Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:31 am  

jonh wrote:

I’ve not rewatched it yet but I felt Smith had one of his least effective games and put us under pressure a few times with early kicks.

I do like the early kick if we are under the pump, but they must find the deck and I don’t think on one occasion they did which put us under more pressure.

French out of the 2 halves put in some belting kicks in the second half though, which was welcome.

Will rewatch at some point though today and have another watch.

My man of the match was Marshy though.

Thought he carried out if the backfield really strongly, dealt with kicks (all be it they targeted Miski so wasn’t under as much pressure) and showed good composure to finish for his try.

Our defence last night though was the highlight for me. It was organised, effective, disciplined and at times brutal. A joy to watch.

Interesting you say that jonh as I thought the opposite, I thought he controlled the game fairly well after a shakey start. In fact he or KPP were my MOM but didn’t have much argument against Wardle either, nor if Marshall had have gotten it - he worked his backside off.

I must admit I was worried in the first half hour or so. Our forwards didn’t look interested and it was the backs taking balls up along the hard yards but as time progressed through that first half it became an obvious tactic to tire out the far more powerful Catalan pack and it was very effective too.

I thought we played a little too conservative in the first half but really came out to play in the second. It was more our own errors in attack that meant we didn’t win by a larger score line. Our defence was incredible and Catalans didn’t have any clear cut chances as I can remember despite utterly dominating field position in the first half. We just absorbed what they threw at us with ease.

I remember back to the KR game away on the first day of the season and thinking “here we go again”. Questioning this side, the players, tactics and wondering whether Peet would last. Even more so come June and we were 6th with little promise of a top 3 finish never mind a GF. Something just clicked, French really settled into that 6 slot and for me has been a revelation. Marshall, Wardle, King, Miski, Smith, Byrne, Ellis, KPP, Smithies have been superb consistent performers, I could definitely name more there too. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, or prouder, to say I was wrong with my doubts. On paper we don’t have the best side, it’s a good side but not the best but what we lost there we make up for in bundles with attitude, effort and teamwork.

I cannot wait for next season and the potential of the 2024 side. Peet has at his feet a potential dynasty. Let’s enjoy this while it lasts.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:45 am  

I thought sitting just above pitch level and quite close to the pitch that our forwards were superb in hanging in there during the first half. Catalans have a huge team, very physically imposing and every contact is brutal and their leg drive punches holes through the line consistently. The one thing we seem to have is just to gradually grind down a side until the larger players just physically disintegrate as they did yesterday for Catalans. It doesn’t always work (and certainly hasn’t for a big chunk of this year) but the last 2 months it’s worked considerably better, even with losing Isa, Havard and Byrne. When you see Mago finally getting stuck in and making an impact in defence and seeing KPP become a physically dominant player, you just have to step back and applaud what’s gone on at Robin Park to shift the mentality to what we’ve seen recently.

We’ve had such a rollercoaster this year, it’s been awful at times too don’t forget but what an achievement to win the big prize after all that.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:53 am  

In two season Peet has delivered the CC and SL trophy plus the LL. Not done to bad for the cheap option

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:15 am  

100% Warrior wrote:

Interesting you say that jonh as I thought the opposite,

I haven't watched it back yet either but at the game I absolutely agree with 100% Warrior. Harry controlled the game. It's interesting to see that he's becoming the type of player who seems to have extra time on the ball. Hardly ever seems rushed these days. I hope we're seriously looking at a long contract extension as a matter of priority.

As a little extra, he hasn't missed a kick in either the semi or the final. 10 from 10 if memory serves

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:20 am  

First half we held in there and ground it out despite Cats making it a slug fest (with help from the ref - how come they constantly got 6 agains but we had to wait until the end of the half) , second half we just upped a gear and suddenly started finding gaps, blew a couple of chances but got the one that mattered. Thought everyone played well but was surprised when Wardle got MOM as I had already called him for it and rarely does it go to a back in a game like that - he looks so much more confident now that early season.

Still trying to figure out how Cats won so many games because in both the SF and final they had no attacking shape at all.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:20 am  

I was surprised by the choice of MoM tonight.
Actually thought Field, Marshall and Johnstone were the contenders.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:40 am  

From the Fox Sports report:

"Wigan centre Jake Wardle was named player of the match but it was the kicking game of halfback Harry Smith that was the difference between the two sides."

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:51 am  

Wardle made the eye catching moments
Harry Smith was very good and I was surprised he didn't get it
But I picked KPP - He was outstanding in everything he did

PS
They won't get much Credit, but Isa and Powell were very good again

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:10 am  

Jukesays wrote:

Wardle made the eye catching moments
Harry Smith was very good and I was surprised he didn't get it
But I picked KPP - He was outstanding in everything he did

PS
They won't get much Credit, but Isa and Powell were very good again

Isa and Powell invariably tighten our defence and they were an important part in making our defence watertight last night. I like how they are both so down to earth lads.
Got to tip my hat to you Jukes. I didn’t think that we had a chance of winning the GF particularly after the Wakey loss but even then you were adamant that we could and would win the GF. Last night’s win comes pretty close in my opinion in matching the 2010 victory. I just wanted a win. Wasn’t bothered about the score or size of the crowd I just wanted a win. Once we scored the try we never looked like losing.
KPP I think has been our best player over the last 12 weeks or so. He will be missed. I hope that he has a fantastic career in the NRL.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:10 am  

Jukesays wrote:

Wardle made the eye catching moments
Harry Smith was very good and I was surprised he didn't get it
But I picked KPP - He was outstanding in everything he did

PS
They won't get much Credit, but Isa and Powell were very good again

Powell, if he goes, will be a bigger loss than most people think. Not only does the partnership with O'Neill work well, but he plays a big part in the positive culture at the club - he's a real leader and standard setter. He's also a top class bloke too.

Leeming might be a better player, he's certainly more flashy, which will give endear him to a certain section of the fan base, but is he as good culturally? Could you ever see Powell walking out on a club like Leeming did at Leeds?