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Wests Tigers' dramatic win over Cronulla on Saturday has drawn fresh criticism on the club's spiritual home ground Leichhardt Oval, with commentator Warren Smith saying key demographics of fans are being locked out.
It was an emotional night for premiership-winning player turned coach Benji Marshall and his charges, overcoming the odds to record a huge win after consecutive NRL wooden spoons.
Almost 16,000 people crammed into Leichhardt to watch the 32-6 thrashing with the party going on long after the fulltime siren.
It led many to praise the venue for the tribalism it brings out in the Tigers and the club's supporters, but many were quick to slam the run-down and ageing facility as well.
Leading footy commentator Warren Smith used this photo from Saturday night's game to argue that the lack of seating on the hill means the children, families and seniors are being locked out of Wests Tigers matches at Leichhardt
Smith (pictured) slammed Leichardt Oval in a lengthy online debate and even said the Tigers should have been moved to Perth
'I know there is a romanticism about these grounds but they don’t have the infrastructure to satisfy NRL or A-League standards,' one fan posted.
And while the atmosphere was electric, the wild nature of the hill and $55 per person entry fee at Leichardt is locking out children and seniors from attending games, Fox Sports commentator Warren Smith said.
'Take a close look at this picture and tell me what you don’t see,' he posted on social media platform X, referring to a photo of fans watching the action from the hill at Leichhardt.
'The answer is children. And seniors.
'The hill at
