at the venue has been reportedly discussed – and the Action Group may also literally turn their backs on their struggling team in the 11th minute.

The proposed stunt would symbolise the number of consecutive years the joint venture outfit has missed the NRL top eight.

‘We have been poor in terms of results for over a decade and nothing seems to change,’ group administrator Clint Schmeider said.

Tigers fans (pictured at Leichhardt Oval last month) have had enough of their team’s failings and could stage an eye-catching protest on Monday to send a message that change is needed

Under-fire Tigers halfback Luke Brooks made his NRL debut in 2013 – and is yet to play finals footy in his career

‘The fans have had enough….they are sick of seeing us lose and I really can’t blame them.’

Schmeider told Wide World of Sports the likely protest isn’t directed at the playing group – it is the people who run the club – such as under pressure CEO Justin Pascoe.

‘They are making poor decisions and we fans suffer as a result,’ he said.

‘We are not nut jobs, we are just frustrated fans…. no way will there be riots or anything like that, we just want to change the culture of the club.’

The development comes as the Tigers copped a lashing on social media after eagle-eyed fans claimed to have spotted a major error with their ANZAC Day jersey.

The NRL strugglers – who have lost their opening five matches of the 2023 season – premiered their special jersey ahead of this month’s ANZAC round, which featured an image of two soldiers walking away from a helicopter.

However, the photograph in question appears to be of American soldiers, taken during a desert storm, while one Twitter user discovered that the helicopter pictured is a MH-60 – used by the US Military.

‘Why are the soldiers on it American?’ one fan asked.

Wests have copped a lashing from their fans on social media for making a shocking mistake with their 2023 ANZAC jerseys (pictured)

The NRL club appeared to have placed an image of US soldiers on their 2023 ANZAC Day jersey instead of going with Aussie diggers (pictured)

Long-suffering Tigers fans took to Twitter to blast the club for the apparent mix up

Another said: ‘Why do we even bother. If this turns out that we put soldiers on an ANZAC jersey that are not even Australian (or even NZ) then that will actually do me.’

‘Surely this isn’t possible?’ a third fan said. ‘Don’t let this fester, we are a laughing stock from the front boardroom to the dressing room, please give us long suffering fans the ability to defend this one.’

The embattled club later released a statement denying any link to the US military with their ANZAC jerseys. 

‘Wests Tigers has collaborated with Holsworthy Army Barracks, who have sighted and approved all collateral relating to the release of this jersey.

‘The soldiers on the jersey simply depict the modern-day soldier serving in a desert environment.

‘The image in question, which is a stock image, has been purchased under license by our official apparel partner.

‘The final design was approved by NRL Licensing.

‘The military camouflage pattern above the chevron on the jersey is an authentic replica of the Australian Army camouflage that has been digitalised and grey-scaled.

‘Both the Australian and New Zealand flags are represented on the jersey’s shoulders, again honouring our ANZAC’s.

‘The release of this jersey falls three weeks out from our Anzac Round clash against the Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Round 8.’