I thought that Carmont and Colley were outstanding last night and Donkey Goulding as for STG I Morris was outstanding as was Fien and thier Donkey Gasnier ???

I though McIlorum was outstanding for the pies when I was there. I'm watching the repeat in a bit so might reserve judgement until i've seen the game again.

I hate to say this but my biggest donkey has to be Michael Maguire.

He was totally out thought by Wayne Bennett. Wigans 5th tackle options at times were amateurish. They seemed to panic. They didn't seem to have a structured game plan.

Unusual because he has been a great coach since joining Wigan. Lets hope it's just a blip.


St George Illawarra had only been in the country a week, their coach went home, they had no warm up games and they still won easily.

edited for accuracy

Nothing in this country.

I watched the game and i'm pretty sure they didn't win easily - maybe you didn't actually see any of it?

Coley was wigans best forward.
Carmont took his tries very well.
MM was very good at 9 although he does have room to improve on his creativity

Morris - finishing was excellent, very strong and fast - great combo for a winger. Unfortunately Goulding's positioning made it easier for him than it should have been.
St George No 12 - very strong

I'd agree with that, I'd also suggest he made 2 bad mistakes in opting to kick at goal from penalties instead of kicking into touch.

Morris was in a different league IMO

I'm sure everyone has a different opinion.

For me it never really looked like Wigan were going to cross the Dragons try line in the second half. The Dragons looked composed and seemed to know exactly what they were doing at all times. Their defence shut Wigan out every time and Wigan had no answer.


And it was no great surprise because thats what Wayne Bennett coaches into his sides. It never looked like their defences would break. Wigans 5th tackle options were poor. They just kept running at the Dragons line without seemingly playing to a plan. The Dragons sliding defence kept them out again and again.

So if I know thats how a Wayne Bennett coached side plays then why didn't Michael Maguire know it?

For that reason thats why I am awarding the 'donkey' award to Maguire. This game will not have done his chances of getting a job in the NRL any real good. He really should have done his homework.

It [uwas[/u an easy win for a rusty St George Illawarra side. If they had been fully firing Wigan would have lost by far more.

If you have sky plussed it you might want to have another look.

I've got to say Brett Morris was fantastic. Goulding had a hard time marking him and he was often drawn into the ball which left space for Morris to use.

Unlucky for Wigan they performed well and were very close. But congrats to St George who definitely deserved the title.

I don't think you can say that at all. Fair enough St George were the better site but by no means was it easy for them. Wigan played well and there was only 6 points in it.

And as for you calling Maguire a donkey - I must disagree. You have your opinion and I have mine but I'm sure Maguire did do his homework. Wigan could have quite easily gone out and got battered but they put up a great fight and wouldnt even be in the final if it wasn't for Maguire. He still has a fantastic chance of getting a job in the NRL if he wants one.

I see that everybody is entitled to your opinion - very decent of you

Hey lets agree to disagree then.

Ben Creagh Man of the Match imo.

Cooper and Morris very good also.

Creagh and Morris where excellent for St.George.
For Wigan Coley and Carmont,great pace for his second try.

I'd have given man of the match to Cooper personally. I've not watched it back yet but it was him doing a lot of the work. Morris seemed to have acres when he got the ball which he used well. And Creagh was solid too.

For me (and I think I must be on my own here) Prescott had a good game as well as Coley. He seemed to run hard when he was on. Although everyone I've said that to has looked at me like I've just turned mental.

If you're talking donkeys from the Wigan side I'd say anyone taking a kick on the last tackle. That's a side of our game that really needs to improve, it seems to be almost impossible for our kickers to find the ground and turn the opposition around. It either went dead for a 20 metre restart or straight down the full back/wingers throat. This isn't a new issue, it was the same all last season, but hasn't really improved. And when you've got a team like St George returning the ball you can't be kicking that poorly!

Phipps do only warm up games in the country of the next game count-Nuggett

Man of the Match -- The Probiz guy who was handing out medals wearing a Cas Tigers Scarf!!