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

[Wellsy4HullFC]

A game involving two great defences, but two conservative attacks. Very little in offloads were seen, and nothing too off-the-cuff was attempted.

Bevan French's individual brilliance was the difference, and probably should have resulted in more than one try; Rovers were very lucky that the ball was as wet as it was! 

Rovers looked nervous and I think the occasion might have gotten to them somewhat. Their attack was not what we were used to seeing throughout the season. 

That weather was insane though! So glad it was during the game and not on the walk home for us! The noise that hail made, in surprised it didn't open more holes in the OT roof!

[JohnM]

Excellent result, excellent crowd, excellent refereeing. I'd add to that, excellent discipline from both sides, with low level of penalties, vast reduction in high tackles. 

[Superb Chops]

Two well matched sides and, Bevan French’s play aside, wonder if Harry Smith’s kicking was a significant difference.

Tip of the hat to KR. Great support for a smart club making fine progress alongside the likes of Warrington and Leigh.

[JonM]

1 hour ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

That weather was insane though! So glad it was during the game and not on the walk home for us! The noise that hail made, in surprised it didn't open more holes in the OT roof!

I was on the halfway line, but right down at the front - quite impressive to see the hailstones bouncing off the pitch. I think those criticising the attacking play of both sides might need to take the conditions into account a bit more. 

[bobbruce]

2 hours ago, wakeyranger said:

I can't see this as he will probably be in the sin bin or suspended most of the time.

 Burgess doesn’t even get on the pitch but he’s had that effect on the Warrington players. 

[Worzel]

10 hours ago, bobbruce said:

I think this may have come a year too early for KR. I can see JWH having a similar effect to the one Burgess has had a wire. Players will run through brick walls with him along side them. 

Yes when we signed JWH for just the one season I said “the club is obviously targeting 2025”, and I still think that’s the case. A lot of this side was new this season, the improvement from 2023 to 2024 was significant and I expect progress again next year.

We’ll need it though, Wigan won’t get weaker, Warrington will continue to improve, Saints with Briers involved with be a totally different proposition and Brad Arthur is the sort of coach to not accept mediocrity with Leeds. Add into the mix the usual people punching above their weight, and I think next season is shaping up to be a great one. 

Unless you live in West Hull of course. Hopefully anyway.

[JonM]

Few random thoughts from last night. Great to see Billy Boston still able to attend games at the age of 90. Great to see so many ex-players sat in the crowd and taking the time to pose for photos with kids. Where I was sat, the crowd was mostly families, mix of Wigan and Hull KR supporters and all perfectly civil. Absolutely cracking atmosphere too, even at the final whistle the Hull KR fans were really loud.

[EagleEyePie]

11 hours ago, Amber Avenger said:

In some sports that's true, and I've said it many a time leaving Old Trafford, yet the fact is in Super League only two teams have ever lost their first grand final, then gone on to win one and the last time that happened was now two decades ago. Absolutely mad, but there you go. We're a year closer to changing that now at least. 

This is a good point. If you take into consideration the league as a whole and not just the Grand Final, there have been teams who have had really strong seasons who aren't considered one of the big clubs but then they always seem to fall away within a season or two.

Having won the Challenge Cup in 2005, Hull FC had a good year in 2006, finished 2nd, reached the Grand Final, then 4th in 2007, followed by 2nd from bottom in 2008.

Huddersfield topped the table in 2013 only to lose the semi final. They then finished 3rd, 4th then finished bottom in 2016 before the 8's split. 

Hull FC were top in 2016 before the Super 8's (though finished 3rd eventually, having won the Challenge Cup that year) but fell short in the semi's. The following year another Challenge Cup and 3rd again before they began slipping further down the league.

Cas ran away with the league in 2017 only to lose the final, but then were a fairly distant 3rd in 2018 then started dropping down the league standings.

Salford in 2019 were a distant 3rd but made it all the way to the Grand Final but failed to make the playoffs the following year.

Catalans were top in 2021 and made their first Grand Final but dropped to 4th the following year. They did get back up there in 2023 but again fell short in the final and this year they dropped off and failed to make the playoffs. 

Basically, there are times when clubs have good seasons, or a good run of seasons, but the hardest part seems to be maintaining a consistent level of success to be able to match the top sides. 

Warrington are the only side who have managed to break into the group of 'top clubs' thanks to their 3 cup wins in 4 years 2009-2012 and then from 2010 finishing 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd and making the Grand Final 3 times between 2012 and 2016 but they still haven't managed to win the main prize. 

I think what's notable is the only other team who have come close to breaking into the 'big clubs' bracket are Hull FC. On two separate occasions they looked like there could be something to build on and they were having success but they couldn't maintain it. I think that's always been a missed opportunity for SL to have a strong club in Hull but the potential has always been there. Rovers now look the strongest by far and their growth has been promising so maybe there's a chance that the Robins can buck the trend and keep building rathe than falling away like other teams have. Even if they don't win a Grand Final in the near future if they can reach the level that Warrington have (aside from the Daryl Powell blip) it will be a good achievement.

Edited October 13 by EagleEyePie

[Liverpool Rover]

We needed to ge at our best to beat them and we weren’t and didn’t threaten their line enough. Still it has been a great year and next year will be another year of improvement.

