Tiger Talk Skandalis feature

SPECIAL EDITION / TIGER TALK

Main picture: Jonathan Ng

Skando reminisces

John Skandalis played in the first game for Wests Tigers and 15 years later, he’s as passionate as ever. Alicia Sylvester reports.

HEADING into that first game at Campbelltown Sports Stadium against the Brisbane Broncos in 2000, the players were well aware of what was at stake.

Two foundation clubs had merged. While their future lay in the joint venture, the proud history of the Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers could not be ignored.

So as players prepared to take the field in the new Wests Tigers colours, their motivation came from the past. ‘‘That was a massive thing,’’ Skandalis said. ‘‘We spoke about the heritage of both clubs and what both clubs meant to past players, present players and fans and supporters. ‘‘It was really important back then because at Wests

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Saturday May 24, 2014

Tigers we didn’t have our own culture or identity so we needed to acknowledge where we came from.’’

So the acts and attitudes of Magpies legends such as Tommy Raudonikis and Keith Holman and Tigers heroes like Paul Sironen and Keith Barnes helped shape a team that was keen to do their new club proud. ‘‘We did start pretty well in our first season, we were towards the top of the ladder, but then we got a few injuries at the back end of the season and we just missed out on the semis,’’ Skandalis said. ‘‘The years following that we did struggle a bit.’’

So when the results weren’t coming on the field, Skandalis kept motivated by focusing on his part in a bigger Wests Tigers legacy. ‘‘For me it was trying to make the club a successful club,’’ he said. ‘‘I think anyone that played for Wests Tigers at the time would say the same thing. ‘‘I loved the Wests Magpies with all my heart and the Balmain Tigers came along and I became a part of that history as well. ‘‘Giving the club an identity was my driving force.’’

TIGER TALK / SPECIAL EDITION

Campbelltown’s favourite son holds a special place in Wests Tigers history.

He scored the club’s maiden try at Campbelltown against the Broncos. It’s an honour he holds dear. ‘‘I’d be lying if I said I didn’t appreciate it and hold it in my heart very deeply.’’

Skandalis was also a part of the club’s maiden premiership. The run to the grand final in 2005 saw 11 straight Wests Tigers victories. It was a run Skandalis will never forget. ‘‘It was quite amazing,’’ he said. ‘‘Some of those games I just felt we were going to win. ‘‘It’s hard to explain, I had confidence in our team, we were all on the same page and we enjoyed playing with each other. Everyone was having fun. ‘‘And people weren’t expecting us to win which I think helped us. No one thought we would make the semis let alone win the grand final but we were playing free footy. ‘‘Some of the young guys like Benji [Marshall] and Robbie [Farah] were playing NRL like they were playing park football with their mates. ‘‘That rubbed off on myself and players like Mark O’Neill

and Toddy Payten — guys who had been playing for a while and who were desperate for success.’’

Skandalis would leave the club he loved to play Super League in England in 2007 and 2008.

But when his beloved Wests Tigers needed him, Skandalis was ready for his return to NRL in 2009.

Fittingly, the return of Skandalis mirrored his start with the Wests Tigers — at Campbelltown Sports Stadium against the Brisbane Broncos.

And fans welcomed him back with open arms. ‘‘It was pouring down rain and I remember standing up to go on and I could hear the cheering at the back and my name being called out. I had goosebumps and my hair was standing up. It was a real thrill.’’

And even though his playing days are behind him, Skandalis continues to work with the club as strength and conditioning coach. He can be seen week in and week out on the field as a trainer, helping players he once took to the field with and passing on directions to the younger players who no doubt look up to the club legend.

He is a part of Wests Tigers history and he plans to be a part of its future.

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