'Next level': Wests Tigers launch initiative to create unique atmosphere

Wests Tigers fans will have their own slice of Leichhardt and Campbelltown when they descend on CommBank Stadium for an Easter Monday showdown with the Eels. 

The club has created a standing room section behind the northern tryline in a bid to replicate the famed hills at their two primary venues. 

The idea is the brainchild of new Wests Tigers head of fan engagement Ben Trupiano, who has seen first-hand the unique atmosphere created by standing terraces in different sports around the globe. 

"We're unique as a club that we have many venues but the hill is the one constant," Trupiano told NRL.com. "We've heard feedback from fans, we know our fans love the suburban experience so we wanted to try and do what we can to take that on the road.

"We're conscious CommBank Stadium is used by three clubs so we wanted a point of difference. Sometimes we go to other stadiums that aren't as homely as Leichhardt Oval or Campbelltown Stadium so we needed a point of difference. 

"This is that difference. The Hill is now the one constant throughout all our games this year at Leichhardt, Campbelltown and CommBank and it buys into the 'one jungle' theme we've worked hard to create."

The Hill has been made possible by a design feature introduced when CommBank Stadium was constructed, with designers building in the capability for seats at each end of the ground to be removed to create standing terraces.

The Tigers' Easter Monday game is one of the biggest on their calendar each year and this season will be no different, with a full house expected at the ground.

The club is thriving on the field after the off-season arrival of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva and sat seventh on the ladder heading into the weekend. 

The Tigers, however, will enter Monday's match on the back of a week of turmoil after it was announced Lachlan Galvin will depart the club at the end of next year. 

The teenaged five-eighth will not line up at CommBank Stadium and will instead play in NSW Cup this weekend. 

The Eels will welcome back former Tiger Mitchell Moses for his first game of the season. 

The Wests Tigers players are eager to put a week of controversy behind them and make a statement on the field in front of their passionate fans. 

The early feedback regarding the Hill from Tigers supporters has been positive and Trupiano said it will be the place to be at a pumping CommBank Stadium on Monday afternoon.

"The Tigers atmosphere is unique in itself, especially with the Hill," he said. "It will take elements of English soccer, where you have fans standing behind the goal. There's rugby league and rugby union teams in the UK that also have standing terrace-style areas as well.

"When the Tigers are running down that end, it will be amazing to be right on top of any tries that come through under the posts. We're on track for a sell out, it will be a massive crowd, Easter Monday is always an amazing atmosphere but this will take it to the next level."