Catalans’ fairytale end to this year’s Super League season will not continue with a grand final appearance, but the Dragons can expect a strong showing in 2015.
The French club went down to minor premiers St Helens 30-12 last Thursday, with Saints set to play Wigan in the decider at Old Trafford this weekend.
It had been an unlikely run for Catalans after finishing in seventh spot and then upsetting both Leeds and Huddersfield away from home with last-minute wins.
But the journey was over thanks to Saints, and the Dragons now have their eyes on next season.
Already it is looking good. In 2015 they will welcome Willie Tonga, as well as former stars of the club Remy Casty and Scott Dureau back. And of course they have been given the green light for the human-headline Todd Carney to join the side.
Will Toddy be a help or hindrance?
There’s no doubting Carney’s a big talent and he should set Super League alight. He’s played Origin, for Australia and in an NRL grand final, and at 28 there’s plenty of footy left in him.
It’s just off the field where the question marks remain. But Super League has been good at the past at rehabilitating wayward NRL stars.
Greg Bird’s stint at Perpignan did him wonders, while Joel Monaghan and Tim Smith have been great in the UK. Carney could do the same in France. He just needs to keep the ‘bubbler’ and his other array of pub party-tricks locked away.
He will be out of the NRL fishbowl and attitudes will a little more relaxed in Europe. Away from the spotlight he could get back to playing great footy.
That is certainly what Catalans are hoping.
Helping him along there will be Michael Monaghan, the Warrington hooker having retired and joined the Dragons coaching staff. He is a smart operator and should do wonders for the French club, particularly with their attack.
Monaghan replaces David Waite on the staff, who has returned to Australia. A former Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra and Great Britain coach, Waite is set to retire in Melbourne.
Just after the loss to St Helens he told Sky Sports that the future is bright for Catalans.
“What we’ve seen is the start of a very strong club, it will only get stronger from now on. I’m more than happy to be leaving it in very capable hands and believing what the future holds for them… France can become a very strong team.”
The Dragons have not only been great for Super League but great for French rugby league as a whole. They have a French head coach in Laurent Frayssinous and some exciting local talent in Morgan Escare and Elio Pelissier. These players need to be nurtured and the future will be very bright.
Add some big forwards in there like Jeff Lima, Elliot Whitehead, Zeb Taia and Louis Anderson, seasoned pros such as Ian Henderson, thrown in great finishers like Michael Oldfield and Tonga, and Catalans can aim for a top-four Super League spot in 2015.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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