THE Wests Tigers will make a return to Scully Park during the 2020 NRL season after the new fixture was released on Tuesday.
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The Tigers will clash with 2019 grand finalists the Canberra Raiders in a Saturday afternoon fixture on May 9.
Canberra will be the third team in as many seasons to take on the Tigers in Tamworth, after the Newcastle Knights featured in 2018 and the Gold Coast Titans earlier this year.
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Raiders great and Tamworth native Alan Tongue welcomed the news, telling the Leader the fixture was "a real win for Tamworth".
"One of the best things about releasing the fixture so early before the season starts is that it gives families the chance to plan a trip to regional centres like Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Bathurst for the games," Tongue said.
"Given the drought is taking a toll on places such as Tamworth, it's more important than ever to host events like these in regional places.
"Hopefully, it will not only give the local economy a boost, but will also give locals a bit of chance to get out, have some fun and get a bit of a boost as well."
Playing 220 games with the Raiders between 2000 and 2011, Tongue said seeing his club play in his hometown would be "very special".
"I think the commitment the league and the Tigers are making to bringing the game to regional places, such as Tamworth, is terrific," he said.
"Over the last couple of years they have had really great crowds turn out to Scully Park to watch the games.
"If that can continue, I think Tamworth will become ingrained into the fixture much like Wagga and Bathurst.
"From there, it will help continue to boost the economies of those places and continue to build the game in the bush for the next generation."
The Raiders fell agonisingly short in this year's grand final to the Roosters, a result Tongue said would motivate the side.
"I think this clash between the Raiders and the Tigers has the makings of really close game," he said.
"Both sides have got really strong rosters and are building some really exciting momentum.
"This year the Raiders did go extremely close and I think that result will only make them more determined for next year.
"They have got some fresh faces in the ranks, so I think 2020 could be an exciting year for the Raiders."