Liam Farrell praises ‘very special player’ Bevan French after Grand Final heroics

Wigan captain Liam Farrell praised Bevan French’s “amazing” talent after the Australian’s dazzling first-half try was the difference in his side’s 9-2 win over Hull KR to win the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

French tore through a gap in the Rovers defense and eluded Niall Evalds’ desperate dive to seal a score that evoked comparisons with Rob Burrow’s famous half-way burst to help win the title for Leeds in 2011.

There could hardly be a more fitting winner of the first man of the match award to be named after Burrow, who died in June, and veteran Farrell, who now has six Grand Final wins, argued that no he has done it seen someone better

“I’ve played with a lot of good ones, but in terms of skill and what he does with the ball, I’d say he’s (the best).

“The thing about Bevan is that he does all the special things, but he’s willing to chase, defend and do all the little things well. With that X-factor as well, you know you’ve got a very special player.”

Wigan winger Liam Marshall, who finished the season as Super League’s top scorer but was denied another in the second half when he crossed in the corner but was ruled out for a knock-on in preparation, agreed with Farrell in the impact of the talismanic half-back.

“You just expect the unexpected with him. When there’s no space in front of him and it doesn’t look like an opportunity, he can create something out of nothing.”

Wigan’s win, which was complemented by two goals from Adam Keighran and a drop goal in Harry Smith’s half-time goal, was extra special for Farrell as he turned his club from city ​​in the first to win the quadruple in the same season. .

Farrell, who battled a suspected virus to line up for the ninth Grand Final of his career, recalled growing up watching the dominant sides of the Super League era, whose similar successes stretched into successive campaigns.

“It’s probably the number one hit. I remember as a kid watching a very special Bradford team that dominated the competition for a year, and to be up there with them and mentioned in the same circles is pretty special.”

Wigan’s hopes of repeating the feat are already hanging by a thread as NRL champions Penrith, who Matt Peet’s men demolished in spectacular fashion to kick off their quadruple campaign in February, have indicated they are unlikely that next season’s schedule will allow for a repeat performance.

Farrell added: “If there’s any way to do it, we’d definitely be up for it. The club 100 per cent want to play in the World Club Challenge. We’ve got a really rich history and if both teams can pull it off then it would be great to have another game against them.”