The wounds of his old club's merger with Wests haven't healed yet but for former Balmain great Gary Leo, the Wests Tigers' charge towards the National Rugby League title has him excited about rugby league again.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In his own words, Leo played "about 330 or 340 games" for the Tigers in a sparkling career that spanned from 1963 to 1974 but like a lot of supporters from both clubs, became disillusioned when the joint venture was formed in 2000.
"I was very disappointed with the whole thing because Balmain could have survived on their own under the criteria that was set out," he said.
"But over the last couple of years I have warmed to them and I really enjoy watching them play, they are still the Tigers and still gold and black."
The Tigers will meet Brisbane at Aussie Stadium this Sunday for the right to move into the NRL preliminary final against St George-Illawarra the following week.
Ironically, Leo, who is now the manager of Dubbo Railway Bowling Club, believes the current crop of Tigers are playing a style of football that Brisbane used to use.
"When I played it was all about letting the ball do the work," he said.
"Now, it is about the man doing the work.
"Guys bash it up the middle and play for field position but I think the reason the Tigers are going so well is they are playing the older style of football.
"Brisbane used to do it and you only had to look at the success they had in the 1990s by doing it, they were a bloody good team."
Every year Leo attends a reunion of Balmain players from the 1969 grand final winning team.
The event is held at Leichhardt Oval in June at a Wests Tigers game and gives him a chance to catch up with some of his old mates.
"I played with and against a lot of great players in my time," he said.
"Guys like Peter Provan, Dave Bolton and John Spencer were great, I could go on all day about them all."
The former second rower, who was nominated for the Tigers 'Team of the Century', believes they have the ability to claim the title, adding players like Benji Marshall could start something special at the club.
"You look at what some of the things guys like Marshall can do and the crowds they are getting back to their games," he said.
"It's great that these kind of things are happening and I think there could be some special times ahead for the club."
