Sat 14th Oct: Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons KO 18:00 (Sky)

[NRLandSL]

KPP was fantastic, my MOTM. Big loss for Wigan but they are making some great signings. Leeming, Thomson, Walters and Keighran and Chan all fantastic signings and Wigan will only get better.

[Just Browny]

The pitch at OT makes for a suffocating game. Almost zero chance of forcing a drop out or getting a result off a grubber when the in-goal is a stride in width. It's the same for both sides of course and Catalans should have been prepared for it, but it limits the attacking options when you're chasing the game.

Edited October 14, 2023 by Just Browny

[GeordieSaint]

2 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

The pitch at OT makes for a suffocating game. Almost zero chance of forcing a drop out or getting a result off a grubber when the in-goal is a stride in width. It's the same for both sides of course and Catalans should have been prepared for it, but it limits the attacking options when you're chasing the game.

It limits the options when you are not in the opposition 20m area at all. I’d love to see the stats on how many play the balls each had in the opposition’s 20m area…

[HawkMan]

1 minute ago, Just Browny said:

The pitch at OT makes for a suffocating game. Almost zero chance of forcing a drop out or getting a result off a grubber when the in-goal is a stride in width. It's the same for both sides of course and Catalans should have been prepared for it, but it limits the attacking options when you're chasing the game.

The FA have ditched OT for Euro 2028, perhaps SL should follow suit.

[DavidM]

5 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

The pitch at OT makes for a suffocating game. Almost zero chance of forcing a drop out or getting a result off a grubber when the in-goal is a stride in width. It's the same for both sides of course and Catalans should have been prepared for it, but it limits the attacking options when you're chasing the game.

Good point . Repeat sets are a big part of the game 

[eal]

The Grand Final should be played at a venue that can accommodate a rugby league-sized pitch.

[Ullman]

16 minutes ago, Rovers13 said:

I’m not sure on the first yellow but 2nd was def a yellow, but first one you shouldn’t put yourself in that situation tbh. 

As the old saying goes, don't give the referee a call to make. Wigan to their credit just didn't do that.

[The Masked Poster]

I wanted Cats to win but Wigan deserved the win, so no complaints.

I was planning to listen on the radio but got asked to go for a drink at a pub.... which had the game on. Naturally the DJ kicked in with about 30 mins to go, which does tend to affect the excitement level.

[Guest]

Game struck me as average. One of those key moments jobs.

As a fan, main gripe was PA system. Could not understand a word of anything or the band.

Having sat through the world cup opener fiasco, feels a bit too frequent to be unlucky. 

Gutted for Catalans. 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Leonard

[Derwent]

Well done to Wigan, the best team by far on the day. They got a stranglehold on Catalans attack and never let go. The fitness levels of the Wigan team are superb, their kick chase was as good in the last 10 mins as it was in the first 10.

[Stanley30]

Boring % rugby game.

 

Christ what has happened to our game

[Josef K]

Fair play to Wigan strong in attack and defence, i did enjoy the match as i wasn’t bothered who won. There was some bone rattling crunching tackles, RL is a tough old sport. 

I was wondering if McNamara let Wellens and his coaching staff take over the kicking game for the night, it was very Saints-esq, poor. 

[Josef K]

5 minutes ago, Stanley30 said:

Boring % rugby game.

 

Christ what has happened to our game

Has he got back to you!!. 

[Hull Kingston Bronco]

I’ve always defended Old Trafford, it’s a bit of a cauldron with stands compact to the pitch, and we’ve decades of history there now. But have to say for me tonight was one tight, limited, defensive game too many.

Too often Grand Finals have not reflected what rugby league has been like in the season. I’ve put it down to the pressure of the event, or the changing autumnal weather, but more and more now I’m thinking it’s the inappropriateness of the pitch fundamentally changing the in-game mechanics. 

It’s a bit like playing the GF on Castleford’s postage stamp pitch, and nobody wants that…

[redsi42]

Old Trafford is a dump the pitch isn’t anywhere near suitable for a rl game and the spectacle suffers as a result. 
 

boring game. 
 

well done Wigan played the venue better than the dragons,  but what an anticlimax. 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

28 minutes ago, eal said:

The Grand Final should be played at a venue that can accommodate a rugby league-sized pitch.

It looked particularly bad this year did didn't it 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

Just now, Hull Kingston Bronco said:

I’ve always defended Old Trafford, it’s a bit of a cauldron with stands compact to the pitch, and we’ve decades of history there now. But have to say for me tonight was one tight, limited, defensive game too many.

Too often Grand Finals have not reflected what rugby league has been like in the season. I’ve put it down to the pressure of the event, or the changing autumnal weather, but more and more now I’m thinking it’s the inappropriateness of the pitch fundamentally changing the in-game mechanics. 

It’s a bit like playing the GF on Castleford’s postage stamp pitch, and nobody wants that…

Agreed ....OT is terrible

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

2 minutes ago, redsi42 said:

Old Trafford is a dump the pitch isn’t anywhere near suitable for a rl game and the spectacle suffers as a result. 
 

boring game. 
 

well done Wigan played the venue better than the dragons,  but what an anticlimax. 

A complete dump of an area, ground and pitch 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

30 minutes ago, Leonard said:

Game struck me as average. One of those key moments jobs.

As a fan, main gripe was PA system. Could not understand a word of anything or the band.

Having sat through the world cup opener fiasco, feels a bit too frequent to be unlucky. 

Gutted for Catalans. 

Average??? 

Did you watch it? 

Awful !

[Father Ted]

Wigan deserved to win but either team tonight would have beaten anyone else in SL.

 

[doc]

Isn't there plans to redevelop OT? So, maybe the RFL would have to find a new venue.

 

[Mumby Magic]

If people think that's a boring game, this is one if reasons why are game is full of negativity and struggles. Rugby League will never break any shackles if the fans have this view of the game. Game not decided till last eighth of game. 

[The Masked Poster]

Some OTT comments here. I've seen many fantastic grand finals at OT. The in goal area is short, that's true but it didn't seem to prevent some proper nailbiters such as the 2002 final. 

It is what we make it. 

[Chrispmartha]

4 minutes ago, Mumby Magic said:

If people think that's a boring game, this is one if reasons why are game is full of negativity and struggles. Rugby League will never break any shackles if the fans have this view of the game. Game not decided till last eighth of game. 

Not really. I love the game and try to be positive but that was a boring game, there’s nothing wrong with that, they happen in every sport. A game being close doesn’t automatically make it exciting.

[JohnM]

4 minutes ago, Mumby Magic said:

If people think that's a boring game, this is one if reasons why are game is full of negativity and struggles. Rugby League will never break any shackles if the fans have this view of the game. Game not decided till last eighth of game. 

I agree. It was only in the last 5 mins that I was confident that Catalans wouldn't snatch victory against the run of play very much like in the semi final.