: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:44 pm  

Damo-Leeds wrote:

Well so far I think we’ve only had one final contested by two teams that did not hold first spot. Surely you can put up the stats from the first grand final (Leeds v Wigan) and up to the modern day of where the grand finalist came from to get to the final. I recon most where reached by first and second.

From memory, Leeds were the first side from the top 2 not to qualify for the grand final in 2003, when it was Bradford V Wigan.

Saints then topped that achievement by becoming the first side to finish top not to qualify in 2005, when it was Bradford V Leeds.

Other than that, I think it's always been the top 2 who have contested the grand final.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:48 pm  

thebloodbath wrote:

I bet Bradford haven't rattled up those kind of scores in games, for a while. I wouldn't be surprised if those were the last times they rattled up 50-70 point specials.

Using the Salford '06 Play Off game as the starting point:

11-03-07..... Bradford 56..... Salford 18
15-04-07..... Bradford 52..... Hull KR 22
30-03-08..... Bradford 50..... Castleford 4

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:51 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Using the Salford '06 Play Off game as the starting point:

11-03-07..... Bradford 56..... Salford 18
15-04-07..... Bradford 52..... Hull KR 22
30-03-08..... Bradford 50..... Castleford 4

I'm keeping you on your toes today.

I wonder if Bulls can score like that away from home?

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:56 pm  

didnt Hull have someone sent off in the first 10-15mins when they got thrashed by Bradford?

Think it was a kiwi/aus who played in the second row / loose forward, name escapes me.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:58 pm  

RossRhino wrote:

didnt Hull have someone sent off in the first 10-15mins when they got thrashed by Bradford?

Think it was a kiwi/aus who played in the second row / loose forward, name escapes me.

Kearney wasn't it

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:59 pm  

leicester_rhino wrote:

Kearney wasn't it

Yes, Stephen Kearney. Was it his last match for them as well?

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:00 pm  

tvoc wrote:

What part have 4 through to 8 played so far and if the answer is not a lot, why will this season be any different?

Personally I think the only two teams that have the potential to in the grand final this year other than Leeds & Saints are Huddersfield and Hull.

If Hull can find that form that got them in their last Grand Final appearance then there a formidable team and a team I really like to watch. Injuries seem to curse that team though.

Huddersfield have just had a head coach that overstayed his stay. But Huddersfield in 07 at the start of the season where just losing games by little points and had one of the best point differences in the league despite been at the bottom of the table.

If both these step up to the plate then yes it will make an interesting top four. But the rest are out of it for me as well although it gives others a chance.

Warrington are going to be rubbish again. Wigan won’t come up with the good at the end of the season and Bradford are on a downward spiral who are dark horses in my mind to not get a SL liesence in 2012 if they keep going how their going.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:01 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

Yes, Stephen Kearney. Was it his last match for them as well?

It was.

I don't suppose it's difficult to remember the referee involved?

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:11 pm  

tvoc wrote:

It was.

I don't suppose it's difficult to remember the referee involved?

Given that it involved a sending off I'd have to hazard a guess at Stevie G.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:18 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

Given that it involved a sending off I'd have to hazard a guess at Stevie G.

It's impossible to claim that as a guess given the circumstances behind the question.

Never shy at being the centre of attention our Stevie.