Salford v Catalans.

Well I certainly hope you’ve got your breath back from Friday night. A magnificent performance was capped off by the sensational atmosphere the supporters created before, during and after the match. It was a night I’ll never forget. What summed it up for me was a photograph I saw taken by our very own club photographer Steve McCormick. Steve does a wonderful job week in week out capturing players and supporters. The photo I am referring to was one of new signing Jack Walker and Rowan Milnes. It shows them embracing each other in a display of raw emotion. Looking at the photo you’d of thought they’d been playing together for years and we’d just won the cup final. For me that photo told the story of Friday night from a players perspective. The team spirit that had been built in such a short space of time was truly powerful. 

Every player gave their all and let’s take into account that some of the young players have very limited experience at Super League level. This is what made the whole night that little bit more special. Young Jack Darbyshire scored a fine try and showed maturity beyond his years. He was very solid in defence and I am looking forward to seeing him develop over the next few games.

That can be said about all the loan players. Nathan Connell once again showed how much he’s improved this season. Nathan has been thrown in at the deep end with the circumstances and the way everything has panned out. He’s taken it all in his stride, worked hard and embraced it.

I was delighted to see Justin Sangare play so well. With many experienced forwards leaving in the last few months Sangare has really stood up and helped drive the team forward. 

I could go through every player because there was so much to talk about in a positive way. The work Louix Gorman did to help set up Sangare’s second try was priceless. He’s another youngster with a huge future. I’d love to see some of the players who’ve arrived on short term deals stay with us for next season. I suppose in the cold light of day there is still a lot to be sorted out before we can even think of the 2026 season though.

Going back to the supporters on Friday at Warrington and to say I was proud to be part of that following is an understatement. You could see how emotional Paul Rowley was at the end of the game and I also think the Warrington club and supporters were very respectful towards us before and after the match. 

As I write this on Monday evening we have the HMRC hearing just days away and to bring us back down to earth after Friday’s epic high, assistant coach Kurt Haggerty has left the club by mutual consent. I don’t know the nature of Kurt’s departure but it’s another real blow. I’ve been lucky enough to interview Kurt on lots of occasions and he’s a real gentleman. His knowledge of the sport is second to none and I’ve no doubt he will go on to have a very successful career. It’s a real shame Kurt has left before the end of the season because as with a number of players recently the supporters won’t get chance to say thank you and farewell.

I’ve got a feeling the atmosphere could be a little different on Thursday night against Catalans. Supporters are constantly being treated with contempt and the lack of communication from the people who run the club is very disrespectful. It feels very much divided. Paul Rowley often states that we are connected from top to bottom when he talks about staff, players and supporters. I sadly don’t think the ‘owners’ are in anyway connected. They are the only people who can change this situation but they are drastically running out of time!

Super League home record.

Salford 13

Draw 0

Catalans 7

2006 Salford 16 Catalans 0

2007 Salford 10 Catalans 0

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

2023 Salford 8 Catalans 19

2024 Salford 27 Catalans 12

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, Theo Fages, Richie Myler and Gil Dudson.

A match to remember Friday 26th May 2017.

Salford 50 Catalans 12.

Sometimes in sport you get those matches were everything seems to turn to gold. For Salford this was one of those nights. Earlier in the week the Manchester Arena had been bombed in a cowardly terrorist attack claiming many lives and shocking the whole country and in particular the Greater Manchester area. It was a very sombre atmosphere prior to kick off and that was understandable given the circumstances.

The Red Devils started brightly with two early tries from Gareth O Brien and Josh Jones to stamp their authority on the match. The Dragons had no response and couldn’t contain Salford’s fluidity with the ball. Kris Welham scored a nice try before Niall Evalds and Ryan Lannon added tries before the break.

Bright young hooker Kris Brining went over just minutes after the restart to put the match to bed but Salford hadn’t finished there. Half back Robert Lui ghosted over before Olsi Krasniqi grabbed a try.

Salford’s final try went to Mark Flanagan. The loose forward who held the team together with his non stop work rate. Michael Dobson kicked seven from nine to cap off a very emotional night.

The teams that night;

Salford:
Gareth O’Brien, Niall Evalds, Josh Jones, Kris Welham, Greg Johnson, Robert Lui, Michael Dobson, Lama Tasi, Logan Tomkins, James Hasson, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Weller Hauraki, Olsi Krasniqi

Subs, Mark Flanagan, Ryan Lannon, Craig Kopczak, Kris Brining.

Catalans:

Tony Gigot, Iain Thornley, Krisnan Inu, Brayden Wiliame, Fouad Yaha, Luke Walsh, Richie Myler, Jordan Dezaria, Julien Bosquet, Remi Casty, Sam Moa, Alrix Da Costa, Mickael Simon

Subs, Vincent Duport, Lucas Albert, Paul Seguier, Ugo Perez.

Attendance, 4,827.

Referee, Robert Hicks.

Thursday’s match.

It’s been a very disappointing 2025 for Catalans. Head coach Steve McNamara left the club in May after just under a decade in charge. Since his departure the Dragons have won just twice and were nilled three games running in the miserable month of May. High profile players have failed to find form and the club have been a shadow of the one that has regularly contested in the playoffs. 

If Salford can play to the standards of last Friday then this could be a very competitive match. It’s seems a long time since the Red Devils last played a home game, in fact it was the 31st July a 12-74 home loss to Hull Kingston Rovers. A whole host of players have left since then. As I’ve mentioned many times this year a week is a long time in Rugby League. 

Esan Marsters returns to the twenty one man squad after recovering from his shoulder injury but Jayden Nikorima is absent which is a blow after he impressed against Warrington. Sam Davis who’s had very limited game time this year is in the squad along with Emmanuel Waine who played for us at Leigh a few weeks ago. 

Rowan Milnes has been the catalyst in recent weeks and if he can guide us around the pitch on Thursday with his astute kicking game then Salford have a real chance.

The Dragons have former Salford player Theo Fages in their squad, Oliver Partington misses out. The evergreen Ben Garcia is set to feature. French international Garcia has well over two hundred Dragons appearances under his belt and he can play in a number of positions.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.