Sat 28th-Sun 29th Sept: The Betfred Championship Match Thread

[The Blues Ox]

10 hours ago, SUPERSTUD said:

Attended Dewsbury v Sheffield. Deary Deary me what is going on at Sheffield? They were a right rabble today and completely out enthused by what was predominantly a recent team of amateurs. Something is drastically wrong behind the scenes at Sheffield.

You wonder if they get a new coach next season if they are going to be able to continue to seemingly over achieve like they had done under Aston and with them falling apart after his suspension I think it highlights his influence even more.

[Agbrigg]

2 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

You wonder if they get a new coach next season if they are going to be able to continue to seemingly over achieve like they had done under Aston and with them falling apart after his suspension I think it highlights his influence even more.

Yes Mark Aston has done a remarkable job at Sheffield. Makes you wonder what the future holds for the club.

[Bull Mania]

Can't get over that Sheffield result. A win and you're in the play-offs and you lose to a team who have won 1 game all year, and couldn't even raise a full team. Sorry but that's not "a bad day at the office" 

Good win for the Bulls. Shocked by Swintons lack of fight considering what they had at stake. We literally just walked through them at times.

[Tommygilf]

34 minutes ago, Bull Mania said:

Can't get over that Sheffield result. A win and you're in the play-offs and you lose to a team who have won 1 game all year, and couldn't even raise a full team. Sorry but that's not "a bad day at the office" 

A hell of a lot of money going into that squad. The attitude they turned up with yesterday was nowhere near either the level they can perform at or the level they should at minimum expect.

Undoubtedly the Aston suspension has impacted the side's performance. Perhaps it has impacted more than we would expect?

Ultimately nobody is bigger than the club.

[sentoffagain2]

           Mark is an exception to the rule without him there would be no Sheffield Eagles at this level.

[Expatknight]

I have never been a fan of Astons coaching style, but you can't take away the fact that he is Mr Sheffield Eagles! , he has done an amazing job there over the years, against all the odds, and you cannot question his commitment or passion for the club, I think it is very sad for him and the club to be in the position they are in now, hopefully it will all be sorted out in a positive way for both Mark Aston and The Eagles. The Championship wouldn't be the same without them.

[Dave W]

15 hours ago, JonM said:

Cracking game at Barrow - my heart was racing for the last couple of minutes. Couple of great tries from the home team, worth catching on the highlights. Always nice to see how many kids there are in the crowd at Craven Park. Thought I heard the crowd announced as 2950 something, but that seems surprisingly high, so maybe I misheard.

Very happy with Widnes finishing fifth, our highest finish since 2011, with what seemed a weaker squad than last couple of years. Allan Coleman seems to be the first coach in 20 years who doesn't have a section of the fans against him, too.

I wonder whether the York v Widnes game will be moved to Friday or Saturday to avoid clashing with women's final?

You didn't mishear. We've been getting upwards of 2000 for the last few games. Gate increase helped by having quite a lot of Widnes fans in the ground for what was a crucial game for both teams.

Fans' nerves over the result lessened throughout the game as we became aware of Swinton's abject capitulation unfolding at Odsal. If I was a Swinton fan, I'd be very concerned about the play off they're now facing.

From a Barrow fan's perspective it meant we could relax and enjoy the entertainment on offer by both teams. It was a great contest!

I still wish we'd nicked it though! 

Edited September 30, 2024 by Dave W

[SUPERSTUD]

3 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

A hell of a lot of money going into that squad. The attitude they turned up with yesterday was nowhere near either the level they can perform at or the level they should at minimum expect.

Undoubtedly the Aston suspension has impacted the side's performance. Perhaps it has impacted more than we would expect?

Ultimately nobody is bigger than the club.

I was there and I totally agree. One thing I am certain of is that Sheffield would not dare turn out such a performance if Mark Aston had have been present. He would have torn them to shreds. Makes me wonder if the squad are disrespecting the current coaching staff. That was as bad as I have seen for a very long time.

[Wakefield Ram]

1 hour ago, Dave W said:

You didn't mishear. We've been getting upwards of 2000 for the last few games. Gate increase helped by having quite a lot of Widnes fans in the ground for what was a crucial game for both teams.

Fans' nerves over the result lessened throughout the game as we became aware of Swinton's abject capitulation unfolding at Odsal. If I was a Swinton fan, I'd be very concerned about the play off they're now facing.

From a Barrow fan's perspective it meant we could relax and enjoy the entertainment on offer by both teams. It was a great contest!

I still wish we'd nicked it though! 

There's a big gap between Championship and L1. Swinton should win. 

[Griff]

3 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

A hell of a lot of money going into that squad. The attitude they turned up with yesterday was nowhere near either the level they can perform at or the level they should at minimum expect.

