The in-form Sydney Roosters have produced their most intimidating performance of the season to close in on an NRL top-eight finish while consigning Wests Tigers to a record-breaking 72-6 loss.
In their last game at the SCG before a return to Allianz Stadium, the Roosters scored the biggest-ever win at the historic ground while the Tigers suffered their worst defeat in 23 seasons as a joint venture.
The loss crippled the Tigers' already dismal points differential and all but confirms they will need to win again this season to avoid their first wooden spoon.
It also reiterated just how difficult a task Tim Sheens and his new-look coaching staff will have in turning the struggling club around from next season.
The heavy defeat was compounded late on, captain James Tamou was sin-binned for dissent but had his punishment upgraded to a send-off for calling referee Ben Cummins "f*****g incompetent" as he left the field.
Uncontracted for 2023 and with a suspension looming, Tamou conceded the verbal attack could have ended his career.
"I actually didn't think of that until someone just mentioned it. My heart dropped," a contrite Tamou said.
"I've got to be accountable for my actions.
"I've got four kids at home and that's how they have to see their dad."
The sixth-placed Roosters must win one of their last two games to guarantee themselves a finals berth but could still qualify with losses to Melbourne and South Sydney if other results fall their way.
"We didn't have a lapse in our intensity in our defence, we didn't have a lapse in our support or the power we were running with," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
"I was really happy."
The Roosters were never challenged by the Tigers, who did not have the defensive steel to stifle the home side's edges, nor the firepower to match it with rival halves pairing Luke Keary and Sam Walker once the onslaught began.
On the cusp of signing a new deal, second-rower Angus Crichton barged over for two tries in four first-half minutes.
Both came directly after poor kicks from Tigers halves Jock Madden and Adam Doueihi, who struggled all night to boot the visitors out of trouble.
Crichton's second row counterpart Nat Butcher had a career-best night, scoring more tries in 80 minutes than he did in the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined.
He crossed four times, opening the scoring in the 11th minute before completing his haul in the 75th as part of a 12-try romp.
The Tigers' defence through the middle was just as brittle and could not contain James Tedesco and Victor Radley.
The away side were also short of answers with the ball and lost Luke Garner (concussion), Ken Maumalo (groin) and Alex Seyfarth (shoulder) along the way.
Their only try came from a Brent Naden intercept with seven minutes to play.
Despite his side suffering the biggest defeat so far on a weekend of thrashings, Tigers interim coach Brett Kimmorley refused to accept his playing group had stopped trying with the season approaching its end.
"We played a pretty good football side that are in some good form," he said.
"61 per cent possession to the Roosters, they ran for 2040 metres, we ran for 942. We got suffocated.
"I won't ever criticise anyone as giving up.
"It's a pretty difficult time at the moment but we just need to stay connected."
Victor Radley was reported for entering a tackle on Joe Ofahengaue late but appears unlikely to face time on the sidelines.
