It will be interesting to see if his stats back that up - when the SL website is updated.

I think Worrall appeared on 64 minutes (same time as Watkins for Webb) so he played the final 16 minutes.

Will people never learn? We were "supposed" to beat the Bulls by 40+ last time around - didn't quite work out that way did it? If we were top of the league with a 100% record, and Bradford were bottom with a 100% losing record I'd still be apprehensive ahead of the game - simply because it's Bradford and local rivalry can often drive a side to overachieving - especially when they're coming off the back of losing 4 out of 4 in a season against us. Every time I see someone confiently predict that we'll stuff Bradford I cringe - tempting fate if you ask me!

Having said that, we should have too much for them, but it totally depends on which Leeds team turns up - the way the past couple of months has gone that's becoming harder and harder to predict - everytime I think we've turned a corner and are going to kick on, we fall over again, then every time I look at a fixture and think "we could be in trouble here" (Saturday being a perfect example) they surprise me yet again. From all accounts Bradford went ok against Saints in patches yesterday, but couldn't cope with the impact of Saints' far superior bench. Given the lack of options Bradford seem to have outside their first choice 13 this could hopefully be the case again on Friday - especially if Morrison and Rinaldi are struggling with injuries. Leeds should win, but I wouldn't put money on it!!

I agree, anything can happen on Friday. But i do feel as though Leeds learnt a harsh lesson last time out and revenge is on the agenda big time.

UTU

Tsk tsk young Hyper, lets have no more of this trembling bottom lip, big girl's blouse school of defeatist thought.

It's Bradford Bulls FFS! and I confidently predict we're 4 tries better than this tired bunch.

Beg, steal or borrow as much cash as you can, add it to your pocket money and put the lot on the Rhinos.

Believe in Garry!.....fate has nowt to do with it!

He certainly did a good job of getting run over by Tony Clubb thereby being out of position for Randall's try, that's for sure...

Is it though, really? Do Leeds want or need this win as much as Bradford do? Whilst I can't agree with Leeds' approach to certain games at times, part of me can't really blame them... face it - we've been nowhere near our best for the majority of this season, yet we still find ourselves in 2nd, and no matter what the teams just below us do, you get the impresion that by hook or by crook Leeds will do what they need to to ensure they finish 2nd. As we've shown over the past 2 years, doing this rather than busting a gut to try finish top hasn't prevented us becoming champions, so why should it this year. Do the squad have the mentality of "let's get through the season, make sure we finish no lower than 2nd, then turn it on for the eliminator / grand final, just like we've done for the past 2 years"? (for the record, I would hope they don't, as all it takes is a couple of top drawer performances against us in the play offs and we're gone)

Contrast this with Bradford - down where they are they need as many league points as possible - if they can put one over on Leeds in the process than all the better. Who's going to want / need the win more on Friday??

I know what your saying but did you see the Bradford fans laughing and jeering our boys as they left the pitch at Odsal? That would have hurt big time. The likes of JJB, Peacock, McGuire, Sinfield (The local - Leeds at heart boys) would have been hurt and embarrassed.

Before the Quins game at the weekend Buderus revealed that the lads wanted to go out and show Quins what there all about. They felt like they had a huge point to prove to Quins, and they went out and did the business.

They will have the same mentality on Friday - Points are to be proven.

Because there is a new play off system in place where the top qualifier gets to choose their opponents in the semi final.



Peacock certainly did the same in the rlYEPrl.

Will that really change anything though? If Saints finish top and we finish 2nd, can Saints pick from all 3 remaining teams, or is it just the lowest finsihing 2 they get to pick between? If it's the former, do you think they'd pick Leeds? I suppose it'll be interesting to see how things pan out - would still be surprised if it was anything other than a Saints Leeds final though

I don't know how the pick will operate and there's time for the RFL to change their mind to manufacture the final they want anyway but St Helens have a recent history of winning the qualifyer but not the Grand Final in similar circumstances.

What would you do if you were them. Take Leeds out in the semi at home or risk meeting them in the Grand Final for a third year running?

Right, according to the breakdown I've just read, If Saints and Leeds both win in the first round of playoffs, assuming Saints finish top and we finish 2nd, then no matter what they will be kept apart in the final round of play offs prior to the Grand Final. The only advantage Saints have is that they would get to pick their opponents from the other 2 teams remaining (is this really an advantage though? It's going to make for an easy team talk for the coach of the team they pick - i.e. "they think we're the easy option lads"icon_wink.gif.

So, to follow up my point earlier, all Leeds have to do is amble their way through the season as they are currently doing,win their games in the first and third round of play offs (bearing in mind that their first play off match will not be against Saints,as it has been in previous years, it will be against the 3rd placed team) and they will be in the Grand Final - against Saints more than likely. The only difference between this and other seasons is that if they lose their first playoff match (as they have done for the past couple of years) they could face being knocked out by Saints in the eliminator - IF Saints choose to play them.

Taking the current table as it stands (yeah, irrelevant I know, but....)

Saints
Leeds
Hull K R
Huddersfield
Harlequins
Wakefield
Warrington
Hull

We'd have Hull K R at home first up. Beat them and we get week 2 off. If the two losers in week 1 go on to win their elimination matches in week 2, Saints have a choice of Hull K R or Huddersfield (assuming Saints win their first match). We play the other - win and we're in the Grand Final. Wouldn't be too much of a stretch for the mentality of "2 big games in the play offs against the likes of Huddersfield and Hull K R, and another big game against Saints and we win the Grand Final" would it??

Damn good question - to be honest, I'd be inclined to have a crack at Leeds on the basis that they'd be harder to beat at a neutral venue in the final than at home in the semi. Would be a hell of a risk though, because Leeds would not have the safety net of a further match at home if they lost, so would have to play the game like it was a final. One gets the feeling that the powers that be would strongly attempt to dissuade Saints from going down such a route though.......

What and see us win it for the third time?
The powers that be would if they could hope Leeds do not win it again.

I could have looked for myself but reading all that I'm glad you looked instead.

Can I just say I agree that the selecting opposition part of the new system is a poisoned chalice for the league leaders (if they win in week one) for the reason you gave.

Top two finish is still the best place to be then. It will be interesting if Leeds were to finish three or four.