Sat 12th Oct: SL Grand Final: Wigan Warriors v Hull KR KO 18:00 (Sky)

[redjonn]

Wigan the better team on the day, despite hull kr at times winning the territory battle. In that KR in more advanced part of field yet for me only had one attack ploy...a high kick from lewis...wigan dealt with it easily... too be honest I was disappointed with KR attacking play...yep wigan defensively good but KR didnt offer any variation except late in the game.

Super performance from wigan and in the main always looked in control with one or two exceptions late on...

Edited October 12 by redjonn

[Fevrover]

 Rovers obviously disspointed tonight but they've had a terrific season and were beaten by a CHAMPION team,no disgrace in that. 

[gingerjon]

39 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

The best two teams of the year playing out an absorbing and hard fought final that ended with a 7 points difference. 

I didn't think that game was a disappointment in any way at all.

It wasn't that absorbing. Wigan were never in any danger of losing.

[Worzel]

16 minutes ago, Dave T said:

I think thats fair. Probably some disappointment around not getting a try, but you also kept Wigan to one wonder try.

Plenty to be happy with and positive about fornthe future.

Yeah of course you’d like to score. But that was the game plan, you have to respect Wigan for what they are and play the percentages, so Rovers chose to play within themselves a bit. Rightly I think.

We showed in the final 15 mins we could shift the ball when needed, but also showed the errors that might result in given the quality of Wigan’s defence. I think on balance was the right approach, and just the better team won on the day because of a great player. I can handle that.

We look even stronger next year though, and I’m looking forward to it. 
 

Edited October 12 by Worzel
Typo

[GURNER]

What a game that was, feel for KR, team and fans. Wigan had the unpredictable element necessary to win. Love what both teams are putting on the park/pitch but Matty Peet just leaves me in awe of what he is doing/has done. Willie peters could be on a similar path

[Worzel]

Just now, gingerjon said:

It wasn't that absorbing. Wigan were never in any danger of losing.

Precisely my experience. Was like a slow, suffocating death. But in sport anything is possible in a random moment, so you live for the hope of that as long as you can keep the game close enough for long enough. 

[ChristianB]

Really sorry that Hull KR's fairytale ending did not come to pass. Really sad thing is that I reckon Warrington would have turned Wigan over tonight, because pace out wide was what they have in abundance and the Robins do not.

[gingerjon]

Just now, Worzel said:

Precisely my experience. Was like a slow, suffocating death. But in sport anything is possible in a random moment, so you live for the hope of that as long as you can keep the game close enough for long enough. 

Oh, aye. I mean, I watched until the end because it was close and there is always a chance when that's the case. And I could admire what was happening without being particularly enthralled by it.

Not every game has to be a classic and it's not a failure if a final isn't one for the ages.

[Fevrover]

1 minute ago, ChristianB said:

Really sorry that Hull KR's fairytale ending did not come to pass. Really sad thing is that I reckon Warrington would have turned Wigan over tonight, because pace out wide was what they have in abundance and the Robins do not.

We will never know.

[GURNER]

5 minutes ago, ChristianB said:

Really sorry that Hull KR's fairytale ending did not come to pass. Really sad thing is that I reckon Warrington would have turned Wigan over tonight, because pace out wide was what they have in abundance and the Robins do not.

woulda,coulda.shoulda

[Futtocks]

As for Bevan French, I am reminded of an anecdote from a previous era about a previous Bevan, when a winger facing Warrington was told (in no uncertain terms) to "watch Brian Bevan carefully!"

At half time, Bevan had already scored a hat-trick so the coach rounded on the winger with "I TOLD you to watch Bevan!"

The winger replied "I did watch him... good, isn't he?"

[up the robins]

Well done Wigan  nothing contentious about  the result good close game hopefully come back stronger next year and look forward to 2025 Up The Robins 

[Worzel]

20 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

Oh, aye. I mean, I watched until the end because it was close and there is always a chance when that's the case. And I could admire what was happening without being particularly enthralled by it.

Not every game has to be a classic and it's not a failure if a final isn't one for the ages.

It was a classic for defensive resilience. Both sides would have beaten anyone else in the league tonight, because their defences were immense, only unlocked by a maverick moment of exceptional off-the-cuff creativity. 

