20) BRYSON GOODWIN v Wakefield Trinity
51st minute
Super League Round 28 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kicking off my countdown is Bryson Goodwin's final try in a Warrington shirt. Goodwin's try came at the end of a lovely passing move out wide which involved Daryl Clark finding Blake Austin, before Austin found Ben Currie with a looping cut-out pass. Currie played a reverse ball inside to Stefan Ratchford, who had no trouble with finding the free Goodwin, to cross the whitewash. This was an example of some exciting, quick and confident rugby which had been missing for so long in the second half of the season.
19) JOSH CHARNLEY v Huddersfield Giants
15th minute
Super League Round 3 - John Smith's Stadium
This is arguably the best team move of the season. From acting half, Daryl Clark plays a ball for Chris Hill to run on to. Uncharacteristically, Hill then sends a quick pass behind him for Mike Cooper to receive. Hill's fellow prop Cooper looks to draw in Michael Lawrence before playing a rasping short pass to Declan Patton, who takes two steps to bring in the Huddersfield defenders before a no-look pass to his right to Blake Austin. Austin dummies to send it wide, but instead finds the nearby Ryan Atkins, who loops the ball over the top of Akuila Uate to give Josh Charnley a run to the line. The winger manages to ground the ball despite the challenges of Matt Frawley and Aaron Murphy. A beautiful sweeping move wide from Wire.
18) BEN CURRIE v Hull FC
34th minute
Challenge Cup Semi Final - University of Bolton Stadium
The second try in the cup semi-final was one of my favourite in terms of accuracy all season. On the fifth play, the ball was moved to Declan Patton in a central area, 15 metres out. Patton put in an inch-perfect kick into the path of the running Ben Currie, who leapt above Mark Minichello to grasp the ball and ground it to restore Warrington's advantage at Bolton. This kick was probably the best play Patton produced all season, and also excellent attacking work from Currie.
17) JOE PHILBIN v St Helens
25th minute
Challenge Cup Final - Wembley Stadium
The opening try at Wembley came from the Warrington-born Joe Philbin. The versatile forward got the scoreboard going in the 25th minute. A short run from dummy half by Daryl Clark allowed the former Castleford man to find Philbin with a quick pass 15 metres out. Philbin found a gap and drove through, managing to ground the ball despite the pressure of Luke Thompson and Jonny Lomax to send the Warrington end into raptures. A try full of grit and power, again started by Daryl Clark, and this time finished by an unsung hero.
16) BLAKE AUSTIN v Wigan Warriors
55th minute
Super League Round 16 - Anfield Stadium
One of the most memorable moments of the season. With Wire fans packing out the Anfield Road end for Saturday night at Magic Weekend, the atmosphere was electric, though the scores between rivals Wigan and Wire were tied at 8-8 with 25 minutes left, and Wigan were in the ascendancy. It was a Magic Weekend game that needed a flash of magic to change it in Warrington's favour, and that's exactly what it got. Austin received the ball 35 metres out and superbly sliced his way through the Wigan defence, shaking off five players' attempted tackles to score under the posts and deliver his biggest moment in a Wire shirt so far. A gorgeous try, once again made by Clark and finished by Austin.
One of the most memorable moments of the season. With Wire fans packing out the Anfield Road end for Saturday night at Magic Weekend, the atmosphere was electric, though the scores between rivals Wigan and Wire were tied at 8-8 with 25 minutes left, and Wigan were in the ascendancy. It was a Magic Weekend game that needed a flash of magic to change it in Warrington's favour, and that's exactly what it got. Austin received the ball 35 metres out and superbly sliced his way through the Wigan defence, shaking off five players' attempted tackles to score under the posts and deliver his biggest moment in a Wire shirt so far. A gorgeous try, once again made by Clark and finished by Austin.
15) BEN MURDOCH-MASILA v Castleford Tigers
50th minute
Super League Round 5 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
This is a very unique try and the only one of its kind on this list. Blake Austin finds the big second rower around 15 metres out, and the Tongan forces his way through the challenges of Paul McShane and Jake Trueman, driving straight for the tryline with McShane and Peter Mata'utia hanging onto him, a phenomenal show of strength. This was Ben Murdoch-Masila at his very best. If he could deliver stuff like this more consistently, he'd be one of the best forwards in the league. For me, this try is the essence of the sport and a reminder of why we all love rugby league so much.
This is a very unique try and the only one of its kind on this list. Blake Austin finds the big second rower around 15 metres out, and the Tongan forces his way through the challenges of Paul McShane and Jake Trueman, driving straight for the tryline with McShane and Peter Mata'utia hanging onto him, a phenomenal show of strength. This was Ben Murdoch-Masila at his very best. If he could deliver stuff like this more consistently, he'd be one of the best forwards in the league. For me, this try is the essence of the sport and a reminder of why we all love rugby league so much.
