I agree plus the fact he has lost a lot of timber since the start of the season and he is back to the shape he was when he was tearing it up for the giants.

I have no doubt he will participate and make his (positive) mark on the game for Rhinos.

I am more worried about how our defence is going to cope with the speed of Eden and Hardaker.

Ferres doesn't look to be in the shape he was at Hudds. He still looks half a stone overweight and in some discomfort when walking, never mind running.

The referee for the big game will be James Child.

He owes us a performance, two years of mediocrity so far, not all his fault of course but a perfect place to show us what quality he has and there is no doubt he has it, he more than held his own in the international arena before he came to us. Certainly glad we have him on the bench and available for this.

I dont rate child but that said i can't think of a ref in SL i do rate so.....

Also, i find in the GF the ref is not so picky and lets the game flow more than regular season games.i can't recall a final where the ref has spoilt it blowing the pea out of his whistle.

Harshly sending off Ben Flower?

[urlhttp://www.rugby-league.com/superleague/article/51144/james-child-to-referee-betfred-super-league-grand-final[/url

We're doomed.

I thought I'd read somewhere that we've won eight of the last nine games where Child has been the ref.

Now that has to be a joke surely?
If anyone deserved sending off it was Flower.

Very salient point. A free flowing will obviously be to Cas's benefit.

I did go for Cas by 10, I'll now go for Cas by 20.

Weather is important. Think if it's wet that'll help Leeds rather than Cas. At present only 20% chance of rain on Saturday evening according to the Met Office.

So far then, the ref will work in Cas' favour so will the weather, not really any point in the Rhinos even stepping on the pitch. We should all save our money & watch something else on Saturday night, Strictly anyone or X Factor?

I don't hold much hope, so my plan is to enjoy myself as much as possible before the game.

Called this a few months ago. He's consistently had high profile games this year usually reffed by Bentham or Thaler. I think weve had him 9 times this year, won 8.

bookmarked.

I thought Hohaia old-manned the ref. Flower barely touched him.

I reckon Leeds will make sure Ward is fit for this bit like what Cas did with Huby when he dislocated his elbow before CC Final

Huby was 3 weeks before not 8 days like Stevie. On the other hand in 2015 Shenton played 2 weeks after dislocating his shoulder.

Interesting, i was told that Child only got SL gigs because he was gay and was given semi-finals to cover up this fact. The RFL would never give him a showpiece final. It was definitive evidence of him being promoted above his ability because of his sexuality?

This post gave me flashbacks to 2007 and 2008. Substitute "Saints" for "Cas" and I could have just gone back in time.

Yep, all the other years i was very confident of our chances but this feels a lot more like those times.

I will go and be delighted if we win, if we lose with all that has gone before it i can deal with it no probs and Cas would be very worthy winners to be fair.

Is that "barely touch" why Flower got banned for 6 months?

Huby had 13 days after dislocating his knee cap and was nowhere near fit. Played off the bench but sentiment got in the way then. McDermott won't play ward if he ain't ready to go

Been by far the best of a poor bunch!and not a big fan of Hardaker!