Fri 27 Nov: SL Grand Final: Wigan Warriors v St Helens KO 8pm (Sky)

[Wigan Riversider]

2 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Starting to feel a little for the Wigan fans on here.

To lose in the final seconds to anyone would hurt, but it must be brutal when it’s Saints.

It reminds me when I heard The Stone Roses were splitting up and there was no helpline! 

Were you at Spike Island

Fine film too

[Gerrumonside ref]

Just now, Jim Prendle said:

There is mate. My 14 day self isolation finishes at midnight, so at least I can go out tomorrow, even if it's only to go shopping.

If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything.  Take care.

[Jim Prendle]

Just now, Gerrumonside ref said:

If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything.  Take care.

In that regard mate, I'm as lucky as a St. Helens drop goal attempt.

Goodnight.

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 minute ago, Wigan Riversider said:

Were you at Spike Island

Fine film too

I wish, just a tad too young although I once worked with a lad who was at the Blackpool gig that was filmed.

[Rupert Prince]

2 minutes ago, Jim Prendle said:

There is mate. My 14 day self isolation finishes at midnight, so at least I can go out tomorrow, even if it's only to go shopping.

Ah... shopping.  That 20 minutes of visceral excitement and tension in the co-op.  

[Jim Prendle]

Just now, Rupert Prince said:

Ah... shopping.  That 20 minutes of visceral excitement and tension in the co-op.  

You must go to a very different supermarket than the one I go to mate, but fair play to ya.

[Man of Kent]

Loved the post-match. Such warmth.
You Northern folk are alright. 

[CrushersForever]

11 minutes ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

40-- 50 years from now people will still be talking about the Welsby Grand Final in the same hushed tones as the watersplash Challenge Cup final in 1968.

It's going to simplify coaching kids for years to come as well.

"Do you know why you never switch off, and always keep working? This."

[Wigan Riversider]

Just now, Man of Kent said:

Loved the post-match. Such warmth.
You Northern folk are alright. 

We are magnificent

[Rupert Prince]

5 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

There’s always next year, Jim.

Ah...  Winning the shield shows you are the best side... I

Lots of people on here say that...

[Jim Prendle]

1 minute ago, Man of Kent said:

Loved the post-match. Such warmth.
You Northern folk are alright. 

Kent? Are you even allowed to touch the keyboard? Surely you are putting us all in danger by even posting on here?

[Gerrumonside ref]

Just now, Man of Kent said:

Loved the post-match. Such warmth.
You Northern folk are alright. 

Much earned respect I think within that rivalry even if it’s not a lovefest on the surface.

[Man of Kent]

Just now, Jim Prendle said:

Kent? Are you even allowed to touch the keyboard? Surely you are putting us all in danger by even posting on here?

Hehe. Don’t go there. I’m not in the part where they seemingly lick each other’s faces in the street. That’s east Kent.

[Padge]

2 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

Loved the post-match. Such warmth.
You Northern folk are alright. 

Exactly, don't judge Northerners by the standard set by those Yorkshire twohats, the majority are sound.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

8 minutes ago, Rupert Prince said:

The ball bounced 'sideways'. 

The drop was on/off side, the touch down just did it in millimetres.   It was a fluke.  But its on the scoreboard.  

Dampen! Oh do grow up.  When your team lost, to a fluke, I think one can be entitled to be damp.  Especially when earlier Hasings tackle was not a foul.  Far worse was allowed by both sides.

Wigan should not have gone for the attempted goal, but gone for another 6.  Then it would have probably gone to golden point (assuming Wigan had not got a drop themselves) ...  and that would have been unsatisfactory as well.

Little between both sides.  I would have expected Saints to be more dangerous with their backs.  But Wigan looked better out on the wings.  So the game opposite to what I expected.

Yes, dampen. You called it a joke. If that's not dampening, I don't know what is.

Grow up? This post sounds more and more like a tantrum!

Some many parts to that final try made it more than just luck. There was luck, but you create your own luck in sport. They still had to take the shot, and they still had to chase the ball, and he still needed to put it down before going over the dead ball line. It was an amazing piece of skill to end the game. I understand you're upset, but don't diminish the efforts as a fluke and a joke. When you've settled down after the first settles, I think you'll realise that those comments were grossly unfair.