14) DARYL CLARK v St Helens
72nd minute
Challenge Cup Final - Wembley Stadium
The Challenge Cup victory was secured with a try in the last ten minutes by Daryl Clark, who capped off a man-of-the-match display with this trademark score. Collecting the ball five metres out from dummy half, Clark feinted to move right but went left, forcing his way over, grounding the ball and putting the seal on the trophy. This superb piece of skill and show of determination was Clark's performance in a microcosm.
13) JAKE MAMO v St Helens
2nd minute
Super League Round 25 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
It might have been a depleted and much-changed Warrington team in August's defeat to St Helens, but Wire still scored two tries as a result of excellent moves out wide. A strong carry from Ben Westwood was followed up by a short dummy-half run from Danny Walker, who found debutant Riley Dean. Dean then passed to the onrushing Stefan Ratchford - the full back then playing a tremendous quick ball out to the edge to find Jake Mamo, who had a free run to the corner to open the scoring. Despite so many big players being missing from the squad, this was some of the most attractive stuff Wire played in the second part of the year.
It might have been a depleted and much-changed Warrington team in August's defeat to St Helens, but Wire still scored two tries as a result of excellent moves out wide. A strong carry from Ben Westwood was followed up by a short dummy-half run from Danny Walker, who found debutant Riley Dean. Dean then passed to the onrushing Stefan Ratchford - the full back then playing a tremendous quick ball out to the edge to find Jake Mamo, who had a free run to the corner to open the scoring. Despite so many big players being missing from the squad, this was some of the most attractive stuff Wire played in the second part of the year.
12) DARYL CLARK v Leeds Rhinos
33rd minute
Super League Round 1 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
For my 12th best Wire try of the season, we must go back to February and the very first game of the season, the 26-6 home win over Leeds. Wire were already 14-0 up after tries from Stefan Ratchford and Josh Charnley, and a trio of Ratchford goals, but Daryl Clark's magnificent solo effort from dummy half put the game beyond reach for the Rhinos. A Mike Cooper offload found Clark 12 metres out. The hooker jinked past Matt Parcell, and wasn't going to be stopped by Jack Walker or Brett Ferres either, showing fast nimble movement and plenty of strength to score his first try of a tremendous season.
11) BLAKE AUSTIN v Catalans Dragons
38th minute
Super League Round 17 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
Two more tries from this match are coming up later on in this countdown, but the first of the three is Blake Austin's penultimate try of the season. Daryl Clark collected the ball from behind the ruck, and drew two Catalans defenders into his sideways run before passing a reverse ball to Austin. The former Canberra man raced through from 20 metres out, producing a glorious hand-off on Tony Gigot at the end of his run to finish off his try, right in front of the East Stand. A sensational combination try from the two stars of the team.
Two more tries from this match are coming up later on in this countdown, but the first of the three is Blake Austin's penultimate try of the season. Daryl Clark collected the ball from behind the ruck, and drew two Catalans defenders into his sideways run before passing a reverse ball to Austin. The former Canberra man raced through from 20 metres out, producing a glorious hand-off on Tony Gigot at the end of his run to finish off his try, right in front of the East Stand. A sensational combination try from the two stars of the team.
10) TOBY KING v Hull FC
50th minute
Challenge Cup Semi Final - University of Bolton Stadium
The Wire's third try of the Challenge Cup semi-final came in similar style to Ben Currie's. An absolutely perfect kick from Blake Austin 20 metres out found the run of Toby King, who in trademark fashion leapt higher than anyone and held on to the ball strongly enough to ground it, and give Wire an eight point advantage at Bolton. A simply brilliant kick from Austin on the fifth - right on a sixpence.
9) TOM LINEHAM v Hull KR
39th minute
Super League Round 2 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
Lineham's only entry into my top 20 is for his first try of the season - a spectacular effort in the corner in Round Two of Super League back in February. With Wire struggling to break a resilient Hull KR side down and facing the prospect of going into half-time behind, Steve Price's team needed a moment of inspiration. A well-executed long pass out wide from Blake Austin arrived to Bryson Goodwin, the centre playing a basketball-style pass to Lineham, who just about prevented the ball from hitting the ground before producing a flying left-handed finish right in the corner despite the tackling efforts of Ben Crooks. A truly marvellous finish, Tommy Makinson-esque.
8) BLAKE AUSTIN v Hull FC
13th minute
Super League Round 8 - KCOM Stadium
Warrington's best performance of the season came in Round Eight when Steve Price's team put 63 points on Hull FC away from home, with four tries from Blake Austin, who produced arguably the best individual performance of the Super League season. To be honest, any of his four tries could have made it on this list, as they were all good for different reasons. Here we have the second of his four tries, which came on the fifth player after 13 minutes. Receiving the ball from Ratchford, Austin dummied to send the ball wide, confusing the Hull defenders no end, creating a huge gap for the stand-off to dive over for his second try. Utterly audacious play from a mercurial talent.
