grand final winners, challenge cup winners, the double, well done to the mighty reds.

Reds???
Thought Salford weren't winning it until next season?

Beat all three of the top 3 in the play offs. Credit to them, will earned title

What he said!

The difference is Wigan showed in the first half of the season they were capable of finishing top if they chose to do so, they simply decided not to. Leeds on the other hand are only capable of turning up for three or four games.

HTH



Seriously though what is the opinion on Leeds finishing position and challenge cup record since 2004. Is it that they figured out there was no need to finish top or the way they train throughout the season or something to do with the world club challenge? It just seems odd that they are so adept at winning in the playoffs but not at wembley or especially consistently throughout the season.

Wigan simply adopted the same policy Leeds have adopted in previous seasons but they made it to 4th rather than 5th.

Blindingly obvious wasn't it?

They were 1st with room to spare two-thirds of the way through the season and then suddenly realised... this doesn't work... why are we expending energy being top of the league? Have we learn't nothing from what happened last year and the way Leeds do things?

Cue a truckload of rested players, alleged injuries, the academy side being selected at Widnes and at home to Hull KR and the hit-out against Leeds in order to ensure 4th and the easier path away at Huddersfield followed by a week off.

My only surprise is that Leeds forgot the script. Perhaps they had too much time on their hands and not a lot of excuses for finishing 5th again given their early exit from the CC.

Sort of agree, my only disagreement is that I don't think the top teams care when they finish.

I think the top teams used to care, but not quite so much since the Top 8 was introduced. The benefits applied to the higher placed finishers no longer apply to the same degree they once did under the Top 5 or Top 6 system. Leeds two 5th placed titles in 2011 and 2012 merely reinforced the meaningless nature of the regular season to the degree that all the top clubs no longer give a toss about their regular season placement, and in some cases it's deemed advantageous to finish in a lower position on purpose.

League leader's shield when other teams not really trying - poisoned chalice
Grand Final winners from 4th/5th - poisoned chalice

Sydney Roosters, top of the ladder and GF winners - no problem

Win it from first in the table and shut the other feckers up!!

What we need to aim for . . . . . . .

Yes, after the successful "you can't win from 4th" line we've heard for the last 2 years, next year's line will be you can't win the GF if you finish 1st and get the LLS.

At least it will be for those with short memories who don't remember Leeds 2009 & Wigan 2010.