“How can it be deemed late if you’re committed to the tackle” fans question yellow cards as Saints look to the future – How social media reacted to St Helens’ win over Catalans

Yesterday, St Helens put the rest of the league on notice with a statement win over Catalans. The Champions downed the league leaders by 34-12 to move within touching distance of top spot and give their treble hopes a real boost. Well, that was my take but how did social media see it?

Let’s start with the man who was awarded the Sky Sports man of the match and had St Helens fans going crazy about his potential all over Twitter: Lewis Dodd. The young halfback scored a vital try in the opening stages of the game and was a creative spark throughout despite the wet. In the absence of Theo Fages, it’ll be his job to guide Saints to Old Trafford and many believe he’s more than capable of doing so.

Lewis Dodd 👌🏻#RugbyLeague

— Lady Jane (@JanewithoutaY) August 7, 2021

Not seen alot of Lewis Dodd, heard big things about him and you can see why after that today. Serious talent and get the feeling were only scratching the surface with him so far

— Phil Jones (@philrodneyjones) August 7, 2021

Dodd isn’t the only exciting youngster at St Helens. Jack Welsby is being tipped to take over at fullback next season and people believe a Dodd-Welsby partnership could soon rock the league.

1. A good win 2. Lewis Dodd and Jack Welsby have the potential to be magnificent players 3. Da Costa is the laziest player I have ever seen 4. Apparently McNamara ‘couldn’t be happier’. How bizarre. 5. Muted atmosphere

— Ken Bold (@bold_ken) August 7, 2021

To get overly excited about Welsby is to do a disservice to the man he’ll replace next season, however. Lachlan Coote was again superb yesterday. He’ll be missed when he joins Hull KR next season.

You know what, it’s gonna absolutely kill me seeing Lachlan Coote lining up for another SL team next year 😩 #TheReason pic.twitter.com/N4axICHypc

— Dez M (@RLFan_XIII) August 7, 2021

St Helens fans weren’t 100% happy however. Some were frustrated by the Sione Mata’utia’s yellow card. Many believe something has to change where the rules are concerned.

Laughable if RFL Disciplinary even look at Sione Mata’utia’s tackle, how can it be deemed late if you’re committed to the tackle before it’s released? In that case it’d need to be a yellow for every tackle on a kicker who gets it away! pic.twitter.com/yq9vXUfO1S

— RedVee.Net (@RedVeeDotNet) August 8, 2021

Switching focus to Catalans, it certainly isn’t panic stations for the league leaders so long as they get some of their injured players back soon and to be honest their youngsters stood up well yesterday. The future is bright for Catalans.

That’s certainly one way of looking at it. TBH I thought the young players stood up well. I thought the experienced players let Catalans down (Maloney) spends so much time moaning he forgets he has a game to play.

— The Red V (@coveredinsins) August 7, 2021

Not the contest I was hoping for, given how many Catalan have out and further in game injuries…but the young Catalans players have stood up well.

— Ian Collett 🍒⚪️🏉 (@PieEatinGooner) August 7, 2021

In fact, it’s a real positive time for the sport as whole in France with Toulouse flying high in the Championship. People are desperate to see the Dragons joined by Toulouse next season so we can stick our teeth into Super League’s first ever French derby.

https://twitter.com/CastRugby/status/1424012940940820481?s=20