Sat 25th May: SL: Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves KO 17:30 (UK time) (Sky)

[Dave T]

I do think the commentary is lacking in credit for our defensive efforts.

[Futtocks]

A shame Da Costa went off so early, as the Catalans' attack might have been a bit more potent.

[Phil]

4 minutes ago, Dave T said:

You can't slap players. Nobody forced the Catalans lad to slap him. 

Give over it was a tap and Warrington knew if they reacted they’d get the penalty.

The game was over by then there was no need for it 

[Futtocks]

Just now, Phil said:

Give over it was a tap and Warrington knew if they reacted they’d get the penalty.

The game was over by then there was no need for it 

Exactly; there was no need for it, but he did it anyway.

[48C North Stand]

Very entertaining rugby. Enjoyed that. Well done to the Wire - great following too. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

I’m surprised nobody has said ‘it’ yet…

[Dave T]

9 minutes ago, Phil said:

Give over it was a tap and Warrington knew if they reacted they’d get the penalty.

The game was over by then there was no need for it 

It wasn't controversial. You can't slap players. 

[Phil]

Kyle Amore’s phone rings on live tv, how amateurish can we get? 

[Chrispmartha]

Im pleased for Warrington fans that they're going well. Everyone seemed to be taking the mick out of the club when it was going bad with powell, then when they appointed Burgess.

Must be a great feeling for the fans to be able to be a bit smug at the moment.

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

As a Dracs' fan, I have very mixed feelings about this game.

On the one hand, I am obviously disappointed by the result.  On the other, it was close and intense, and as such was a very good game to watch; well done to both teams.  It somewhat restores my faith in our game having seen a few rather ordinary games of late.  It was also good to be reminded that a low scoring game can be a very good game, not least of all because, by definition, it is close.

Before the season began, I thought that this year - and possibly next too - would be one of rebuilding for the Dragons.  So, their success so far this season has already exceeded my expectations for them.  I thought they would finish about sixth, and I still do.

There is nothing much wrong with the Dracs' defence - today, they have conceded 16 points against a side averaging 26 per game - but their attack has started to look very ordinary.  They need to think, in particular, about their half-backs; Fages looks steady, but no more, while Abdull looks increasingly unable to impose himself on a game.

Well done, the Wire - a deserved win.

[Reliant Robin]

Great game to watch. Terrific defensive performance from Wire. Abdul looks in terrible condition, really thought Macca would have addressed his fitness issues by now. Dare I say Wire look like the real deal and this could be there year

[bratman]

Abdull looks way off the pace these days

[JohnM]

3 hours ago, Dave T said:

I do think the commentary is lacking in credit for our defensive efforts.

Well deserved win. Excellent defence and almost-there in attack. Thewlis continues to improve and impress, and Williams looks back to his best.

My recollection is that the Sky team gave lots of credit to Warrington defence, on one occasion raving about how they'd kept Cats at bay on the try-line for 18 consecutive tackles (which were a result of.six-agains to Cats)

[Loiner]

3 hours ago, Dave T said:

I do think the commentary is lacking in credit for our defensive efforts.

Personally I thought they gave loads of credit to the Warrington defence. Entertaining game I thought Warrington were excellent. Abdull remains a one trick pony for me.

 

 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

1 hour ago, bratman said:

Abdull looks way off the pace these days

Except the eating stakes....he was blowing after 5 minutes. Always annoyed me he was at least a stone overweight for a half but now he's nearer two stone 

In defense he looks knackered just trying to get on side never mind tackle 

He also doesn't seem to kick as high/ long now

 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

4 hours ago, Dave T said:

I do think the commentary is lacking in credit for our defensive efforts.

Maybe the match commentary but in summary I think it was Amor who said it was a classic example of a win built on rock solid defence 

JJB was also hinting they were striving to emulate his God-like levels of fitness/effort in D ( his word not mine) 

His choppers still look weird 

[sentoffagain2]

   Catalan are no way near the side of the last couple of seasons.But Warrington have improved no end.Burgess has added steel to the Wire and there is no reason why they can't challenge Wigan and Saints to be a permanent top 3 or 4 side.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

33 minutes ago, Loiner said:

Personally I thought they gave loads of credit to the Warrington defence. Entertaining game I thought Warrington were excellent. Abdull remains a one trick pony for me.

 

 

Yes and...

Abdull was never a one trick pony ( I assume you are referring to his kicking game and maybe specifically the height  he can kick) ....I always felt he had a knack for making very good last play options and crucially varied it ...he is also very good at disguising kick types....seen him send quality grubber kicks into the line whilst literally looking to the opposite side as if he is aiming a skier 

As previous post he now just looks too heavy....it's much harder to engage good rugby nouse when your heart rate is 190bpm and you can't breathe....compare him to Williams who's fitness was incomparable 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2024 by Bedfordshire Bronco

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

3 hours ago, Wiltshire Warrior Dragon said:

As a Dracs' fan, I have very mixed feelings about this game.

On the one hand, I am obviously disappointed by the result.  On the other, it was close and intense, and as such was a very good game to watch; well done to both teams.  It somewhat restores my faith in our game having seen a few rather ordinary games of late.  It was also good to be reminded that a low scoring game can be a very good game, not least of all because, by definition, it is close.

Before the season began, I thought that this year - and possibly next too - would be one of rebuilding for the Dragons.  So, their success so far this season has already exceeded my expectations for them.  I thought they would finish about sixth, and I still do.

There is nothing much wrong with the Dracs' defence - today, they have conceded 16 points against a side averaging 26 per game - but their attack has started to look very ordinary.  They need to think, in particular, about their half-backs; Fages looks steady, but no more, while Abdull looks increasingly unable to impose himself on a game.

Well done, the Wire - a deserved win.

After the Leeds game this was a God send in terms of intensity 

Edited May 25, 2024 by Bedfordshire Bronco

[RayCee]

The consensus at a Catalan forum is of late recruitment has let them down. New players coming in haven't matched outgoing ones for quality. While they have a tough pack, their attack is predictable and boring.

It sounds about right to me. 

[ATLANTISMAN]

Would agree with most comments on here congrats to the wire they deserved it.

Vid up on my you tube channel later

 

P

[Dave T]

9 hours ago, JohnM said:

Well deserved win. Excellent defence and almost-there in attack. Thewlis continues to improve and impress, and Williams looks back to his best.

My recollection is that the Sky team gave lots of credit to Warrington defence, on one occasion raving about how they'd kept Cats at bay on the try-line for 18 consecutive tackles (which were a result of.six-agains to Cats)

 

8 hours ago, Loiner said:

Personally I thought they gave loads of credit to the Warrington defence. Entertaining game I thought Warrington were excellent. Abdull remains a one trick pony for me.

 

 

My comment was at a time where they focused heavily on Catalans attack. Unfortunately Sky are not great at nuance, and struggle to get more than one point across. 

I think it was Amor who changed the narrative and raved over the defence. 

[Barry Badrinath]

5 hours ago, RayCee said:

The consensus at a Catalan forum is of late recruitment has let them down. New players coming in haven't matched outgoing ones for quality. While they have a tough pack, their attack is predictable and boring.

It sounds about right to me. 

Catalans seem to be doing (sky noted this last night but I'd worried about this previously) what Huddersfield were doing last year,  way too much tinkering with 1,6 and 7.

 

Fages has been brought in and they've not committed to him as first choice 7