Men
Top Ten Magic Moments at St. James' Park
11 hrs
- It's ten years since the first Magic Weekend was staged in Newcastle!
- Let's take a look at the top ten Magic moments at St. James' Park!
To mark the tenth anniversary of Super League’s first Magic Weekend in Newcastle back in 2015, we’ve compiled the top ten Magic moments at St. James’ Park…
Do you agree with our picks?
1. Catalans' Comeback (2021)
Taking the top spot has to be Catalans Dragons’ sensational comeback against St Helens at St. James’ Park in 2021!
Steve McNamara’s side were 30-12 down with just four minutes remaining on the clock, before pulling off one of the most stunning fightbacks in sporting history.
The French side scored three quick-fire tries from Dean Whare, Gil Dudson and Sam Kasiano - inspired by general James Maloney - to send the game to Golden Point in dramatic fashion.
Tensions were at an all-time high around the stadium, as Maloney slotted over a drop goal in extra-time to secure a breath-taking victory, as well as the club's first ever League Leaders’ Shield!
2. Jacob Miller drop goal (2016)
Who can forget Jacob Miller’s monstrous drop goal that clinched Wakefield Trinity a 25-24 win against Catalans Dragons in 2016?
Trinity had been losing 14-0 but fought their way back into the game to level the scores at 24-24, and Miller, from the halfway line, nailed a drop goal to seal an emphatic victory for Chris Chester’s side.
What a boot ??
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 2, 2021
Jacob Miller's match-winning drop goal for @WTrinityRL at @daciauk #MagicWeekend in 2016 ?#SuperLeague
3. Kruise Leeming drop goal (2021)
Kruise Leeming became the hero of Leeds Rhinos as they beat Hull FC by a dramatic Golden Point drop-goal.
He was Leeds' key man in the 2021 Magic, as Leeming and teammate Jack Broadbent responded with a try each to send the game into extra time.
There was drop goal frenzy and missed attempts from either side, before Leeming, two minutes before the very end, produced the moment of the match and kicked the one-pointer - the first in his career.
St. James' Park saw plenty of drama that day, as this game followed on from 'Catalans' Comeback' at number one.
What a boot ??
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 2, 2021
Jacob Miller's match-winning drop goal for @WTrinityRL at @daciauk #MagicWeekend in 2016 ?#SuperLeague
4. Tommy Makinson length of the field try (2017)
Not only does Tommy Makinson hold the record for most points scored by an individual player at a Magic Weekend - but who can forget his memorable Magic full-lengther against Hull in 2017?
This try speaks for itself!
Makinson etched himself in Magic history with this exceptional individual effort in Newcastle, as he raced 100 metres on his 150th Saints appearance, evading numerous Hull FC defenders to score.
Saints were being overseen by new head coach Justin Holbrook at the time, as the Red V stormed to a comprehensive 45-0 victory.
Hull prop Chris Green and Black & Whites stalwart Danny Houghton valiantly chased the winger all the way, but speedster Makinson found his way to the try line.
Going the distance at #MagicWKND ?@TommyMak21 scored this full length try back in 2017 as @Saints1890 defeated Hull FC ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/aKMxPvYqRo
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 6, 2024
5. Jake Connor crazy try assist (2016)
It’s one of the most talked about try assists in the illustrious history of Magic Weekend - did Jake Connor think he was playing football?
He set up Aaron Murphy's try in an unorthodox fashion!
Connor then went on to produce yet another unconventional try assist for Hull FC in 2018, when his kick hit the crossbar to bounce perfectly for Scott Taylor.
Some skills!
.@jakeconnor8 what's your touch like? ??
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 24, 2019
This man loves an unorthodox assist, including this one for @Giantsrl at 2016 @daciauk #MagicWeekend ? pic.twitter.com/BUEyBJAoXY
6. Josh Griffin hat-trick (2023)
The 2023 Magic Weekend in Newcastle was full of great stories – especially Josh Griffin's second-half hat-trick in the stirring 30-18 win for Hull FC over Warrington Wolves.
Although an unlikely hat-trick hero, Griffin enjoyed a stellar performance, with his third score sealing a memorable Magic win.
7. Toulouse's fightback (2022)
Plenty was riding on Wakefield versus Toulouse’s Magic game in 2022, with both clubs rooted to the bottom of the Super League table and staring relegation in the face.
Scores from Liam Hood, Matty Ashurst and David Fifita plus three conversions and a penalty from the boot of Max Jowitt put Wakefield into a commanding position at the break as they led 20-4 at St. James' Park.
But Matty Russell’s two tries, along with scores from Lambert Belmas, Nathan Peats and Latrell Schaumkel helped Toulouse complete an incredible second-half turnaround, going on to register a 38-26 win over Trinity in this Magic Weekend opener.
An intercepted try from Guy Armitage on the final play of the match put the result beyond doubt and pulled Toulouse just two points behind 11th-placed Trinity at the time.
8. Joe Burgess' leveller (2017)
Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will face each other for a fifth time in Magic history this weekend, but who can remember their first meeting on the Magic stage which ended in a pulsating draw?
Wigan had been leading 18-6 courtesy of a Liam Marshall hat-trick, before Warrington clawed their way back into the game in the second half.
With seconds remaining on the clock, Joe Burgess brilliantly gathered a high kick from skipper Sean O'Loughlin to tie the scores against their rivals; this thriller concluding the opening day of the 2017 Magic Weekend.
9. George Williams' celebration (2021)
After his controversial signing to Warrington, Williams loved it in 2021 when he faced his former club for the first time at Magic Weekend.
Here’s how he celebrated scoring a try against the Warriors!
10. Jonny Lomax match-winner (2022)
Winning at Magic Weekend always has an added feel to it, but doing it against your rivals is next level!
Who can remember Jonny Lomax's match-winner for St Helens against Wigan Warriors? Saint Lomax sealed a magical 20-18 victory 90 seconds from full-time back in 2022.
As the famous saying goes, "Never Write Off The Saints!"
Betfred Super League's Magic WKND returns to St. James' Park in Newcastle on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May!
With a blockbuster Betfred Super League line-up and plenty happening in and around the stadium, will you be taking full advantage of the Bank Holiday brilliance and a weekend of Rugby League’s epic extravaganza in the Toon?
Be a part of it and purchase your tickets online now!
Information regarding kick-off times can be found here, with ALL six games across the weekend broadcasted LIVE on Sky Sports.
