'It's been a tough 18-months': Klemmer embarrassed by victory celebration

David Klemmer has admitted he was embarrassed by his animated celebration after Eels fullback Clint Gutherson’s failed full-time penalty goal attempt handed Wests Tigers a 17-16 win at Commbank Stadium last Monday.

Klemmer, a Parramatta junior now in his second season with Wests Tigers after stints at Canterbury and Newcastle, watched as Gutherson missed the kick and raised his right fist under his left forearm in an “up yours” gesture.

Vision of the incident went viral after the match and Klemmer said he was embarrassed when his son showed him a video posted on social media.

The former Kangaroos prop insisted the gesture wasn't directed at Gutherson and he had been over exuberant in his celebrations after the team survived the sin-binning of star rookie Lachlan Galvin to record their second consecutive win.

"I was a bit embarrassed after I'd calmed down,” Klemmer said. "It was pure enjoyment - there's no malice to 'Gutho', I shook his hand afterwards.

"We were lucky enough he shanked the kick and we got the two points. It was pure happiness in winning a footy game.

"It has been a tough 18 months and to string two wins together so far is good and it's got a bit of confidence in the footy club.

“It wasn't our best win, it was pretty ugly, but I think last year we probably would have lost that game - losing a player [to the sinbin] and a lot of the errors we made as well. To be there at the 80th minute, win or lose, it was a great team effort.”

Wests Tigers players returned to training on Thursday to prepare for Saturday night's match against the top-of-the-table Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

It has been six years since the club enjoyed three consecutive wins, but Klemmer said the coaching staff, headed by Benji Marshall, had ensured the players remained focused on the task ahead.

“It was great to get those two wins, but we’re now working hard and getting ready for a big game against the Dolphins," he said.

“We're just taking it day by day and learning, and coming to train and ripping in. It's two wins but it's a 27-round season.

“The last couple of weeks, we've really come together and we're working hard for each other, playing desperate, and it's been real fun.”