[Industria ditat]

26 minutes ago, ChristianB said:

Really sorry that Hull KR's fairytale ending did not come to pass. Really sad thing is that I reckon Warrington would have turned Wigan over tonight, because pace out wide was what they have in abundance and the Robins do not.

But it wasn't their year was it?

[JohnM]

Another stage in the development of an already excellent  Lewis. I'm sure he'll learn from the experience as he spends less time imitating a window cleaner and more time actually playing.

[phiggins]

Enjoyed the game, but also felt is was as convincing a win as you'll see in a game with only one try. Once the drop goal went over, couldn't see KR scoring twice. Two very good defences and a moment of brilliance to break it open is what you want to see in a final. I was a bit disappointed that Lewis didn't take on the line a bit more, and test French and Keighran's defence, but such is the defensive structure the option was probably never a realistic one.

On a side note, if my Twitter feed is anything to go by. The sport can save a lot of money on HIAs by getting rid of the medics and getting some Saints fans in.  

[Aerosaint]

Very absorbing final. Would have been great if KR got the first try for the contest- Wigan's game management was immense. 

The officiating was fantastic too  

[WN83]

Brave and patient from us tonight I thought. We didn't have lots of territory but they looked confident they could keep the KR try tally to zero. I thought Hull KR were so tough to beat and Wigan really needed to earn that. When you have French, you're always in with a sniff if you defend well.

 

I must say a word on Harry Smith. It's the 4th final for him on the trot the he's probably second in the MOM voting. He does nothing flashy but is unbelievably important to us. We may have drowned without his kicking game in that first 20/25 minutes. I go back to the conversation about the England team and that nobody should complain if he gets in because his role is very important, especially at this time of year. 

[Fevrover]

23 minutes ago, Industria ditat said:

But it wasn't their year was it?

No that's next year . 

[MrIzzard]

48 minutes ago, ChristianB said:

Really sorry that Hull KR's fairytale ending did not come to pass. Really sad thing is that I reckon Warrington would have turned Wigan over tonight, because pace out wide was what they have in abundance and the Robins do not.

On the money you can't substitute pace,  with Field and French they can open up the smallest of gaps in defence Hkr don't have one of those players I think the Wire will be more prominent next year and do a Wigan. 

[Wilderspoolmemories]

Wigan are the RL equivalent of Snooker player Cliff Thorburn, who was known as "The Grinder" for the way he didn't do  much which could be described as spectacular, but had a habit of grinding out victories. 

Wigan are very good, in fact exceptionally good, defensively. They don't do anything other than the basics, but they do the basics very well. 

However, I think Hull KR at times tonight were their own worst enemies. They panicked on occasions, and lost the ball far to often.

It would have been good to see a new name on the trophy, but we shall wait at least another 12 months for that. 

Watch out, 2025 is the year of the Wolf!

Edited October 12 by Wilderspoolmemories

[corvusxiii]

So yeah, result not what I wanted but no controversy either, which is so very good! Neither was is the slow motion sludge fest that I remember from last season's final. (Tbf I spent much time on the phone as watching the match so..)

Not especially entertaining but close enough to engage me at least. The tip tackle penalty spoilt the match outcomes but.... Good Match. Well Done Both Sides.

 

[Leyther_Matt]

Just got back, sadly not the contest I was hoping for - which is a bit weird with such a narrow margin - but a great occasion as always.

One day someone will force Wigan to come out of second gear and then they will really be worth watching. Warrington? Give over  

[Futtocks]

1 hour ago, up the robins said:

Well done Wigan  nothing contentious about  the result good close game hopefully come back stronger next year and look forward to 2025 Up The Robins 

HKR have now been in a Grand Final. Sometimes you have to have already been in one to win one.

I've noticed it in some sports, where it takes a loss on the biggest stage to understand how to win the occasion the next time you get a chance.

[The Masked Poster]

As Bruce might have said, good game.

If it's any consolation, I got the game put on in an otherwise totally disinterested pub in Bradford and ended up with a healthy crowd involved watching the game and 'oohhing' and 'ahhing' at the physical aspect of it. And we all know it wasn't even that bad. 

Fair play Wigan, unlucky Rovers.