It can be seen that way and I do agree to an extent, but that's the system we're under. Everyone knows the rules and it's difficult to fully judge who the best team is over the season because some don't value finishing top like others do. Warrington for example had never finished top, so for them it was a big goal at the start of the year, whereas I doubt Saints or Leeds saw it as a big target at the end of the year and instead were just looking to be in the mix knowing their Play Off & knock out records are strong. The current system is distorted. Fair play to Leeds they have a big game mentality and despite having a poor season during the league campaign, they've managed to qualify for two finals. Warrington were the best team this year, no doubt, the league table doesn't lie. But they'll be forgotten now. That's the harsh reality of it. It happened to us in 2005, 2007 and 2008 so I don't have a great deal of sympathy.

As for Warrington, they'll still be there or thereabouts next year with the amount of quality they have but Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Hodgson etc will be a year older so time is running out for this side before they have to rebuild. I imagine with their financial backing they'll be challengers for a while though. I wouldn't worry if I was a Warrington fan, especially as they have a strong academy system in place as we'll see in a few years when a few break through.

Top post.

Also agree about the team, this was the best chance we have age wise, injuries etc and to be honest we blew it IMO we won't ever get a better shot at it.

Bit of rebuilding couple of younger players like Ratch and Hill but King will be a massive loss he's like two players sometimes.

A team finishing second, third or fifth to be crowned champions, St Helens and Wigan playing each other five times. This is the reason I have never attended a play off or grand final game. Complete farce!

I though Morley and Carvell were outstanding and westwood and anderson were alos strong. I thought they were getting a bit more go forward to win terriotory, but Leeds had all the big plays from the pivot players up their sleeve.

Buderus was outstanding, still life in the old dog yet.

I'm a big fan of Bridge, but that miss on Webb was absolutely criminal.

Oh, and "McDermott In!!"
What a change around he's had this season.

Who expected that? No one outside of the leeds dressing room.

However the leeds players knew they had the know how, the abilty, the form and the momentum.

Next week they either get a wigan team who they've been damned unlucky not to beat this season or a saints team and the opportunity to 'take them to that dark place' again.

It promises to be a corker.

I know as saints fans you'll think differently, but would you back against leeds at old trafford now?

Personally I would absolutely love for us to have the opportunity to right a few wrongs against Leeds in the GF. We've got a bit of momentum going too, don't forget. We have a big hurdle to overcome today, though.

I don't have to apologise for an opinion.

As for the Wire, Bridge was shocking, Briers was hiding for most of the game, Monaghan did very little and Myler was anonymous. His decision to arrogantly stand offside will go down in Warrington history next to Paul Cullen's knees.

It's not how you start, it's how you finish.