2022 Season Review: Catalans Dragons

13 Dec 2022

In 2021, Catalans Dragons were preparing for their first Betfred Super League Grand Final; this year, they were left to reflect on a season that finished in frustration.

Steve McNamara's side exited the Play-Offs on its first weekend, going down 10-20 to Leeds Rhinos in a feisty Perpignan clash.

In many ways it summed up the Dragons' season overall - McNamara couldn't fault their effort over the course of 80 minutes, but they struggled to find the necessary consistency to replicate their 2021 exploits.

Like so many clubs this year, Catalans had to deal with their share of injuries at different stages, though that cannot be the sole reason for the fact that they lost more matches than they won in the second half of the campaign.

Ultimately, that made their road to Old Trafford tougher this time when the Play-Offs got under way, and they couldn't find a way past the Rhinos.

The Dragons looked to be sitting pretty at the start of June, second in the table after an impressive start to the year.

After another fiery defeat in the first round at St Helens, McNamara's men would win 10 of their next 12 Super League matches, with high profile close season recruit Mitchell Pearce climbing the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel table with a series of impressive performances.

A 28-0 home win over Wigan was among their most eye-catching results, although hopes of a Challenge Cup final return were ended by Saints at the quarter-final stage.

Mitch Pearce on his own ?

3 tries in his last 2 games for @DragonsOfficiel #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/H9l71qOIF2
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 16, 2022

Still, when they won away at Hull KR in May live on Channel 4 the Dragons were well placed to secure another top two finish, and even though they stumbled against Huddersfield and Castleford - the latter in golden point extra-time - a 20-18 home win over St Helens suggested they were genuine title contenders again.

But a heavy Magic Weekend loss to Warrington seemed to knock the wind out of their sails to an extent, and consistency was an issue for the remainder of the regular season, as they won consecutive games only once again.

The final weekend 4-48 defeat at Wigan actually provided some of the biggest positives of the whole year, as McNamara handed debuts to a host of home-grown Frenchman who stood up well to a full strength Warriors side.

"It was a huge effort from them," McNamara said after the game.

"It gives them a taste of what it's like on a big stage against probably one of the best teams in the competition. That's something they need to aim for on a regular basis in the future."

The following week though McNamara's returning stars couldn't inspire them to victory over the Rhinos.

"We tried really hard but we just couldn't find any rhythm in the game," the coach admitted.

"We've had to fight, bite and scratch to put ourselves into this position. But tonight the number of injuries and changes we have had to make took their toll.

"Frustration got the better of our players and we didn't handle the situation well enough. In the last 20 minutes we could have fought our way back into the game but our discipline let us down."

Now McNamara must oversee some key personnel changes in his squad ahead of 2023, particularly in the pack, with Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson heading to Warrington and the exciting Joe Chan earning a move to Melbourne Storm.

Yaha becomes the joint all-time leading try scorer for @DragonsOfficiel ?#SuperLeague #SLHulCat pic.twitter.com/RWIGnBnfBB
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 24, 2022

Some constants will remain, having again been integral figures in 2022; ultra-consistent captain Ben Garcia, influential full-back Sam Tomkins and prolific top try scorer Fouad Yaha.

And alongside the host of Wigan away debutants, the likes of Corentin Le Cam, Cesar Rouge, Tiaki Chan and Matthew Cozza all gained increased exposure this season that will serve them well in the future.

McNamara himself remains entirely convinced about the club's long-term potential and value to the competition, something he highlighted when discussing the issue on Sky Sports towards the end of the season.

"I don't think it's about French rugby league, I think it's about rugby league in general," he explained.

"Across the game as a whole, we've been doing a lot of things similar for a number of years, and we've got a fantastic product on the field.

"Of course, I've got self-interest in France, but I also see what has happened throughout the whole of the game in France as well.

"I'm very passionate about the investment that has been made in France by the French clubs and potential government funding which can come from it."

Key man

While other Dragons undoubtedly had their moments at different times during the season, it's hard to look past skipper Ben Garcia in terms of sheer consistency. The French international set his side's lead upfront in both attack and defence, whatever the scoreboard read. His commitment to the team was perhaps best illustrated when he twice returned from a shocking ear injury that required plastic surgery.

Rising star

Joe Chan's rapid rise saw him become one of Super League's most damaging runners during 2022, catching the eye of NRL giants Melbourne Storm, where he will follow in father Alex's footsteps just as he has done at the Dragons. The 20-year-old forward showed his attacking prowess with seven tries, adding to the steel he has both with and without the ball. His progress in Australia will be fascinating to watch.

????? d?faite de la saison en Super League
??? m?tres gagn?s par Joe Chan
?? plaquages pour Alrix Da Costa

Les stats du match ? Salford
? https://t.co/xBGaUDA8MC pic.twitter.com/Ilbzahlt59
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) July 18, 2022

Season highlight

Not many teams were dominant winners over Wigan in 2022, but the Dragons achieved just that in March. With Sam Tomkins outstanding against his former club, Catalans were in control for the entire game, leading 16-0 at the break. Stand-off Mitchell Pearce scored a try in either half, while just as impressive was the home defence in a game that finished with a flurry of cards.