Wigan were outstanding yesterday. Tomkins was very dangerous, Leuluai was excellent, and young Farrell looks better every time I see him play. What impressed me most, though, was just the way they did the basics. All of their kicks were bang on the money, their transitions wide were very smooth and effortless, I can only remember them making two handling errors and their discipline was excellent. Given that we were pretty shocking in each of those respects, there was only going to be one winner.

They'll be even stronger next year with their Melbourne trio, but so will we, and so will Warrington. I don't see a period of Wigan dominance as a foregone conclusion - there'll be everything to play for once more.

And you know this how? Crystal ball maybe? What a daft thing to say.

There's absolutely no reason to believe that Saints can't touch Wigan. Had we played on Saturday with the kind of attitude, effort and cohesion that we played against Warrington in the playoffs, we would have been matching them all the way.


Warrington are a very good team with a very good coach. They need to just make the step up to believing they can beat us. Once they've done that, the world is their oyster.


That depends. Leeds might have made a mistake in re-signing their old codgers. However, they may have one year left in them and they won't have done the Grand Final or the WCC by the start of next season so they'll have enjoyed a full off-season. They may come back somewhat refreshed and up for the challenge.

and thats not an insult i suppose

Can't beleive how quickly people are to dismiss leeds and saints.

Here we have 2 teams who have been plagued by injuries all season. Yet one, made the grand final, and the other, the CC final.

Warrington were injury free in comparison and while leeds and saints truggled they couldn't even get top 2.

If leeds had mcguire and peacock wigan may not have even been in the grand final, just like if saints had eastmond and pryce, wigan may not have even won the thing.

Next season teams will be smarter to wigan defensive tactics and attacking structures. But you need an off season to get to grips with these things, just like wigan needed the offseason to put them in place.

With a new coach at saints, and refreshed leeds team it really wouldn't be at all suprising to leeds and saints at the grand final again.

We don't actualy want a period of dominance. We just want to compete at the highest level and challenge for trophies. To be honest the Wigan dominance of the 80s/90s become rather boring. Hopefully next year we will see a keen competition between Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Wire, plus others teans like the Hulls, Hudds etc. The competition needs to be close to maintain the excitement which will bring in the spectators. It is also more satisfying when a team wins.

I bet you do!

Has any of you lot got next weeks Lotto numbers,most of you seem to know whats going to happen in the future FFS stop quoting what the comedy duo are saying Clarke,Stephenson, Hemmings.

I think the mods should check your IP address to see which Wigan poster you are in disguise.. Fishta maybe ???

What do you mean because Saints have the second lowest error rate in the competition after Wigoon.

Are you sure that you don't support Wigan?

Sts did tremendously to get to the final without your regular halfbacks. You also only lost by 12 points.

Add a couple more strong forwards in LMS and Perry, a bit more pace out wide in Shenton (he can't be slower than Gidley) and having both Pryce and Eastmond in the team, I would have thought there's every reason to believe you'll be stronger next year? The only issue will be getting over being without Cunningham, but TBH I'd be very much looking forward to next season.

Wigan may well be stronger next year. As both Leeds and Sts have found though, an injury to the wrong player at the wrong time can prove disastrous. This is not the 80s again - if Wigan do lose a player, they won't be able to replace them with an international reserve. Wigan may also find it harder mentally next year, and every other side will want a piece of them.

Inj any event quite a few sides will spend a lot of time in the off-season looking to copy some of the things Wigan do - particularly in defence. Leeds even said early this year that they'd purposely stopped trying to dominate the PTB so much because they felt they were being penalised too much - I suspect they'll revisit that.

Mcguire came highly recommended. Sizzler doesnt. The aussies cant wait to see the back of him such is his tactical ineptness (if there is such a word lol)

The current Australian national coach must think highly of him.

Weren't you complaining on another thread about the thought of him getting sacking threads after two or three matches next year?

I'm speaking as a neutral who really enjoys the game nd the Saints V Wigan rivalry.

Wigan will not dominate. They will of course be a presence and that is only normal. They are arguably the biggest and are definitely the most sucessful club in the English game and a good Wigan is good for the game. However its not as if Saints are poor. Its not as if Wolves are unable to compete. etc.

Its a cliche but Wigan are the Man. Utd of the game and it is good to have them to aim at.