7) JOSH CHARNLEY v Wakefield Trinity
58th minute
Super League Round 7 - Mobile Rocket Stadium
Josh Charnley's second try in this list is also his second try of the night at Wakefield. Blake Austin was given the ball a humongous 60 metres out, before dummying to pass the ball to Lama Tasi and breaking straight through a gap in a baffled Wakefield line. Austin unleashed his lightning pace and raced to the ten metre line, getting wider and wider with his diagonal run. The close attentions of Max Jowitt forced Austin into a pass to Charnley, who came up with a cool diving finish in the corner to bag another try. A terrific run from Austin and a belting finish from Charnley.
6) BRYSON GOODWIN v Catalans Dragons
64th minute
Super League Round 17 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
The second half of this match was one of Wire's best 40 minutes of the season, and it was started off by Bryson Goodwin's try. Daryl Clark found Declan Patton, who then played a lovely quick ball out to the right edge, arriving in Goodwin's hands. The centre stepped inside David Mead and raced to the line, crashing over for his 100th career try to round off a great attacking move.
5) JACK HUGHES v Castleford Tigers
37th minute
Super League Round 5 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
A very unusual try and from an unexpected source. This was actually one of the most inventive tries of the season. A kick wide from Blake Austin on the fifth tackle landed in the hands of the leaping Jake Mamo, who was making his first Wire start. Mamo, who had already got two tries to his name, turned before getting a one-handed pass away to Jack Hughes. The co-captain fended off the challenge of Greg Minikin and spun away, then dummying a basketball pass to Mamo, giving himself a clear run to the line. A fabulous bit of skill and creativity from someone not usually associated with such flamboyant play.
4) DARYL CLARK v Catalans Dragons
31st minute
Super League Round 17 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
Until this moment in the game, Wire were really struggling. Catalans had scored early through Fouad Yaha, and with only ten minutes until the break, the home side desperately needed some inspiration. Clark picked up the ball from acting half 35 metres out, and had options left and right. However, Clark was on a mission to change the game, and went on a mazy run, evading four tackle attempts from four separate players, before crossing for Warrington's first try of the match. An absolutely sensational effort full of skill, pace, strength and invention.
Until this moment in the game, Wire were really struggling. Catalans had scored early through Fouad Yaha, and with only ten minutes until the break, the home side desperately needed some inspiration. Clark picked up the ball from acting half 35 metres out, and had options left and right. However, Clark was on a mission to change the game, and went on a mazy run, evading four tackle attempts from four separate players, before crossing for Warrington's first try of the match. An absolutely sensational effort full of skill, pace, strength and invention.
3) BLAKE AUSTIN v Huddersfield Giants
53rd minute
Super League Round 13 - Halliwell Jones Stadium
This was a real contender to finish top of this countdown. The skill and deft footwork Blake Austin shows in his run to the line is majestic and lit up what was a very ordinary Warrington performance. In the 53rd minute though, that ordinary performance had an injection of the extraordinary. Austin was given the ball by Daryl Clark from 45 metres out, and upon receiving it, instantly changed direction before skipping inside and outside three attempted tackles with some unbelievable movement. This try also featured the infamous Patton point.
2) DARYL CLARK v Wigan Warriors
37th minute
Challenge Cup Fourth Round - Halliwell Jones Stadium
Super League's best hooker at his very, very best in a big moment. How often have we seen Daryl Clark grab a game by the scruff of its neck and change it in an instant with an unstoppable run from behind the ruck? This was a prime example. The scores were tied at 12-12 in the Challenge Cup between Wire and Wigan at the HJ, and half-time was approaching. Picking the ball up from 38 metres out, Clark raced past two members of the Wigan line before bending his run to get past Zak Hardaker and cross for a trademark Daryl Clark try. World class number nine play and a game-changing moment.
1) BLAKE AUSTIN v Hull FC
31st minute
Super League Round 8 - KCOM Stadium
And here we have it, my winner. In my opinion, Warrington's best try of 2019 was Blake Austin's third at Hull FC in March. Austin was given the ball 60 metres from the tryline, yet in a few seconds time was crossing for his hat-trick. Austin took the line on and a quick change of direction was enough to see off the first few defenders before making his way to the 20 metre line and selling another dummy, which Hull FC had no qualms about buying. He then raced to the line and dived over the whitewash for a truly stunning try. Skill, pace and trickery - this try had everything. This was absolutely beautiful half-back play and my try of the season.
So that's another piece of season review content down. I've now done my player rankings for the year, ranked every single performance and my top 20 tries of the season. In the coming weeks you'll see a detailed review of Wire's season, as well as some early thoughts on 2020, and of course, the obligatory Super League team of the season - and keep your eyes open for another big countdown too. Let me know your thoughts on this piece in the comments or by contacting the blog on Twitter @aloosewire.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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