Salford v Catalan Big Match preview



It certainly was an incredible atmosphere at Craven Park on Saturday night. Salford had plenty of early possession but just couldn’t crack the Hull Kingston Rovers defence. Defeat left the Red Devils in seventh place level on points with sixth place Warrington. The Wolves however have a superior points difference so it’s fairly simple now. Salford must get a better result than Warrington on Friday night. The unpredictable Huddersfield Giants host Warrington in a game that could quite easily go either way. Salford host Catalans and the French side are battling it out for top spot in the Super League so doubt they will be gunning for a big victory on Friday. 

The Dragons battered Leeds in Perpignan last weekend 61-0. 
Their is no doubt Salford are short of forwards. This was again very evident on Saturday. The bench looked lightweight with Danny Addy, Amir Bourouh and Chris Atkin amongst the four substitutes. This week Brad Singleton returns from suspension but King Vuniyayawa will be missing after he picked up a two match ban for a rather clumsy challenge against Hull Kr. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1n1XDA1o1y0bs33FjQsBqVV9kG5YJ91Wq

I’ve mentioned it before but I think a big turning point in the season was the defeat at St.Helens. Leading 0-12 at the break to then lose the match and Shane Wright to injury was a real hammer blow. Alex Gerrard was a real lynch pin in the Salford pack last season and his injury problems in 2023 have added to Salford’s woes. Add to that Tyler Dupree leaving the club and it leaves a real void in the pack. Super League is pretty relentless week in week out. You can have the best back line in the world but without that size, grunt and aggression in the pack to lay the foundations your always going to come up short and run out of steam. 

We have James Greenwood, Andrew Dixon and Adam Sidlow in the squad but for whatever reason coach Paul Rowley hasn’t been picking that particular trio of forwards. 

One player who I think deserves some special recognition is full back Ryan Brierley. I thought he was our best player last Saturday. His never give in attitude is very commendable and I thought his desire to chase back and pull off that wonderful cover tackle to deny Rovers half back Mikey Lewis was a real match highlight. Speaking to my good friend Rob Parkinson post match Brierley couldn’t hide his disappointment, he really cares about his team mates and the supporters of our club and that shines through every week. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Hga-D6HazBer7a0jtoLb1YCIgH3xoTt6

Super League home record.

Salford 12
Draws 0
Catalans 6


2009 Salford 16 Catalans 18
2010 Salford 12 Catalans 24
2011 Salford 18 Catalans 44
2012 Salford 34 Catalans 30
2013 Salford 16 Catalans 12
2014 Salford 34 Catalans 22
2015 Salford 18 Catalans 14
2016 Salford 12 Catalans 26
2017 Salford 50 Catalans 12
2018 Salford 32 Catalans 16
2019 Salford 40 Catalans 14
2020 Salford 42 Catalans 24
2021 Salford 14 Catalans 42
2022 Salford 10 Catalans 36
2022 Salford 32 Catalans 6
2023 Salford 16 Catalans 14

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1E01F8ATjmd7NDZ15VK7EnGv06Bk2vxRy

They played for both.

Despite Catalan Dragons short existence there are a number of players who’ve played for both clubs including Jodie Broughton, Luke Burgess, Iain Thornley, David Berthezene, Todd Carney, Krisnan Inu, Michael Dobson, Richie Myler and Gil Dudson.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JngGlg8ARSxaYMOclMU7s3jS2lxpF7gc

A match to remember Friday 1st June 2012

Salford 34 Catalans Dragons 30.

It looked like ‘Good night Vienna’ after twenty five minutes as The Dragons blitzed Salford to storm in to a 0-20 lead with four unanswered tries.
The Reds hit back with tries from Joel Moon and Daniel Holdsworth but Vinnie Anderson was sin-binned before half-time with the score reading 12-20.
Salford were right back in the match with momentum swinging in their favour. The home supporters roared their side on and more points followed.

Two quick fire tries in the opening five minutes of the second half edged Salford in front at 22-20. Sean Gleeson grabbed the first within sixty seconds of the restart before the lightning quick Jodie Broughton crossed soon after.
Salford made it twenty eight points without reply when Australian fullback Luke Pattern crossed for a try. This was a significant score as it opened an eight point gap between the teams.

The Dragons came roaring back though with a try from French international Remi Casty. Their was no stopping the huge prop close to the line.
Jodie Broughton nudged Salford back into a two score lead with his second try and despite Vincent Duports late effort it was just enough for the home side to cling on.
This was an absolutely pulsating encounter in the first meeting between the two sides at Salford’s new stadium.

Catalans had won on an emotional final day at The Willows the previous year.

The teams that night were:

Salford: Patten, Broughton, Moon, Gleeson, Williams, Holdsworth, Smith, Jewitt, Howarth, Sidlow, Ashurst, Anderson, Wild.
Subs. Paleaaesina, Owen, McPherson, Nero.
Sin Bin: Anderson (38).

Catalan Dragons: Bosc, Millard, Baile, Duport, Stacul, Pryce, Dureau, Casty, Fisher, Paea, Menzies, Anderson, Baitieri.
Subs. Ferriol, Henderson, Mounis, Raguin.

Att: 5,841
Ref: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B_UbvSiXzK4Q6E1NNTwFtpaAGlj1UFoF

Friday’s match.

What can we expect on Friday night? Well I am expecting the Dragons to come out like a juggernaut. Their powerful pack and lightning quick back line are a pretty lethal combination. The two sides have met twice this season and both matches were a complete contrast. Salford won 16-14 in their home match in April and the Dragons thumped the Red Devils in the roasting Perpignan heat at the end of July 42-0.

Salford’s back line should be the same but with King Vuniyayawa suspended coach Paul Rowley will have to shuffle his pack and bench. This is going to be a huge test of character and resolve. It’s been a real tough season that has tested Salford’s squad to the limit. Some results have been disappointing but on the whole I think the club has made good solid progress off the pitch with increased attendances. On the pitch Salford are not to far off last season. After the regular season in 2022 the Red Devils finished sixth on 28 points. Going in to Friday’s a win would equal that points total.

If Salford are to make the playoffs they would travel away from home to either Wigan, Catalans or St.Helens. Anyone of those would be a huge mission but that’s what sport is all about. If you want the glory you’ve got to be prepared to play the best and do whatever it takes. Winning trophies is not easy and it never will be. Salford can’t afford to worry about what happens in the Huddersfield v Warrington fixture. The players just need to concentrate on the task in hand and play to the best of their ability against Catalans and what will be will be. 

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick 

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