Leeds 26-10 St Helens

Not gunna call a prediction for this one, dread to think what the game will be like and really think its going to be the closest final weve had over the three years, really hope we can live up to the favorites tag, and pull off a record breaking win.

it's in my preview come thursday mate

Leeds kickers 2009 (All Comps)

Kevin Sinfield 119 from 153 (78%)

Lee Smith 14 from 15 (93%)

Rob Burrow 1 from 2 (50%)

Ashley Gibson 1 from 1 (100%)

Leeds Overall 135 from 171 (79%)

You have to be confident that if Sinfield was injured at any point during the game that Smith is a very able replacement although he has only had 15 attempts.

Compare that to Long (according to SL website) with 49 from 78 (62%) and Eastmond 31 from 43 (72%) we really do have the goal kicking advantage!

Those will probably be SL regular round only if they come from there (excluding WCC, Challenge Cup and SL Play Offs) or in other words incomplete.

That said Eastmond's record (and he appears to be first choice now) is better than I would have expected. Kicking 7.3 compared to 7.8 (out of 10) is not a massive disadvantage. Perhaps Leeds should give the job to Smith.

And when you consider that the majority of trys scored in these finals are scored out wide, it could make all the difference.

Sinfields goal kicking recently hasn't been too hot, but I'll back him every time in the huge games.

I did yesterday. Not sure where though

Arghh well, if you can't prove it!

It's not like you to back against leeds but I have to agree.

Winning 3 grand finals against a team as good as saints is a bit too good to be true, i think on the day their desire will be greater.

in 2007 and 2008 i was nervous.... i'm not nervous so far this year and cannot decide if thats a good or bad thing!!?

just glad we are at old trafford to defend our title, worst position to be would be at home watching two others platy to take the trophy away from us whatever the outcome!!

Quote ="Inflatable_Armadillo"Arghh well, if you can't prove it! '" viewtopic.php? ... 6#14622746

Quote ="Inflatable_Armadillo"Arghh well, if you can't prove it! '" viewtopic.php? ... 6#14622746

I am not sure tvoc if Eastmond has it in him to keep that average up for an entire season. My gut is telling me that had he attempted anywhere near as many as the top five kickers that he would not maintain 72%. To be honest, it is a little better than I thought as well!

As for Smith, as well as the sample being low, I would actually argue that he has generally kicked from the tee under less pressure than Sinfield and has kicked a few of those once Sinfield has gone off for a 'rest' and Leeds have the game in the bag already. You might be right though... 9.3 out of 10!

Bugger, oh well, great minds think alike!

"Desire" shouldn't ever be an issue here. If any one player wants this so much as a tiny bit less than any other player on the pitch, he shouldn't be out there. 3 wins/losses in a row shouldn't be a factor - plain and simply it's the biggest game of the season on the biggest stage against your biggest rivals - that's all any player should need to want this more than anything - especially after all the niggle betwen the two sides in recent games.

I am tempted to say something along the lines of "If both teams play to their best ability, Leeds win", because I genuinely think that Leeds at their best are better than anyone in this country, although in St Helens case, not by very much. However, I don't think it's possible for two opposing teams to be 100% at their best at any one time - part of playing to the best of your ability is stopping the other team playing to the best of theirs. So, whoever is able to nullify the strengths of their opposition wins.

This for me is by far the hardest of the 3 recent finals to call. It could, and probably will, be a very close game, however, I could quite easily see either team winning by 18-20+ I just hope whatever happens that it's won fair and square by one side, so there can be no "so and so should have been sent off, or so and so's try should/shouldn't have been alllowed" arguments for months. If the officials do their job properly, and the best team wins, then so be it, whoever that might be.

Having said all that, last year I didn't give Leeds a chance in hell, and they won. This year I really do think they can win. This worries me.....

Pretty much spot on. However even Saints at 100% will mean at least one fumbled ball from Meli or Gardener. It's Leeds ability to take advantage that will make the difference.

From memory, Sinfield's kicking success record in Grand Finals.

2004: 4 from 4
2005: 1 from 2
2007: 6 from 7
2008: 4 from 4

Overall 15 from 17 (88.2%)

I think Leeds will win by 10-16 by pulling away at the end but it will be tight.

simplistic view but they have scored less than 20 points in the last eight games (going back to 25th July) - over the rhinos last eight games (granted including a couple of big scores), if my sums are right, the rhinos have averaged 37 points.

1 Brent Webb
2 Scott Donald
3 Lee Smith
4 Keith Senior
5 Ryan Hall
6 Danny McGuire
7 Rob Burrow
8 Kylie Leuluai
14 Matt Diskin
10 Jamie Peacock
18 Carl Ablett
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan
13 Kevin Sinfield (C)

12 Ali Lauitiiti
16 Ryan Bailey
17 Ian Kirke
19 Luke Burgess

Drop out:

21 Simon Worrall
23 Kallum Watkins

IMO

1. Paul Wellens, 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 10. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Chris Flannery, 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 16. Tony Puletua, 17. Paul Clough, 18. Kyle Eastmond, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 24. Andrew Dixon, 28. Matty Ashurst.

Ashurst and Dixon to drop out at a guess.

That would do for me if all are 100% fit

1 Brent Webb - - - 1. Paul Wellens
2 Scott Donald - - - 2. Ade Gardner
3 Lee Smith - - - 3. Matt Gidley
4 Keith Senior - - - 18. Kyle Eastmond
5 Ryan Hall - - - 5. Francis Meli
6 Danny McGuire - - - 6. Leon Pryce
7 Rob Burrow - - - 7. Sean Long
8 Kylie Leuluai - - - 16. Tony Puletua
14 Matt Diskin - - - 9. Kieron Cunningham
10 Jamie Peacock - - - 10. James Graham
18 Carl Ablett - - - 11. Lee Gilmour
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan - - - 12. Jon Wilkin
13 Kevin Sinfield (C) - - - 13. Chris Flannery

12 Ali Lauitiiti - - - 17. Paul Clough
16 Ryan Bailey - - - 14. James Roby
17 Ian Kirke - - - 15. Bryn Hargreaves
19 Luke Burgess - - - 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu

Drop out:

21 Simon Worrall - - - 28. Matty Ashurst
23 Kallum Watkins - - - 24. Andrew Dixon

why have you bolded some of the players?

ones he hasnt been in touch with wanting a cuddle off