The annual Magic Weekend returned to our screens but included a major revamp, one that included trading in Newcastle for Liverpool.
From having plenty to drink and enjoying the fan zone activities to watching all six games, the Magic Weekend has thrived over the years, but will it continue to in Liverpool considering the rather low attendance?!
As for the clubs, many enjoyed a weekend to remember, whereas others to forget, as we chose another team of players who graced the Anfield turf in spectacular style.
Coach – Simon Woolford
No doubt about it, Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford easily enjoyed the best result of the weekend as his side surprisingly took apart Hull FC in game two.
Going by the playing shirts, this looked a dress rehearsal for the UEFA Champions League final next week, so if anyone is a Tottenham Hotspur fan, you’d want to look away as the Giants, left the Airlie Birds in their wake.
Woolford successfully guided his side to back-to-back wins over both Hull clubs, and following this ten try blitz, has helped Huddersfield officially become the most successful team at the Magic Weekend as they move forward.
Full-back – Darnell McIntosh
One of Huddersfield’s hottest prospects secures the full-back berth in Darnell McIntosh.
The 21-year-old scored two tries in his side’s biggest win of 2019 as the Giants proved more than worthy of donning red shirts at the iconic Anfield.
He was also one of the players who proved unstoppable in attack as he also managed four tackle busts and 90 metres from 12 carries in what was a crucial win for his team.
Wingers – Jermaine McGillvary & Tom Makinson
Retaining his position from last week is England international Jermaine McGillvary, this time though he is joined by golden boot winner Tom Makinson.
McGillvary was another who added two tries to his tally, but also his staggering 147 metres from 18 carries helped give the Airlie Birds a serious reality check of what he and his team are truly capable of.
As for Makinson, though he only notched one try, his impressive 14 tackle busts and 129 metres from 16 carries helped Saints home to yet another win as they look well on course for perhaps their greatest ever season in the summer era.
Filling in for the injured Ryan Atkins, Toby King has done a fine job in 2019 and on Saturday, enjoyed yet another strong display.
Scoring a try, completing 21 tackles and tallying 135 metres from 13 carries, King helped keep Wigan on the back foot throughout.
As for Linnett, he starred as the Robins ended a five match losing streak, by claiming their first Magic Weekend victory since 2014.
He notched a try, completed 13 tackles and also tallied 130 metres from 14 carries in a tight game where his contribution arguably proved the difference.
Stand-off – Jordan Abdull
But wait? This guy lost right?! London’s Jordan Abdull experienced another strong display that saw him finish as the strongest performer from either the Leeds or London side in the eyes of many.
And with good reason as he scored another two tries and provided an assist, but his key highlight was his kicking game that kept the Rhinos on their toes throughout.
Though he ended up losing, Abdull is going rather well still and should remain in Super League from next season onwards, regardless of his current clubs’ fate.
Scrum-half – Declan Patton
Now a guy who has been heavily criticised by his clubs’ support is Declan Patton.
But the former academy player secures the scrum-half position as he starred in Warrington’s third win over Wigan in 2019.
The 24-year-old scored a try, completed 16 tackles, managed two busts and put in six attacking kicks that helped keep the Wolves dominant throughout as he finally received recognition for his services by returning Warrington to winning ways.
Props – Alex Walmsley & Sam Moa
A fairly difficult choice but St Helens’ fan favourite Alex Walmsley is chosen alongside New Zealand international Sam Moa.
Walmsley was Saints’ main man in the pack as they overcame a difficult start to dispatch Castleford Tigers in front of a sold out section of St Helens supporters at Anfield.
And they were richly rewarded as Walmsley managed 21 tackles, seven busts and an impressive 128 metres from 14 carries in the game.
As for Moa, he proved an important figure in Catalan’s hard-fought win over play-off rivals Wakefield to remain third in the Super League table.
His 117 metres with ball in hand and 20 tackles were enough to assist in halting a fightback from Wakefield to continue their strong run of form heading into the defence of their Challenge Cup this Thursday.
Hooker – Adam O’Brien
New beginnings indeed for Adam O’Brien as his lines up at hooker for the first time in 2019.
The 25-year-old has not had much luck during his spell with Huddersfield but at Magic, he was at his best as he led the way for the Giants in their demolition of Hull FC.
Scoring two tries, completing 28 tackles and seven busts saw him prove too much for the Black and Whites as he should prove an important figure as they move away from relegation and could chase a play-off spot heading into the second half of 2019.
Second-row – Zeb Taia & Benjamin Garcia
The second-row sees two former team mates in Zeb Taia and Benjamin Garcia selected.
The ageless Taia enjoyed another strong performance in yet another win for St Helens.
Assisting in two tries, 28 tackles, three busts and 138 metres from 20 carries saw him work overtime to keep the Saints on the front foot and quell any hope of a fightback for the well beaten Castleford Tigers.
As for Garcia, he proved a crucial difference in Catalans’ win over Wakefield.
Bagging two tries, three busts and 73 metres were impressive, but also was his 37 tackles that arguably proved too much for Wakefield to overcome.
Loose-forward – Aaron Murphy
Another ‘newbie’ as Aaron Murphy rounds off the team at loose-forward.
Once a ‘support player’ now arguably a battering ram, Murphy enjoyed his best performance of 2019 in his side’s 55-2 win over Hull.
Scoring a try, assisting in another, 23 tackles, two busts and 76 metres from nine carries helped his side run riot and could also have saved his side’s season heading into the second half.
