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.

It didn't lie nor does it in saints case.

Leeds just turned up with belief and the mentality to perform and ignored the fact it was ''un-doable''.

Saints can do the same they just need to believe in themselves like leeds.

That's strange to me as i can't think of any team with a better record at headingley in recent times.

As you say, you can make a case for many teams which is why the playoffs are shaping up to be very intriguing.

Some of the games are going to be neck and neck and it will come down to who can edge a tight close game. Leeds have the recent record but that will count for nothing once the hooter sounds and the other teams charges up the field ready to inflict damage.

It's all down to feelings.

Playing Wigan or Wire away, just seems doable for me.
Huddersfield I just feel will fall under the pressure games.
Leeds in the playoffs are not the same as the regular rounds and that is why Leeds away would be the most difficult for me.
Would rather Wigan knock them down in the first round, to take on Hull FC or Catalan.

They had/have better players and they had got complacent about league fixtures after winning a few grand finals.

Saints are down in that 5th spot because your pack is weak, your halfbacks are ordinary and your backline is heavily reliant on Lomax at fullback (as is ours on Tomkins). Leeds was all down to attitude not a lack of quality in personnel.

Yeah, as a saints fan I can say our attitude has been top notch this year, injury free too.

But I didn't say that was your issue, that was Leeds!

You've been effected by injuries (who hasn't) and for a while it meant your league position was lower then it should have been, I just don't think it is anymore. Yes you have Roby and Soliola to come back and they'll take you up a level but not enough to win the Grand Final. Unless the vast majority of your fans have changed their minds I doubt you believe you can with the pack you have and the halfbacks available to you? I don't see a Peacock or Sinfield in that Saints side.

I may be wrong but I doubt it.

When Saints's pack turns up, there's no problems. They're also 100 times better when Roby's there to marshall them.

Its the halfbacks. There starting to get themselves together, but its been in games where our pack has been on top. Its unlikely that, in a final, we'll manage to outstrip the opposition's pack so comprehensively that our lacking in the halves wont be a deciding factor. Epsecially if we're playing Wire or Leeds.

Plus, everyone knows now that all it takes to disrupt our game plan is to hit GOB late in the tackle and take him out.