Seemingly under the radar of everyone, sintellins have now put a few results together and are sitting pretty in 5th. Should they stay in 5th, they will get the benefit of an easier run to old trafford than everyone else, as leeds have enjoyed this past 2 years. Once they get a few big results behind them, the old swagger could return.

It would certainly be nice to see them topple wigan for the title, but it's building up to be a very intriguing playoff series.

Would be hilariously embarrassing for the league.

A glamour team with great heritage success and history......who plays the game in [ithe right way[/i battling against the odds to claim a tremendous victory.

What would be embarrassing about that?

I suppose the embarrassment to the league maybe comes from the so-called big clubs of Warrington and Wigan repeatedly choking when it matters, failing to demonstrate champion qualities despite all the advantages being lined up in their favour?

Surely the biggest chokers in recent history are in-fact St Helens, therefore it would be embarrassing if a champion team, say for example Leeds, lost to them in the play-offs?

Not really, these things happen. It would be great for the game if Saints came through this year after all the play off pain they have endured, a real story of redemption and of persistence. And, as has been noted, they play the game the right way; it'd be a shame for a more cynical team to win it.

I wholeheartedly agree. It would be great for the game if sintellins were to recapture their former glories. A real lesson in perseverance, something everyone could learn from.

It would however, be terrible for the game if a more (as you mention) cynical and robotic team was to win it, not mentioning any names.

St Helens fall from the top over the last year or so co-incided with refs picking up and stopping their '(in) famous forward pass tries'.

The refs spotted them , cracked down on them, and saints started to drop down the league.

This thread is lacking a point...

Leeds were a better side then the 5th placed finishes suggested whereas Saints aren't IMO.

They are having their best run of the season and coming in to form at a decent time but would I back them to do a Leeds and beat Hull FC home, Leeds away then Wire away to make the Grand final and then win it? (just an example of the sort of teams they'd need to face) Not a chance.

They look to be making some decent signings for next season though so I'd expect them to challenge for trophies again then.

Oh how we laughed!!!

Its took Saints nearly all season to adjust to having no half backs, now they have found a way to operate they are hitting form with confidence. Playing Hull, Leeds and Wire to get to a final is no big shakes, Saints had to beat Wigan twice in the play offs a couple of seasons ago to get into the final, no one gave them a chance but they did it.
Our influential players of Soliola and Roby are due back for the play offs, so Saints could be hitting the play offs with strength in both form and players.
As for winning the Grand Final, I don,t think so, history shows you need seasoned half backs to do that.

We have beaten Leeds and Warrington away already this season.

Why can't we do this again?

I'm not saying we will, but to say 'no chance' when we have already done that with this team when we weren't playing as well as we are now...

Let's look at the evidence....they drew 22-22 at home with Hull and won at Leeds (30-22) and Warrington (22-10) earlier this season. They're more than capable, alright.

If we dont do it this year I would prefer saints tbh , that said anyone but Leeds or kr really

Good luck to 'em, they've had injuries all year long and to be honest other than a few anti Nathan Brown comments, have stuck by their team.

Now they're getting players back they're starting to show what they can do, still behind the top 4 at the moment for me, but in a little group of very competitive teams along with Hull, KR, Catalans & Wakey.

Two reasons for me-

1- you will need to do that (or similar) in a row.

2- When it comes to the crunch games they're better sides and your pack won't be able to live with them.

We'll see but I'll be stunned if Saints are holding the trophy aloft at OT come October.

Like Leeds couldn't live with Wigan last season when it came to the crunch? It can happen and has happened.

I'd be stunned too, but you never know

I must admit I chuckled when my mate tipped them for the Grand Final at the start of the year but they are quietly going about their business and creeping up the table. Still very tough to beat if you draw them in the play-offs.

But like my original point, Leeds were a side who's league position lied whereas Saints does not!

Still can't see past Leeds and Wigan for the Grand Final this year, though I can't see why Saints won't give it a good shout.

Unfortunately my pessimistic nature doesn't allow me to believe that we can win the Grand Final this year.

It's a simple ko competition and as anything can happen, it's feasible to suggest Sts could win it.

Such a win however would simply underline the fact that RL's most prestigious comp, can be won by the poorest of teams and as such really deserves to have either the format changed, or be scrapped.

I assume the Wigan fan in you is the reason for the "poorest of teams" comment.

Saints have not had the best of seasons so far, but they are far from the standard of Salford, London or Castleford. They are still a pretty decent outfit, as you would know from a couple of Monday's ago.

Agreed that the format needs to be changed though, and I'm sure it will be when the competition restructures in 2015.

Why did it lie in their case, but it does not in ours? Just out of interest.

I think if you are talking betting odds, then Saints are a pretty good bet. Some good risk verse's reward.

If you go each way you can still earn some decent money just for getting to the final.

If you are talking who will win the GF, I would say this year is a bit difficult to predict.

There is a case of everyone beating everyone.

Hull FC are in good form.
Saints are in good form.
Hull KR are in a decent run of form.
Wigan seemed to have stopped being run away winners in recent weeks.
Huddersfield have a good team, but then got battered in the CC which is maybe why not many are tipping them.
Leeds have an amazing record of doing it.
Wire well they are there or there abouts.

I'd say it's easier to pick Catalan as a team not to do it than to pick an outright favourite.

If I as a Saints fan had to pick one place I would not want to go in the playoffs, it would be Leeds.