Super League Magic Weekend memories: Pundits' choice

Image: Jarrod Sammut (centre) celebrates scoring a debut try against Bradford at the 2010 Magic Weekend

Sky Sports pundits Brian Carney, Terry O'Connor, Barrie McDermott and Phil Clarke pick their favourite memories from the 10 previous Magic Weekends ahead of the latest edition.

This weekend the 12 Super League teams once again descend upon Newcastle, with Rangi Chase's new club Widnes taking on Wakefield in Saturday's opening encounter, before Hull FC clash with Saints. The final game of the day is a repeat of last year's Grand Final as Wigan and Warrington take the field on the back of differing form since October.

Live Super League Magic Weekend

On Sunday the Dragons do battle with the Giants, then Leigh and Salford kick-off, with a mouthwatering clash between Castleford and Leeds bringing down the curtain on the 2017 Magic Weekend.

Ahead of the action, we asked our pundits to pick their favourite moments from over the years...

Brian Carney

Advertisement
Brian picked Jarrod Sammut's individual effort from 2010

I loved Murrayfield as an experience and Jarrod Sammut's try for the Crusaders is the moment that stood out for me.

Sammut had only arrived in the UK a couple of days before Magic Weekend. He came off the bench against Bradford and within a couple of minutes he chipped over the top of the Bulls defence and got a favourable bounce to score a memorable debut try.

Also See:

Terry O'Connor

Terry didn't want to pick a try, and instead picked out a heated encounter between Wigan and Leeds in 2014

I'm sure my colleagues will all be selecting tries - it wouldn't even surprise me if my fat mate went for a try. I prefer the hard stuff though!

There are a few things that stick out in my mind, like Wigan v Saints brawl in 2012 that resulted in three red cards and the Adrian Morley try for Warrington against Saints a year later - and the pile-up afterwards.

But for me the standout moment came in Wigan's win over Leeds in 2014 and the duel between Jamie Peacock and Michael McIlorum.

On two occasions Peacock took the ball up and leathered into McIlorum, and then was a set-to which led to three yellow cards.

Barrie McDermott

Barrie selected Leeds' last-gasp win over Bradford as his memorable moment

My favourite moment came in the final minute of Leeds' meeting with Bradford in Cardiff in 2007.

Leeds were awarded a penalty and Kevin Sinfield lined up a long-range kick at goal which would have drawn them level.

Sinfield's kick came back off the post but Jordan Tansey was the quickest to react and he touched down to snatch the win.

However, replays showed that Tansey was a mile offside!

My good mate Iestyn Harris was going crazy with referee Steve Ganson, but Gants, the strong character that he is, was having none of it. The try stood and Leeds nicked it 42-38.

Phil Clarke

Phil selected Luke Dorn's try in 2016

That try by Leeds in the last seconds of their game against Bradford in Cardiff was memorable. It should not have been a try but the ref made a mistake and sometimes it is the drama that makes sport so interesting. The best team don't also win.

But my pick is Luke Dorn's first try for Castleford against Warrington last year. The Wolves had led 14-0 at one stage before the Tigers came back and scored 34 unanswered points.

Dorn scored their first try to spark the revival and it was the best in my eyes. It had a kick and eight passes from memory. A brilliant passage of play.

Outbrain