Grand Final review!

Wow. I like being wrong on occasions like this. Wigan's game plan worked perfectly. Warrington tried but with errors from from both sides, Wigan did what Wigan do and defended for their lives and once more, questions will be asked of Warrington getting over the line to win the big prize. Warrington are not bottlers like everyone seems to be saying. They have won the league leaders shield just two weeks ago and have won the Challenge cup before, so big games are not an enemy to them. Is psychology getting in the way for the biggest prize of them all though? I think so. Warrington were so poor yesterday. They didn't play with the freedom that I expected and in my opinion, that was all they needed to do. If Warrington put Wigan under any pressure late on with points, they would win. Leeds do it all the time in Grand Final's, score at the right time and drain their opponents, the opponents make mistakes and Leeds punish them. Warrington didn't do this. Wigan won't either, they'll defend and look to score when they have a spell with the ball. They did that and won. Anyway, on with the match review.

Wigan got 2 early points from a penalty. They did this in 2013 against Warrington too. If you're in for a low scoring game (Wigan wanted that yesterday) then every point matters. What an important two points too. Wigan had a try chalked off in the 16th minute with a forward to pass to Charnley who went over in the corner, the correct decision. Wigan dominated but Warrington used their pace to their advantage half way through the first half. Dec Patton goes over and the try was converted by the try scorer, 6-2 at HT. 

With the second half in full flow, Warrington went over again, we go upstairs with a try given on-field. Ratchford with a lovely offload just before he touches the floor and Atkins goes over. With five Wigan men behind and on him, he drops the ball when trying to force the ball down, he isn't in control and we continue at 6-2. Three minutes later in the 54th minute, Wigan are in, Farrell breaks loose and has an easy pass with Gildart in near the touch line, Smith can't convert (I've been disappointed with his kicking this season, that's just my opinion, he's getting better but Wigan should have a better kicker). We have a level game at six all (6-6). 

Wigan were in again in the 63rd. Sarginson with a fantastic dab kick short through Warrington's defence, the ball slows up and it was meant to be for Josh Charnley in his last ever game for Wigan. He's off to switch codes and has signed for the Sale Sharks. Good luck Josh!! Smith misses the kick (surprise) and we have a close contest. Four points in it, Wigan lead 10-6. Smith converted a penalty eight minutes from time to make it a one score game still, but Warrington need a converted try, not just a try, with the early penalty putting Warrington under pressure to score and put massive pressure on Patton to convert. All to do for the Wolves. 12-6. The penalty incident that Smith converted in the 72nd minute was controversial. O'Loughlin drove for the line, he could not get the ball down and the ball was judged to have been stolen. In my opinion it was not a penalty although I can see why it was given, silly from Warrington for the situation but not too costly, it was still a one score game. Wigan's defence held superbly and in the last four minutes Warrington drove for the line twice, one superbly defended to put the man into touch and then held a metre from the line in the last minute. Wigan time wasted, played slow, defended well and won the game. Well done the Wigan Warriors and well done Shaun Wane. That's four consecutive Grand Finals and had lost their last two, they were under pressure to perform, like Warrington. Wigan played their game and Warrington did not. Wigan did not allow them to play and Warrington looked ordinary. You want to see more in the Grand Final, they made the same mistakes as when Wigan played them last month. Never make the same mistake twice. They did just that and they need a mentality change. The wait continues for the Wolves and Wigan are champions again. 

Full time, Wigan Warriors 12 - 6 Warrington Wolves.