The Tigers and Black and Whites prepare to honour Westerman
- Super League Raw
- Jan 31
- 3 min read
As the sensationalist scribes engage in their usual antics, we at Super League Raw take a moment to honour the fantastic career of Joe Westerman, a true stalwart of the game. It is fair to declare that if Rugby League were akin to a Monopoly board, Joe would be a virtuoso of the dice, gracing the fields of Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Warrington Wolves, Toronto Wolfpack, and Wakefield Trinity. Nonetheless, it is the Tigers and FC that he has represented the most frequently.
This Saturday, the spotlight shall shine brightly upon Joe, as Hull FC come to town to pay homage the remarkable versatile forward. Much like the beloved ballad 'Last Christmas,' which has gracefully held the runner-up spot in the festive charts twice since 1984, Joe Westerman has undoubtedly danced on the brink of being named in the Super League Dream Team on several occasions.
2022 was one of those years with Westerman playing some his best Rugby. He was voted the Fans' Man of the Match for the first two rounds of the season against Salford and Warrington. Following another two Man of the Match performances against Wigan and Leeds in March, head coach Lee Radford called Westerman "the best 13 in the competition". He played 29 games in the season, his most appearances since the 2011 campaign at Hull FC. His link up play with halves Richardson, Trueman and O'Brien ensured he was at the centre of everything in attack. Perhaps one of his, and the Tigers memorable moments that season was their 30 - 10 win over the Saints in Round 10 at the The Jungle, a game in which he scored his only try that campaign. Sometimes stats can be deceiving as Joe is credited for only 3 assists in 2022, but be assured, he was often the man who passed the penultimate ball.
One part of Joe's game that often slips under the radar is his defence, but just like a classic plain pizza, Westerman’s tackling skills from the 13 jersey are hard to top! In 2022, he snagged the silver medal for tackles, trailing only behind Danny Houghton with a whopping 929. Now, when you throw in his relentless efforts in attack—racking up 2,438 meters, landing him 18th in the league—it’s clear to see why he is a fans favourite at the tigers. In a year that sparkled brighter than a disco ball, he cleaned up at the club’s end-of-season awards, bagging a hat-trick of trophies: Directors' Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, and Club Player of the Year. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and relive those epic moments!
As Westerman sets forth on his 20th campaign in Super League, we at Raw hold the belief that Joe is truly worthy of this honour and reverence from all Rugby League enthusiasts. His unwavering dedication and the sacrifices he has made for our enjoyment over the years deserve nothing less than our heartfelt appreciation. It would be fitting if the Jungle was packed to the brim of Tigers and FC supporters this Saturday in what is sure to be a great contest befitting of the occasion.
Ticket Information
Adults £15
Junior £8
Family of 4 (2 Adults & 2 Juniors) £40
Visit:
On behalf of everyone in the Super League Raw Community, have a great afternoon Joe and thank you for your service to the game.
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