Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:35 am  

exiled Warrior wrote:

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.

I think you’ve probably nailed the answer to your own question in your first sentence. Their game plan to me is using their forward power to dominate opposition packs, turning the game into a slug fest which suits their style. They’re not the fittest side by a long stretch so playing that way helps conserve energy plus they use the Catalonian heat much to their advantage.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:02 pm  

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

And we should add Ellis to that list, he played big minutes last evening.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 2:46 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

I think you’ve probably nailed the answer to your own question in your first sentence. Their game plan to me is using their forward power to dominate opposition packs, turning the game into a slug fest which suits their style. They’re not the fittest side by a long stretch so playing that way helps conserve energy plus they use the Catalonian heat much to their advantage.

That may be true but watching them they seemed to have no guile when near our line and no clear options a bit like we were a season or two ago.

Also as pointed out Powell and Isa made very positive contributions especailly second half, Isa was everywhere and tackling everyone - Cats must have been sick of him and some of his hits were brutal. I went with Wardle for MOM as he was the one breaking or almost breaking the line most - if anyone looked likely to make the decisive break it was him, but to be fair there were many candidates across the team, it was a very solid performance by everyone. Not one player can be said to have been poor at all, exactly what you need in a final.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 3:52 pm  

Marshy-Wining try CC semi,CC final now GF give the lad a round of applause.
Harry-controlled the game and as pointed out dragged Marshy away from a situation with the ref.
KPP great game.
Ellis ran hard all game .
Wardle just about gets MOM.
Love the passion for the game from Willy,such a joy to watch.
Slugfest of a game but Wigan took it on tactics proven right by Peet (jobs for the boys,cheap option etc,etc).
I also did think we could win the GF as we have a fantastic club.
Great to see so many Wiganers.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:59 pm  

One for the purest, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The good news is that we can win by playing scintillating rugby or we can grind teams down. It was a very important win for our young team and I believe it will be the springboard to future success. Let’s wallow in this one though.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:00 pm  

Jason65 wrote:

Marshy-Wining try CC semi,CC final now GF give the lad a round of applause.
Harry-controlled the game and as pointed out dragged Marshy away from a situation with the ref.
KPP great game.
Ellis ran hard all game .
Wardle just about gets MOM.
Love the passion for the game from Willy,such a joy to watch.
Slugfest of a game but Wigan took it on tactics proven right by Peet (jobs for the boys,cheap option etc,etc).
I also did think we could win the GF as we have a fantastic club.
Great to see so many Wiganers.

How many tickets did we sell? The whole ground seemed to have Wiganers in it.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:16 pm  

Watching it back now, he’s taken some stick this year but Mago had a cracking game. Big carries and put in some cracking shots on.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:25 pm  

WWste wrote:

Watching it back now, he’s taken some stick this year but Mago had a cracking game. Big carries and put in some cracking shots on.

I was about to say the same thing. He made a massive contribution on building the momentum that put us on top.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:35 pm  

Mago busted a gut to pressure the kicker at one point as well (last contribution before being subbed), which is a great sign of how he’s turned things around.

I’ve just watched the game back for the first time and I think Wardle deserved the MOM. Harry Smith was excellent outside of a couple of poor kicks. Jai Field scared them to death. I thought Smithies was superb as well (55 tackles he made). It was a shame to see Havard go down again and hopefully it’s not too bad. A real shame to see him miss the England series now.

Re: Catalans (GF) : Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:02 am  

I thought Mago put in an awesome stint. Really put in 100% effort around marker tackles something he never used to do.

Field has gone under the radar a little bit in this game - watching from behind the sticks at the 'Catalan' end he scared them to death in the 2nd half - and without taking anything away from Wardle, he opened up the space for him to make those runs. Only some very good scramble from Catalan prevented him making a much bigger mark.

With the confidence boost this gives us and the new signings it sets us up nicely for next season.