There are so many variables that it is highly possible that Saints will end up with club call and pair Wigan and Leeds in the semi final and by doing so could easily end up in the final themselves.

Finals can then come down to strategy and tactics. CC final a great example. Picking the right tactics for the way the team is composed can then win the game against whatever odds the bookmakers want to place.
The next two weeks will show if Saints have found a way to win games without halfbacks, or if the last two games were just fluckes

It's just my opinion. We were atrocious in the first 40. We were lucky to go in 8 (?) points down. Sinfield's game management (in my opinion) would have nullified us second half, as he did in the cup final. Mark Percival might have kicked the goal that Turner missed so we can call it 18.

There's been no real stand out team this year. All the top 6 will fancy it, and they can all beat one another when the cards fall right.

I find it hard to see Saints winning enough games in the play-offs with makeshift halfbacks. I'm not ruling it out, and they can still beat anyone. But can they win a succession of big games with that injury list? Time will tell.

Cas have to learn from their Wembley disappointment. If they do that, then why not?

Wigan fans don't seem convinced. They didn't last year either...

Hudds and Wire have yet to convince me that they're ready to win the really big play-off games. But with so little between the top 6, now would be a good time to do it.

Leeds know how to win the big games. 6th would be a lot to ask of themselves when the 5 teams above us look good. But 6th and 5th aren't much different in this play-off format and it's been done before. I still wonder what difference to the draw those 4 unnecessary dropped points before the semi and final might have made.

You might say the standard has dropped this year but I don't think there is anything separating the top 6 anyone could win it. Think saints with no HB will struggle to win a succession of big games, but adversity can benifit them so who knows. I would guess at one of Leeds/Wigan being in the final as they both seem to be able to perform in knockout rugby. But who knows. More chilled out than usual about it with the trophy we already have, hopefully the players don't feel the same

Don,t forget Saints have the best home record in Superleague this year and have done the double against a few of the top teams this year.
Although we have lost playmakers in Walsh, Wheeler, Wilikin and Lomax they are adapting to a different way of playing and come the play offs we will have negated the loss of these players.
Superleague quality is poor this season so I don,t think you can eradicate anyone out of the top 6.

Spot on. Everyone in the six can be as ordinary/avearge/ok as each other.