If there was any doubt you just need to quote Kevin sinfield.
"Saints are a champion side".
Never a hint of irony. Never rubbing it in. From the heart. And if he believes that, then we should too!

Are they ?

I think not..

Up until this year Saints have been the best team for the last 4 years but only been able to win the Grand Final once
Leeds this year have deserved to be called the true champions having finished top

Are Leeds better than Saints this year Yip

Smith's try could've easily gone against us as the VR does sometimes get the calls wrong.

From that penalty (and only being a point down) Saints could've gone on to win the game. Its been as close as that all season - We just got the rub of the green and ended up champions



For the 3rd year running

OK whos hacked Rommel?

At the beginning of the year ALL teams in SL are aware that the season shall consist of regular rounds, then a play off series cumulating in a Grand Final.

Winning the LLT as the highest points scorer does not necessarily mean that you are the best side. It may well be that another team has tactically rested players, rotated squads and used certain matches as training drills throughout the year with an aim to raising the intensity and fitness of the players to peak for the play off series and then all things being equal the GF.

If a team finishes 8th but has been doing exactly that then in the (unlikely) event that they won the GF then I would still support the view that they are the best team in the country.

Saints knew the process. They took the game, they took the risks, they were weighed, measured and they were found wanting, 3 times. It's irrefutable proof. The first may be coincidence, the second happenstance, but the thrid, well that's a pattern, a group, a clutch. Almost a habit I'd say.

And the 2 years that they've won the Grand Final from 1st they broke the salary cap to do so.

And will they give their 1999 & 2000 titles to Bradford and Wigan?

Leeds have been the best side for the last 3 years end of.

Leeds have been the most consistent side in 2009, whilst Saints were that in 2007 & 8.

The best side in the competition is the one who wins the Grand final, no ifs or buts.

That's what I said so not sure the point of quoting me in your response?

Leeds have been the best team for the last 3 years irrespective of league positions. The GF winner is always the best team because that's what everyone targets at the start of the season (bar Wigan - they just want to get to semi-finals)

I think we are a little more equal. 2007+08 we were only 1 point behind the Saints and four ahead this year. If you look at how the teams played, I don't think you can seperate them, although the pendulum has swung towards us this year.

Saints have won the leaders shield twice and the challenge cup twice, we have been champions three times, won the shield once and the WCC once in the same period.

In a funny kind of way it's like England winning the ashes, if you look at the stats, Australia more than matched England. However England won the Ashes because the right calls were made at the right times. We have done something similair as we have played the big moments and won the prizes. Champions are made because the big plays were made at the right times; look at our kicking game-it seems to improve beyond recognition when we play in the GF.