Eastmond's (mildly controversial) opener wasn't bad.

It wasn't a particularly good game though.

I've voted for 2004 simply because it was the first time we'd won and it was close. I'd have been gutted had we blown everyone away in the league like we had done then not won the big prize.
The one I enjoyed the most was 2007. It started off close but you could feel the momentum building then when we forced the error prior to Ali's try I knew we'd win then. The next 5 mins or so were awesome. The Ali try, followed up immediately by Donald's try followed straight away by a Burrow drop goal. It went from 8-6 to 19-6 in 3 sets. Brilliant.
2009 was when it dawned upon me I was watching something special.
2011 & 12 were great because virtually everyone had written us off, beating the likes of Wire, Wigan & Catalans away were special moments too.

As a game yeah it wasn't pretty but as Peacock described it afterwards ''it was a real war of attrition out there'', similar to the Wigan playoff game this year, not pretty but just a gutcheck about getting the job done and who wanted it most. Most nervous I felt in the closing stages of any of them too (even in 2011 after it went 16-8 down with only 20 to go I remember thinking we'd still pull it off it we get more of the remaining possession). Plus teams can win GF's once (Wigan in 2010), some even twice in a row (Saints '99 '00) but doing three-in-a-row set that squad apart as something special.

Watching it back Lee Smith had a great game in defence, rushing out to stop Pryce, twice putting hits on Graham and great kick chases one that led to Meli fumbling one prior to the clinching try. He also tried a little chip over the defence in his own half as the half-time hooter sounded which he very almost collected, if he did Webb was on his shoulder for a stroll in which would of been one of best GF tries. For me he was MOM which is ironic because watching both back I think Sinfield should of won it in 2008. (In fact my abiding memory of the 2008 GF is meeting Lee Smith in town 3 weeks before and never seeing ANYBODY that drunk in my whole life, how he went from unable to stand to Harry Sunderland is amazing.)

It was after that one in 2009 that I felt we really have become unbeatable at Old Trafford and thereafter led to the atmosphere heading into '11 and '12 when we had no right to win but yet I felt that we simply wouldn't or couldn't lose.

But as I said i'd pick 2007, can't think of a better 40 mins of rugby in a major final. It was pretty even at half-time and no evidence of either team running away with it and then suddenly like someone flipped a switched we steamed to victory, and I as I mentioned in the OP, Saints just didn't lose finals back then.

2007. I guess some of us must have been thinking 2004 was the "one off" and Leeds were going to slip back into their usual pattern. The way we took Saints apart was awesome, but was really set up by the bruising we gave them (while losing) in the earlier final eliminator.

Memories of 2008 were good, I was on a flight to Japan on the Saturday so didn't see the score until I arrived at Narita Airport and turned my phone on. I gave the people in the immigration queue a bit of a fright.
Also, I remember a certain Mr AP giving the Stains fans a serious butt wiping - tremendous stuff from the once great man.

Strangely, that may well be my favourite ever Leeds match. Certainly up there. Probably the highest quality match I've seen us play in. The tension in the ground was incredible and some of the tackling was wince-inducing even from behind the posts.

2004

2004 Had the edge for me Oh and we beat the bulls too

was it 2008 we were pretty much written off beforehand? everyones been brilliant for various reasons but 08 for me

2004. Had waited for so, so long and suffered so much.

The last one is always the best one for me. The more that other teams and supporters hate Leeds it just makes victory that much sweeter. The number of people admitted to mental institutions in Rugby League areas will go through the roof if Leeds are crowned champions again next year.

I am inclined to agree.I just took a peep on you know who's board,first time for ages.One poster said if we had won SL/GF under Noble we would not have deserved it,just like Leeds in 2012.He is right,but his team at that period had more chance of getting struck by lightening,not in the same league as this desrving Leeds team.Yes 2012 for me too.I would LUV it if we did it again in 13

Can't pick one out, every single one is special in it's own way.

04 was so special for obvious reasons but the best display imo was 07 we were sublime that day and "whoop whoop Wilkin" didn't know what had hit him or his team!!

2007 was good - the second half we were so dominant it was untrue - but my favourite was 2011 because it was the only one I really didn't think we'd win.

watched the 07 dvd last night. dave woods in commentary said near the end "the look on the saints players faces is disbelief. they are actually losing a final".

they got used to that in the next few years