Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 7:47 pm  

This Saints team couldn't hold a candle to the Saints side of the late 2010's.

Labouring past a decimated Leeds side 24-12. Yawn.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 7:50 pm  

Bfd_Rhino wrote:

So not THIS team then, the four times winners, that's who Sky are going on about

It’s a joke argument anyway. Context matters. Saints beat a sh*t Salford that couldn’t believe their luck to be in the final, abit like us, got luckier than I’ve ever seen at the end against wigan, Catalans team with no grand final pedigree and then for us see Salford.

My point is it’s not like they’re having to overcome a formidable adversary who’s their match each time. It’s a piece of mickey. It’s not like in football where Man City are winning it each year but they’re setting records and new benchmarks (100+ points etc). It’s almost like musical chairs and it’s fallen that saints are basically the only top team left standing who haven’t been poop / in disarray. Their fans will think they’re some kind of seminal team and the record books will show what they’ll show but they won’t be remembered as such because they’re just vanilla, but one that’s better than everyone else who is unflavoured. There’s nothing memorable in a wider context, just an efficient team doing efficient things. And that’s all it takes to win our competition now. That’s my frustration. It’s a levelling down. Best of a bad bunch. I’ll no doubt get slaughtered.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:08 pm  

FlexWheeler wrote:

It’s a joke argument anyway. Context matters. Saints beat a sh*t Salford that couldn’t believe their luck to be in the final, abit like us, got luckier than I’ve ever seen at the end against wigan, Catalans team with no grand final pedigree and then for us see Salford.

My point is it’s not like they’re having to overcome a formidable adversary who’s their match each time. It’s a piece of mickey. It’s not like in football where Man City are winning it each year but they’re setting records and new benchmarks (100+ points etc). It’s almost like musical chairs and it’s fallen that saints are basically the only top team left standing who haven’t been poop / in disarray. Their fans will think they’re some kind of seminal team and the record books will show what they’ll show but they won’t be remembered as such because they’re just vanilla, but one that’s better than everyone else who is unflavoured. There’s nothing memorable in a wider context, just an efficient team doing efficient things. And that’s all it takes to win our competition now. That’s my frustration. It’s a levelling down. Best of a bad bunch. I’ll no doubt get slaughtered.

Maybe just pack it then. It's obvious you no longer have any time for the sport.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:10 pm  

Even the 2006 team only had to get past Hull in the GF.

This year we did them a massive favour by putting Wigan out, who looked to have the better of them in the regular season

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:17 pm  

A valiant effort by Leeds. At least they stuck at it for the 80. Saints are the better side if I’m been honest although the ref was poor on the offsides today. I was disappointed in that aspect. A few decisions went against us but overall they tried. If we had been offered a spot in the grand final 4 months ago I would have taken it as I didn’t see it. Just need to recruit a few players now.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:21 pm  

Fair play to Saints. Started fast and stayed relentless. Definitely light at the end of the tunnel for Leeds though. Stuck at it and played some good rugby in patches. Really missed Sezer's kicking game as well as the cutting edge the likes of Newman and Fusitua would have provided, but never gave in. We've come a long, long way in a few months. Really looking forward to see what Rohan can do with a full pre-season and some new blood. Onwards and upwards.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:23 pm  

Just to add. I thought Cameron Smith was poor tonight. Looked slow and lacked invention. Think it would have been a lot closer or even a win with Newman, Fusi and Sezer playing. We just lacked a bit of grunt. Thought Bentley went well. A pretty clean game overall.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:37 pm  

9 grand final wins, 1 championship, 14 Grand Final appearances overall, 10 LLS, 8 Challenge Cups in 26 years

Leeds don't come close

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:44 pm  

Best team won against a gritty but disorganised attacking performance by Leeds.
Lack of size up front and no creativity didn`t help.
Leeming in the halves to start and Smith at 13 for me would have been a better option and I think Smith eluded to it at the end.
One thing I did notice is that the only Saints player who mentioned how well Leeds played was Makinson.
Top bloke who was one of only 2 players who applauded the Southstand before it closed to a new stand.
Very gracious unlike the coach and other players if I remember rightly.
Time to reflect get some new players in and let`s see what happens next year.

Re: SL GF | St Helens (Old Trafford) : Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:47 pm  

Rommel wrote:

9 grand final wins, 1 championship, 14 Grand Final appearances overall, 10 LLS, 8 Challenge Cups in 26 years

Leeds don't come close