WELL, Saturday saw the Grand Finale of the 2024 Betfred Super League season, and as expected our dear rivals from over Billinge Hill yet again walked away with the big prize.
The Warriors of Wigan, favourites to retain their title before a ball was kicked, turned out one of their best performances of the season, especially in defence.
In doing so, they became history makers as the first club to hold all four available trophies in a calendar year.
All credit to runners-up Hull KR though, who continuously threw questions at the Wigan defensive line and certainly played their part in a great RL showpiece.
Led by the newly-crowned Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, the Robins gave everything but just couldn’t penetrate the opponents line.
This is something the last four teams to play against Wigan all have in common, them having conceded NO tries in over 320 minutes of rugby. Some feat.
The Hull KR defensive line was no mug either, having only conceded one try themselves. But what a try it was!
Bevan French is by far and away the most devastating attacking threat in the Betfred Super League, and it was his jet heels that decided the game.
His try was almost a carbon copy of the late great Rob Burrow's brilliant individual effort against St Helens back in 2011.
Fittingly, he then went on to be named as the Rob Burrow Award winner for Man of the Match, formerly known as the Harry Sunderland Award.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Bevan at the Grand Final press conference on Monday alongside Betfred’s Mark Pearson.
I can honestly say he is one of the most humble guys I’ve met, and someone who definitely promotes our game in the best light.
He did tell me how Wigan boss Matty Peet just lets him ‘play’ without any restraints, and and this certainly paid dividends on the big stage.
He also spoke about his youth development playing 7s rugby back in Australia, and how this has helped his attacking threat and vision.
I’m sure this is something our junior coaches could take onboard.
So, the domestic season is over for another year, and it’s time for Saints to reflect on this season, and where and how we improve to stop Wigan’s dominance in 2025.
Not only Wigan, but a resurgent Hull KR side who have been a credit to the Betfred Super League both on and off the field.
For next season Wigan are 9/4 with title sponsors Betfred to be champs again with Saints and Wire both 9/2. And for the Warriors to do the treble once again they have been cut in to 12/1.
Warrington, who many think are vastly improved club under Sam Burgess will be aiming to make 2025 ‘their year’ finally.
Also let’s not forget Salford and Leigh who both showed this year that they aren’t here to make up numbers.
Paul Wellens will have already conducted his autopsy of a bitterly disappointing season, and is no doubt champing at the bit to get going again ready for the new season.
There will be some new faces around the Totally Wicked Stadium next year, and none more exciting for the Saints faithful than new Assistant Coach Lee Briers.
Briersy has been brought in by Wello to add some attacking flair to the Saints attack.
Add to that, new outside backs Lewis Murphy and Kyle Feldt, also full back/half back Tristan Sailor, who all have proven qualities.
This is a start, but for me we need a couple more key signings if we are to genuinely challenge for silverware.
I’d love to see a genuine world class half back, in my opinion the position we massively lacked a presence in 2024.
We need someone who can dominate a game, but also his teammates.
Also, dependant on where Wello plans to fit Welsby, Sailor and Robertson in the team, I think a quality centre would be more than welcomed.
Finally, adding some more front row fire power, taking some pressure off Matty Lees, George Delaney and an aging Alex Walmsley.
For some of the Saints squad, their attention now turns to International duty, as England take on Samoa in a two-test Series.
Those who aren’t involved will be reporting back for duty on November 14 with an aim to getting back to the top of the pile.
St Helens RLFC is a club that demands success, and I’ve absolutely no doubts the staff and players will be doing everything needed to make this happen, and I’m backing them to do so.
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