Just watched the video of Lee Briers discussing the fact he turned down a head coaching role this season (Hull FC I believe). Admitted that he's very unsure if becoming a head coach is for him, much prefers developing players and thinks he could do this better remaining an assistant.

Now, we all know that Paul Wellens has just been given an extended contract, much to the dismay of many of their supporters due to their belief of his limitations. So, is it likely they will improve much next season with Briers seconds in command? And if not, and let's say Wellens gets the boot mid year next season would Briers take the job on or would he prefer to he assistant to a new incoming coach?

Obviously I'm ignoring the fact that they could still shock everyone and win the next three games to become Champions, very unlikely if recent performances are to be compared to (Wire Away, Wigan away, likely Hull KR in the final). Which would cut Wellens a bit of slack.

Can't disagree, think the new system is even worse than the old one. Players in good teams have a far harder time winning it than players in bad teams due to the nature of the points, and the good teams tending to share them etc.

I know it might make it more subjective, but I do think it's better when journalists/officials select it. No system will ever be perfect though. You could even have the players themselves submit a vote

When it comes to analysing a coaching performance it's tough. Whether getting more out of less is better than actually achieving success with better players is more impressive or not, it's clearly the mark of a great coach when he can get a team of lesser players over achieving.

I don't disagree with what you say about Hull KR though, they've got a very good team so it's hardly like some big underdog story. I'd have Rowley over him, most people predicted Salford to be 11th before the season and they've finished 4th with the 2nd best home record in the league. It's frankly incredible what he's done there despite losing his best players.

Obviously wouldn't grumble with Peet winning it either

McNamara winning it the year we won the CC and Grand Final is pretty insane. Especially considering Catalan aren't exactly a little club that has no money, they probably spend more on the cap than the majority of teams.

As you say, awarding it so soon is a bit silly. I remember Watson missing out when Salford got to the grand final in 2019 as well which was incredibly harsh even if it was to Holbrook. Suppose you can't really argue with a team finishing top by 16 points though

I don’t think there is a straightforward solution. The only good thing about it for me is that is keeps the memory of Steve Prescott alive.

I think the MOS method is a bit of a disgrace and that looks like its now filtered into the dream team (with the assumption its been highest points scorers for each position).

However, I don't really get worked up about who gets coach of the year. If Peet wins the Grand Final and doesn't get coach of they year, do you think he really cares?

Who will be the most satisified - Peet or Peters?

Who would be the most in demand and recognised coach - Peet or Peters?

Wigan squad for the Academy Grand Final. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/09/ ... l-preview/

Wigan squad for the Academy Grand Final. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/09/ ... l-preview/

Shame it's not live on Wigan TV. Hopefully we can get the win after the shambles of last year.

It should be a cracking game between two very good teams.

How thick are Wire fans? Singing “you’re ” to Saints when you’re winning by 6 points with 10 mins still left

Not as thick as Johnny Lomax running it on the last in his own 30

"Saints are falling apart again" was a particular highlight

That was an old, creaking team on life support, showing one last sign of life before they go off to oblivion.

Really enjoyed that, Saints fans must be wondering where that performance has been hiding for the last four months, credit to Wire for not panicking when they were two scores behind

Fair play to Saints, they had a dig but they're not the team they were.

Wellens looks like a rabbit in the headlights every time hes interviewed.

Great game to watch. Obviously, the Wigan in my blood wanted Saints to lose but when it got to golden point i was quite contented with us maybe playing them after such an effort but when Williams kicked the drop goal, the Wigan in me came surging to the surface and i couldn't help but start cheering and shouting 'F*ck off Saints' at the telly.

Firstly, wow what a game! I wish somebody with vision and financial backing could get a grip on the sport in this country because I'm a sports fanatic and there is nothing better than that!

As for Saints, you have to give them credit. Tonight is why I could never write them off. The play offs are a new comp and they have so much know how. They never get battered in a play off game and you have to nail down the coffin firmly. They're not the side they were quite clearly. Guys like Walmsley and Lomax look close to being done but they nearly squeezed through. I think Leigh likely give us a tougher game next week tbh because of what that will have taken out of Saints.

I think that's true. We'd have been cooked next week if we'd have gone through I think. We looked completely finished towards the end of that game, couldn't believe we managed to get over for the last try. Unfortunately, that GP period was poorly managed with some poor play from players that were clearly out on their feet

great game!!,Saints are in the past tense now they need new blood etc.
St Helens in the past would have found a way to win,said it 2 years ago with the players getting older and more prone to injuries they would struggle,Wigan are the more superior team now,In the club,players and the set up.

I didnt see last night's game, as a neutral (of sorts) do you think tonight was reffed differently to the regular season? No yellows and I think only one high tackle seemed surprising.

I was at the game so it felt different during.

Well Liam Moore didn't seem to care about the ruck speed but thats the same every game he's in charge of.

I thought it was reffed really well and well done the players, zero histrionics, I can only recall one bog standard lazy high tackle from Walmsley, penalty sufficient, play on.

Good exciting game but the quality wasn't the best. Error rate and number of missed tackles show that. Wire will need to be 3 levels above that to cause KR problems

There wasn't anything really of note tonight that would've been adjudicated differently in the weekly rounds but last night saw Lafai not even penalised for a challenge very similar to the one which Vaughan got a red card and 3 games for only a few weeks ago. Now I'm glad it seems like they may give more leeway but all the same, that causes confusion.

One thing that did make me chuckle last night was Amor laying in to Darnell Macintosh for staying down. He was on Comms when Welsby stayed down at Leigh last week and funnily enough, he didn't seem concerned with it then.

Saints got away with murder at times at the ruck it was that slow, but fair play to them if they can get away with it why not?

We did similar against Penrith in the WCC and Penrith didn’t adapt to it, just like last night Warrington didn’t adapt to that element of the game and how it was reffed on the night.