Sinfield's acheivements are comparable with Longs' but you don't rate him at all.

You can stop <REMOVED> over Long. He's been past it for two full years. Never mind Dobson, I'd have Dobbin the Donkey over him.

Define how the two are comparable, you're nuts putting them on the same planet, unless I blinked and Sinfield has won MOM accolades in Finals?

Sinfield Captains this Leeds side but arguably you could have Dobbin the Donkey leading this outfit and Leeds would be just fine.

Agreed.

I think both Bradford and Warrington would have put a far better show on IF they had made it into the 8

Lance Todd Trophy?

In playing terms the only choice would be Catalans. We've beaten them twice this season fairly easily this season and we lost recently to Wigan. There's also the fact that Wigan have beaten us at this stage before when they had an inferior team to us.

Financially the only choice would be Wigan. They'd bring some support, Catalans won't.

We should choose Catalans, without a shadow of a doubt.

Sorry not read the rest of the thread but this is spot on.

In playing terms, Catalans have done really well but this is their 4th week (effectively) of playing knock out football in England. Their record at Headingley is poor and the bubble has to burst soon. Plus, pick them and it lets Saints & Wigan play their final a week early AND make the claim you were always going to pick the lowest placed side.

The only (football) risk is that the Catalans pack could leave some battered and bruised bodies a week before the final.

However...if we take a guess that a Wigan tie would bring an extra 3000 to the gate that might well equate to £75,000 that would be being given up by Choosing the Dragons.

I'd have thought the decision will tell a great deal about the relationship between McClennan & Hetherington. Will it be a playing decision only? Will it be a financial decision the coach just has to deal with?

Whilst choosing the Dragons might lose us £75k (your guestimate) for next weekend, it would also increase the chancing of reaching the GF, which I would have thought is more financially viable than taking a bigger risk and choosing Wigan just for the extra £75k.

all the gate monies are pooled together and then shared out,should we choose the dragons,the only lost revenue imo will be the bar takings on the night etc

Does anyone else think there's a risk that if we send wigan to saints the winning team will be galvanised from winning a big semi-final derby giving their form a big kick up the rear just in time for the final (obviously I'm primary thinking of a saints win here since they're the ones who've been a bit off key the last few weeks/months).

On balance I'd still go for Leeds-Catalans though.

Based on the game last night, I can't see a good or bad choice for us. The Cats pack would indeed give Stains a severe battering - and potentially turn them over. If HKR had won last night I would have invited them back to Headingley in an instant and sent Cats to knock seven shades out of the Ginger Whinger and his merry men.
I think we will offer the Mersyside public another chance to entertain their favourite Piemen though.

Of course you could always choose to play Saints.

are you thick?

Not as much fun beating them in the Semi Final as there will be winning a 3rd consecutive Grand Final against them.

Pedant Mode:

Catalans knocked Wakefield out last week!

I have an excellent girth thank you but lets save the social chatter for PM'ing.

Sky Sports News have reported that Leeds can choose any of the other 3 teams.

They and you are wrong

Real Radio News are saying Leeds can pick any of the 3, and they too can be added to the mis-guided.

Leeds can only pick catalans or wiggin!

I concur.



Come on Leeds v Catalans. The M62 is a real disaster on a friday night

John D and Frosties looking excited on Sky so far.

So you think Leeds will reveal the tactical thinking behind the pick?

It would not suprise me if they will say something like they were always going to pick the lowest ranked team, and that subsequently is Catalans.

it's started...

I agree and would not be suprised at all to be honest

It's.....Catalans Dragons. Not a surprise.

Well, that was a big shock.