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A hat-trick from skipper Jarome Luai has not only silenced his critics but helped Wests Tigers farewell Leichhardt Oval in the best way possible with a come-from-behind 36-28 win over Gold Coast.

Since Luai announced last month he would be joining the PNG Chiefs in 2028, his team's fortunes have waned, causing some to say his departure decision had become a distraction.

But his three four-pointers on Sunday including two in the final 10 minutes proved crucial, especially as the nearly 18,000-strong crowd were in a farewell party mood.

Leichhardt Oval has been home to Balmain and then Wests Tigers games since 1934. But it is closing for major renovations over the next 18 months before the NRL team returns in 2028.

Benji Marhsall's men needed to make a response after last week's 68-0 humiliation against Penrith and they did.

Tries to Starford To'a and Taylan May put the home side up 12-0 after 25 minutes.

But then the brilliance of Titans No.1 Keano Kini started to shine, especially busting tackles up the middle or in his support play.

He was heavily involved in three quick Gold Coast tries as halftime neared to Jayden Campbell, Kurtis Morrin and Arama Hau for the visitors to take an 18-12 lead into the break.

Despite showers hitting Leichhardt Oval to start the second half, the Titans were not bothered.

A Zane Harrison short pass put Beau Fermor over for his side's fourth try, making it 24 unanswered points from the Titans.

But skipper Luai hit back with a fine individual try and the Leichhardt crowd found their voice. When 40-20 attempt from Harrison went out on the full, Tigers fans let the young halfback know about it.

A try under the posts to the Tigers' Alex Seyfarth locked scores up at 24-all with 25 minutes to play, before Luai completing the first hat-trick of his career put the result beyond doubt.

It wasn't all good news for the joint venture club.

As if the Wests Tigers didn't have enough injuries already they added another in England back rower Kai Pearce-Paul early in the match, with a left pectoral strain. Scans will determine how long he is on the sidelines.

One of the drawcards for the game was Kini coming up against another stunning young custodian in Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula.

Both men were elusive with their kick returns and run metres.

But Kini was a stand out with 316 metres from 30 runs, four line breaks and three try assists.

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A big response from Wests, who looked so down and so out after last week's disaster against Penrith.

Jarome Luai crosses twice in the final ten minutes to send off the old Leichhardt Oval in style.

The Tigers remain in touching distance of the league's top eight, while Gold Coast, after a pretty valiant effort, end the round in 16th.

Pole loses the ball on his own 30 and the Titans are on the attack.

A Campbell kick is deflected on the last, the Tigers recover and then Haas gives away a penalty for a high tackle.

They’re so close.

Kini throws a wild pass to Campbell deep inside the Titans 20, they were getting jammed up and he was desperate. Campbell knocks it on and the Tigers have a big chance now.

Luai swings left, he goes to May, May’s pass is knocked down by the Titans but it falls for Luai who scores his second!

Madden converts and the Tigers lead 30-28!

Turuva loses it on a bomb but the ref pings the Titans for an escort. They challenge and it’s ruled inconclusive, so they retain the challenge.

Tigers on the attack but can’t close, a bomb on the last is shut down. It’s getting crazy.

Turuva gets mixed up on a bomb and ends up being trapped in his own in-goal.

Next set the Titans go left, Campbell had a great tip on and Sami is over in the corner to break the deadlock.

Campbell can’t convert but it’s 28-24 Titans.

Harrison puts it out on the full and the Tigers are on the attack. An offside penalty gives them a fresh set.

Madden goes inside to Seyfarth and he runs over a few blokes to bash his way in for a try!

This game is going off! Madden converts and it’s square at 24-all.

A Titans error puts the Tigers on the attack, Luai goes flat to May on the last, he holds up the ball and pops it back to Luai who scores!

Madden converts and it’s back to 24-18 Titans. Game on!

The Titans are over again! This time it’s Fermor, he pulls through from close range.

Once Campbell converts its 24-12 Titans, that’s a damn big lead!

Brimson puts Kini away again, a nice ball around midfield, and the fullback has Hau in support to score!

The Titans have turned this game on its head in a matter of moments. Campbell converts and its 18-12 Gold Coast.

Pascoe hits Kini up the middle and he’s away, Morrin is in support and the cover converges but he scores!

Titans back in the fight. Campbell converts and it’s 12-all.

Fermor pops a pass to Kini to put him in the clear and the Gold Coast fullback has Campbell in support to score a very good try from range.

Both the pass from Fermor to Kini and the ball from Kini to Campbell were a bit suspect but the ref says play on.

Campbell converts and its 12-6 Titans.

Kini fumbles a Madden bomb in contest with Bula and the Tigers fullback finds May who scores!

It was messy, it’ll need to be cleared…and it is! Madden converts - not easy in the wind - and the Tigers lead 12-0.

A great interchange of passing from the Titans through Harrison and Kini, he goes inside to De Groot but Seyfarth makes a super trysaver. It’s ruled high though, so Gold Coast are ok the attack.

Campbell goes inside to Pascoe but it’s ruled forward. Tigers hold it.

A big kick return from Sami puts the Titans on the attack and earns a set restart.

They go left on the last but Fermor gets muscled over the sideline. Tigers hang on.

A sweep right on the last looks good for the Tigers but the Titans knock down the pass. Fresh set for the home side.

They spread it left, Luai throws a nice out ball and it creates the space for To’a to score in the corner!

Wests strike first. Madden converts and it’s 6-0 Tigers.