Two teams were eliminated at the weekend. Bradford were pipped in a controversial game the moment Wigan Athletic FC wanted the rugby side them out. However, that didn't take away the fact that Wigan would struggle. Instead they battle bravely despite a late start and exposed Bradford's poor defence to march onto another elimination tie at the home of Catalan, who dispatched Warrington with comfortable ease 46-8.
Bradford
Never made any real impact this year. Remained out of the limelight for the majority of the season with very average displays that saw them punished. A loss to Huddersfield springs to mind. However as a team they stuck by each other and managed (after a few results going their way) to finish in fifth spot. No mean feat, but I feel they know themselves that they didn't live up to their full potential. I don't think they have since Brian Noble left for Wigan, and feel once Steve McNamara goes the team will get back to striking fear into opponents hearts like they did in 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2005.
Warrington
Another year over but the same question arises, why do I bother? Over the course of the regular season, this is the third season in a row this team has disappointed on a weekly basis. Anyone would think the players were doing it on purpose. What were described as 'the best signings in Super League history' failed to show any signs of being worthy in Super League. Michael Monaghan and Matt King both know this. You don't need to tell an ex-international and a scrum half who played in Matt Orford's shadow for two years. However, you may need to tell an inexperienced young winger who seems to have the ego of a hot air balloon that he has let his side down. The same can be said for Lee Briers, who despite winning more games for Warrington than he has lost in a eleven year club career, has never made less of an impact this year since he signed.
However, there were signs of life within the squad. Chris Hicks is without a shadow of a doubt my player of the year. Having had to move to fullback to cover the injured Chris Bridge and Stuart Reardon, he has coped amazingly well and managed to score in every game he has played in. Only Andy Farrell and Kevin Sinfield have done the same feat in thirteen years. Chris Reilly has matured from a nervous wreck to a confident young player. He still has a long wy to go, but the progress is good. Adrian Morley has also lead from the front, and as for Ben Westwood...the guys a power horse. He never game less than 100% all year and really wants an England place for the world cup. I personally put him on the plane now.
So where did it all go wrong? Injuries are never an excuse in my opinion but Warrington have had more than their fair share. Three players went off for the season after the Challenge Cup campaign ended, and to lick salt into the wounds Jon Clarke broke his arm last night. But as an observer I don't think the team gelled together. Its one thing getting your cheque book out, its another getting thirteen individuals to work as a team. And for twenty-seven rounds they played like decent individuals, which makes them a very poor and underachieving side. Paul Cullen's exit seemed to act as a moral booster, and the team strung a very good run of victories together including Bradford and Leeds. But the loss to St Helens five weeks ago was the stake being nailed into the coffin. From there we never recovered despite the work and effort going into that very good performance.
It show the quality of potential champions when you play the best you have all year and still lose.
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