Undoubtedly the Aston suspension has impacted the side's performance. Perhaps it has impacted more than we would expect?

Ultimately nobody is bigger than the club.

If he were to leave under a cloud, there'd be a big hole in attendances.

[OriginalMrC]

What's the point of the playoffs in the Championship? There's no promotion so effectively not much to play for.

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

7 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

What's the point of the playoffs in the Championship? There's no promotion so effectively not much to play for.

"It's a worthwhile, standalone competition", or summat......

[Forever Trinity]

14 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

What's the point of the playoffs in the Championship? There's no promotion so effectively not much to play for.

Six figure prize for the winners

[JonM]

16 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

What's the point of the playoffs in the Championship? There's no promotion so effectively not much to play for.

The ~500 Widnes fans who were at Barrow yesterday didn't see it that way, nor did the players, judging by the celebrations. Suspect those who watched or played in the York/ Fev game would say the same.

[Griff]

5 hours ago, OriginalMrC said:

What's the point of the playoffs in the Championship? There's no promotion so effectively not much to play for.

I don't understand this argument. If there's no point in a league with playoffs, there's no point in a league without them. Should every club outside Suoerleague close down? Is that what you're saying?

Bottom line is that it's moaning for the sake of moaning.

Edited September 30, 2024 by Griff

[OriginalMrC]

23 minutes ago, Griff said:

I don't understand this argument. If there's no point in a league with playoffs, there's no point in a league without them. Should every club outside Suoerleague close down? Is that what you're saying?

Bottom line is that it's moaning for the sake of moaning.

I asked a reasonable question. Now stop your moaning. 

[DEANO]

Never understood why rl has play offs

[JonM]

31 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

I asked a reasonable question. 

Of the 6 teams, Bradford, York and Widnes have never won it AFAIK. Wakefield last won it in the 1990s I think. So it's not unreasonable to be excited about having a shot at winning something - most pro players never do.

And probably only about half of the second tier winners in the last 25-30 years were actually promoted so it's not a new thing. Interesting though that 3 of the 6 teams in this year's SL playoffs were promoted from the championship via play offs.

[Griff]

49 minutes ago, DEANO said:

Never understood why rl has play offs

It has playoffs because folk believe it keeps midtable interest going for longer. To some extent, that's true. But the downside is that you don't know when the season's going to end. Affects end of season presentations, players' holidays amongst other stuff.

I'm not a fan. I don't think they make enough money below Superleague.

[Griff]

1 hour ago, OriginalMrC said:

I asked a reasonable question. 

It's not a reasonable question.

I explained why it wasn't.

[DEANO]

11 minutes ago, Griff said:

It has playoffs because folk believe it keeps midtable interest going for longer. To some extent, that's true. But the downside is that you don't know when the season's going to end. Affects end of season presentations, players' holidays amongst other stuff.

I'm not a fan. I don't think they make enough money below Superleague.

My argument has always been if you need a play off to decide the champion then you need a play off to get into play offs and would also need a relegation playoff

[Griff]

33 minutes ago, DEANO said:

My argument has always been if you need a play off to decide the champion then you need a play off to get into play offs and would also need a relegation playoff

I don't think anyone would dispute that the NRL and Superleague playoffs are a success but I think the Championship and Div 3 series are less clearcut commercially.

[RSN]

On 29/09/2024 at 20:45, JonM said:

Yes, me too, and I suspect most Widnes fans thought the same. 

Been confirmed as 2950 something, the attendance. Their previous highest this season was 2245 against Wakefield, which is why I was doubtful it was so high.

Thought Brad Walker took the jibes from the Widnes fans in good spirit. Luke Cresswell at full back was impressive for Barrow too.

The Widnes away following was probably the biggest we have had all year. 

Plus with it being the last game, relatively decent weather by Cumbrias standards and a lot to play for helped with the attendance. 

Was nice after the game having both fans celebrating. No one really deserved to lose so glad both sides got the outcome they were after. 

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

I thought Trinity might have to wait to see who our opponents were before announcing the semi final details.  Clearly not. 

 

 

[Trojan Horse]

3 hours ago, Wollo Wollo Wayoo said:

I thought Trinity might have to wait to see who our opponents were before announcing the semi final details.  Clearly not. 

 

 

Why would you think that?
 

The venue and the date and time won’t change. 
 

The home fans can purchase them from now and when the opposition is decided they are free to purchase. 
 

Ellis is clearly a motivated and smart businessman. Get them on sale as long as possible and as early as possible instead of waiting 6/7 days in run up to the game. It’s clear and genuinely priced to attract a big crowd too. 
 

Away fans £12 to watch your team in playoffs… 

Well done Wakefield I say.