Party like it's 2005: How Tim's Tigers stunned the world

Even after 20 years, it's still one of the most baffling mysteries in rugby league history.

How exactly did a team quoted as 150/1 midway through the season manage to claim the game's greatest prize?

In 2005, Wests Tigers stunned the league world by shuffling, side-stepping and flick-passing their way to grand final glory over the North Queensland Cowboys.

While the code has seen numerous underdog stories unfold in the ensuing two decades, none have quite managed to knock the Class of '05 off their perch.

With Wests Tigers celebrating their maiden premiership by donning 2005 heritage jerseys this Sunday against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, NRL.com revisits the remarkable story of the game's most unlikely champions.

In many ways, Wests Tigers had a rougher start to life than Oliver Twist.

Following the merger of Balmain and Western Suburbs at the end of 1999, the joint venture struggled both on and off the field for their first three seasons. Then along came Tim Sheens.

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