[Jim Prendle]

2 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

Hehe. Don’t go there. I’m not in the part where they seemingly lick each other’s faces in the street. That’s east Kent.

They do that in Hull as well. Very strange folk over there.

[Man of Kent]

4 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Much earned respect I think within that rivalry even if it’s not a lovefest on the surface.

You rarely see so much genuine mutual respect in sport. I suppose bashing the #### out of each other all night must make people very emotionally honest.

[Padge]

Just now, Wellsy4HullFC said:

Yes, dampen. You called it a joke. If that's not dampening, I don't know what is.

Grow up? This post sounds more and more like a tantrum!

Some many parts to that final try made it more than just luck. There was luck, but you create your own luck in sport. They still had to take the shot, and they still had to chase the ball, and he still needed to put it down before going over the dead ball line. It was an amazing piece of skill to end the game. I understand you're upset, but don't diminish the efforts as a fluke and a joke. When you've settled down after the first settles, I think you'll realise that those comments were grossly unfair.

If it had happened in the middle of the game it would hardly be commented on other than why didn't French slap it dead.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Just now, Man of Kent said:

You rarely see so much genuine mutual respect in sport. I suppose bashing the #### out of each other all night must make people very emotionally honest.

Yes, like two boxers embracing at the end of a tough fight after much pre-fight mouthing off.

[Wigan Riversider]

4 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

I wish, just a tad too young although I once worked with a lad who was at the Blackpool gig that was filmed.

Seen some genuine footage of Spike Island on YouTube. 

Intended to go to tribute event this year celebrating 30 years but covid put paid to that idea. 

Didn't go in 1990 either but a pal remembers Manchester going mental on the day of the gig. Life defining. Seminal. 

A bit like tonight's game in reality

[Skids]

Amazing game. Immense defence from both teams. Sporting drama at it's best.

[Eddie]

23 minutes ago, GUBRATS said:

Didn't really enjoy the game , it was a bit rubbish , not really a fan of the ' intensity ' hype , but the finish was fantastic , be interesting if they show it on the news 

Leigh v Hunslet would have been better tbf. 

[Jim Prendle]

1 minute ago, Eddie said:

Leigh v Hunslet would have been better tbf. 

The last time Leigh were involved in an intense game, they still had a train station.

[longboard]

Congratulations to Saints.

[EagleEyePie]

Absolutely gutted by how that ended. Probably the best Grand Final I've ever seen. I suppose there was always going to be a huge defining moment in the game - but for it to come in the last seconds. That's hard to take.

So much credit must go to the players for what they've put themselves through this year. Also to the coaching and backroom staff at all the clubs too. They had to put the effort in to allow us all to see an amazing Grand Final.

It feels like we made some costly mistakes but we win and lose as a team. Hardaker's decision to go for the 2 seemed misguided at the time but it's easier to say that confidently in hindsight. And Saints still had to go up the other end of the field to get the winner. Just as crucial was Smithies penalty just before half time. A very silly decision and he's learnt the hard way. The penalty against Hastings was tough to take too. He made a cracking tackle at a time when Saints were in great position. That was cruel, but ultimately the ref will make a mistake in big games too.

It was a fitting final game for both Graham and O'Loughlin. With them both bowing out at the same time in a Grand Final it just had to be an incredible game.

Looking back over the whole of the season and what happened tonight I'm delighted with Wigan's season. I didn't expect a trophy from us this year. Compared to Saints we've had a bit more disruption and half way through the year I didn't think we'd be able to compete with them that well. Considering our marquee signing has been basically unable to play properly, our signing to strengthen the pack (Clark) hasn't worked out at all, our best performing prop was injured for the end of the season (Havard), our two first choice wingers were out injured and then Flower got injured in the semi final - I think the team has done so well to reach that standard. It's really promising for next year that there's so much room to strengthen. It's depressing to lose a Grand Final in such a way, but the bigger picture is we've still got our sport and our teams after what has been an horrendous year.

I don't know how I'm going to cope until March.