Agreed, makes no odds.

Leeds go into a GF having been second bottom not 6 months ago and missing Newman, Fusitua, Handley, Sezer and Gannon.

Saints are missing Grace, Hopoate (who are both rubbish anyway), Walmsley (one trick pony) and Knowles.

If Leeds win, it will be a miracle - but the Salford game has show how far the Saints dominance has fallen - sides are starting to catch up now.

Is Walmsley’s one trick consistently destroying Leeds?



Hopoate probably isn’t missing - I think he’ll play. And he and Grace certainly aren’t rubbish as hopefully the former will underline on Saturday.

It is a genuine shame that both sides are missing so many key players but also testament to the toughness of both groups. It will be a heck of a slog, that’s for sure.

Can’t wait.

Walmsley has been the lead in destroying Leeds in many recent games - he's a great player to have, and its a shame he's missing and also for the World Cup. Ditto all the other players out as well - really feel for them, especially Sezer.

Our recent defeats against Sts have started with the forwards and Walmsley plus Knowles out will certainly help us. But with only one genuine halfback and three of our first choice threequarters out its difficult to see us having enough points in us to win.

We haven't beaten Sts in over 4 years and have only been close a couple of times. Unlike previous GFs we have much less experience than our opponents. We are missing some key players (as are Sts). It would be a huge turnup for us to win. I'm going to be a naysayer again and think Sts will win reasonably comfortably.

You also forgot Dodd whose been out since Easter



We only beat Catalans by two points in last years final so really the rot has set in for years

He's also missing out Tom Holroyd, one of our four true props, who hasn't played a game all year. But enough of the "who is missing" tit for tat, it's ultimately about the players who will take the field on Saturday night. Don't think you'll find many Leeds fans who think the Rhinos are favourites, but the beauty of sport is that underdogs do sometimes come out on top. I do wonder if you Saints fans who can't stay away from this forum secrety wear blue and amber pajamas. It's alright, you can tell us.

Dodd is rubbish too. A poor man's Kevin Brown.

Thats the worst attempt at a wind up i've ever seen

It is out of Wolves 69 book of rubbish

I give us about as much chance as i gave us against Cas in the 2017 Final , which was virtually nil .

I'll raise you Konrad, a poor man's Francis Meli

If Agent Hurrell is half as much use to Leeds as Agent Meli was in those Grand Finals we stand a great chance

have we ever been favourites in a grand final?
04 maybe

doubt we were favourites then

possibly not

Not sure where the notion of Walmsley is a one trick pony comes from.
Probably the most consistent prop over several years.
Like what's been said it`s a pity both teams aren`t at full strength for this one and going on our last two games it`s a hard one to call.
On paper Saints look the better of the two but so did Wigan and Catalans.
It`s a shame Gannon isn`t playing and you never know Smith might spring a surprise and add Sezer to our 21.
No predictions from me for this one as I haven`t a flipping clue who will win it.
Here`s for a great game and Welsby messing up a plenty

If i remember rightly we had been beaten by Bradford in the qualifying final 2 weeks earlier ?

we had. at home.
but we broke all records that season

I’d get Bentley in Welsby’s face. One of them won’t last the match…

Not entirely grand final related, but if anyone finds an explanation of how the appeal of Knowles ban isn’t frivolous, as has been adjudicated by the mrp, please explain it to me.

no idea. at least it was upheld

I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with England selection.

Obviously not, because they could just stick him in the knights to serve the ban as they appear to have done with Bateman, and no doubt call him up in time for the World Cup.

What an embarrassing mess the RFL truly are.

Anyone know who the ref is for the final?

Why do you think it was frivolous?