Well done to Leeds.

Yes, having halves out was a big blow to us (we lacked any sort of organisation and our kick plays were dire, as you would expect) but we very nearly scraped a win. Some daft mistakes and poor decisions on both sides.

I thought Senior, Buderus and Bailey were all outstanding. And DM of course.

Thanks.

Given how close the game was I think Eastmond & Pryce could easily have made the difference for saints on saturday but also we could have pulled away if it wasn't for silly unforced errors & penalties.

I had a bet on us winning by more than 2 on Saturday. As soon as I got a text about Pryce I covered with a bet on Leeds - I just think he is that important.

Pryce has been magnificent for us in recent weeks and basically all of our attack goes through him in Eastmond's absence. We were never going to win the game unfortunately (or fortunately depending on what colour shirt you were wearing!)



I think Saints made just as many - was an unusually scrappy affair.

You are probably right but it's never seen at that from the opposition.

I thought Meli cost you on a few occasion's, he was very good for 90% of the game and looks a better centre than wing but for some reason he struggles when the pressure is on, he had a 2 man overlap to score the match winner and came back inside!

I thought Leeds made hard work of it with errors and penalties.

To be honest Saints didn't look like causing Leeds too many problems from range. If we'd have pegged them in their own half it would have helped. The lack of options in the halves didn't help Saints.

As the game went on, even went Graham went over, I thought we would win. Saints were blowing. Leeds' engine beat Saints.

For all the sniping at Wilkin over on the Saints board (scapegoat-tastic), that was the game changer for me.

Absolutely - you're always going to use more energy than you would like when you have zero kicking game.

Agree about some scrappy plays from both teams FTV but some good RL and 100% effort and commitment from all involved.

No question - I was really proud of our lot, as I have been for much of the season given the circumstances we seem to be in each and every week!

Should be a cracking final, but I have a feeling Warrington would have beaten either side on Saturday. Three weeks is plenty of time to find some form though.

I'd agree though I think they need to play like that again to stand a chance of doing us in the final. If it's scrappy, or a dour battle then it's a Leeds win for me. Equally, we're not a million miles off putting in a top notch attacking performance. If/when we do, we can match Warrington's flair.

As you say, a terrific effort by Saints. My underlying feeling was that it was a game that you could have lost by quite a big margin under the circumstances.

Warrington are flat-track bullies.

They're ok when they are up against inferior opposition and can throw the ball around, but they've already lost twice to a below-strength Leeds this season, once to Wigan and once to Saints.

How many times had we beaten Hull before the 2005 final? was it 10?

IMO Wire have a better chance of beating us than Hull did in 2005.

I don't remember saying they don't have a chance, just making the point that their results against the better sides this season have hardly backed up the hype that gets built off the back of putting 50 on poor opposition.

They could very easily have won the game at Wigan and at the HJ against Saints. Arguably, they were the better team in both those games. They were good in their win against Wigan too. I wouldn't call that flat track bully territory.

Saints have hammered Leeds once and nearly beaten them twice with no halves. Had we played Wire without Pryce last week I think we might have been mullered. I know it's all ifs, buts and maybes, but that's my opinion.

It's not just this season though, is it? How many times have Wire been in winning positions against Saints in recent years and not been able to either physically or mentally close out the game?

They're impressive if they're allowed to throw the ball around and if everything they throw sticks. We too can do that; the difference is, we can also win the scrappy games and the arm wrestles. I'm not convinced Warrington can.

[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/10/08/08/RUGBYL_Warrington_Quotes.html[/url

Heard a short interview with Tony Smith on 5 live this morning and he managed to call us favourites 3 times in that as well, I think he's made his pre match psychological built up plan a bit to obvious.

Coach Smith always proclaims his team as the underdogs in big games. He was just the same when he was at Leeds.

I expect coach McClennan will do the same, I mean just look at the table.

What gives you that idea?


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We've beaten Hull home and away.

He was quite often right too

I'm hoping TS plays Chris Bridge (with one working shoulder) in the final, and also goes with 2 props, leaving one to do nearly the full 80. It's a proven tactic.

Once bitten....

I think we can assume that yes

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Ypu've just got to hope that Joe Vagana doesn't belly flop on Matt King the week before the final, and that Carvell doesn't throw 5 dubious offloads the same week in order for him to get dropped.