[north yorks trinity]

15 hours ago, Just Browny said:

It's been quite a dull watch with one brilliant bit of play to win it and some brilliant defensive solidity by Wigan. Wigan fans are entitled to enjoy it of course; the commentators don't have to say it has been exciting.

I listened to rather than watched the GF but this description sounds like a typical important football match and reminds me why I fell out of love with football years ago. That said, I don't mind seeing some games like this, ideally mixed in with games with more free flowing play. Well done Wigan on performing to a really high standard consistently and it's up to other teams now to find a way to deal with them.

[north yorks trinity]

15 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Surely. Surely. Wigan win SPOTY team of the year.

If only life was actually fair...

[my missus]

wigan won that because they have four or five forwards that can go the full 80 its like having a couple of extra players,and bevan french.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Hull KR gave it a good shot and stayed in the game and will look back at opportunities they had that could have been turned into points but for better execution.

That said I thought Wigan were worthy champions and played a great game defensively especially to restrict the Robins to a penalty.

Great crowd and lots of high quality play by both teams.

Well done Wigan.

[north yorks trinity]

13 hours ago, Wilderspoolmemories said:

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. 

I'd love to see Wakefield with Field and French in the team not doing "anything other than the basics"...

[Damien]

Amazing:

 

[bromleybulldog]

Just to add that I thought Mr Kendall had a very good game, let it flow, got the big calls right, didn't try and steal the show. Wish we could see more refereeing performances like that. And the video ref didn't spend ages looking at multiple views on the very few occasions he was called on  A pleasant change all round.

[Ullman]

19 hours ago, Dunbar said:

Your son has a KR supporting mate, you should be ashamed of yourself. 

I know.

But you have to let them make their own mistakes.

[colin galbraith]

Credit to Abbas Miski. He was peppered all night because of his season of defensive frailty under the high ball, but came up trumps.

[Chris22]

I think the criticism of Mikey Lewis last night was harsh. He was expected to do all of the organising, all of the kicking (field and goal) and be the one who came up with the magic play.

By comparison, Harry Smith's role was organisation and kicking only and the breaking the defence aspect was French's role. Smith was exceptional yesterday by the way and I'd argue man of the match.

But Hull KR seem to load all attacking responsibility on to Lewis. They need another player capable of breaking down an attack otherwise it's too obvious and easy to defend. May and Evalds are solid but nothing more.

[Chris22]

On to the game, no question that Wigan deserved the win. Hull KR played ok but only stretched Wigan maybe twice at most. Wigan's defence was exceptional and choked Hull KR out of the game to the extent that after French's try, there felt like little jeapordy.

As a result, I thought the game was a bit dour to watch at times. If anything, Wigan should have won by more. The Wardle chance was quite an error but forced by outstanding Hall defence and the Marshall no try was unfortunate.

I thought there had to be a player waiting to catch the ball for the "inside 10" to be a thing. The video referee said three Hull KR players were in the vicinity so were waiting to receive. I don't agree. That aside, the referees were outstanding.

French will steal the headlines but Wigan's in field kicking and fitness were just as good. To keep defending with such intensity and not even look tired when your props have put in huge shifts is incredible.

Ultimately, if you don't concede a try, you almost always win. And that's what Wigan have done for four matches in a row and consecutive Grand Finals.

Even for Hull KR, if you concede 9 points in a game, you would back yourselves to win. Just not against this version of Wigan.

[redjonn]

14 hours ago, Futtocks said:

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.

yep, but as a matter of interest how many of the Hull KR playing had been in a grand final already before this one...all be it for other clubs.

[Pie tries]

4 hours ago, JonM said:

I was on the halfway line, but right down at the front - quite impressive to see the hailstones bouncing off the pitch. I think those criticising the attacking play of both sides might need to take the conditions into account a bit more. 

Spot on !

[WN83]

3 hours ago, my missus said:

wigan won that because they have four or five forwards that can go the full 80 its like having a couple of extra players,and bevan french.

It's really beneficial. Guys like Dupree and Byrne haven't had great seasons really but I think a lot of that is down to their minutes being limited because of how long Thompson, Havard and Ellis do on the field. All 3 could do 80 minutes if you wanted them to. That middle unit has gone from an area of concern, to a real area of strength for the club. 

[Ullman]

22 hours ago, Dunbar said:

Your son has a KR supporting mate, you should be ashamed of yourself. 

Wait until I tell you his mate's dad is a Hull FC fan.

Now there's a man who needs to hang his head.

[StandOffHalf]

7 hours ago, Chris22 said:

I think the criticism of Mikey Lewis last night was harsh. He was expected to do all of the organising, all of the kicking (field and goal) and be the one who came up with the magic play.

By comparison, Harry Smith's role was organisation and kicking only and the breaking the defence aspect was French's role. Smith was exceptional yesterday by the way and I'd argue man of the match.

But Hull KR seem to load all attacking responsibility on to Lewis. They need another player capable of breaking down an attack otherwise it's too obvious and easy to defend. May and Evalds are solid but nothing more.

Good points regarding Smith and Lewis.

I thought Smith deserved the MOTM medal as well.