Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere - haven't seen it anywhere, but sorry if I've missed it....

I gained a lot more respect for Long as a result of his interview after the final whistle - could easily have had a moan, but took the defeat on the chin, and acknowledged that, regardless of the onside/offside decision the result came down to Leeds taking their chances, and Saints not doing.

Meanwhile, from what I can remember, Cunningham was one of the first, if not THE first of the Saints players to congratulate the Leeds players. Given the recent bad blood between the two sides, and the fact that there's every possibility that this was the last appearance in a Grand Final for each of them (depending on Hull performing miracles next year, and Cunningham's body holding up for another year / Saints making it back to old Trafford again), I thought that this was a top, professional reaction from both players - fair play to them both!

KC is a top professional, i think he is always one of the first to go and shake the hands of the opposition players, last night was no different.

I have to agree with you.

We said the exact same thing about Long regarding his after match interview. A lot has been said about Long in recent weeks and whether you like him or not I thought his interview was that of an exemplary sportsman following a huge disappointment.

Long did very well not to be sucked into the debate about the last try when questioned by Bill Athur and left it to the sky muppets to whip up their usual hysteria about nothing. He could have had a whinge (ala Bradford Dulls in 2002) but he didn't.

Cunningham I expect to react well - look at his comments after the game at Headingley recently - but Long's came across very well.

Graham could learn (and hopefully will) a lot from those two. Cunningham in particular is just a great pro.

I was also pleased to not several of the Leeds players, led by JJB, made a point of going to a distraught Graham at the end and shaking his hand.

They are both great players. It's just sad that everyone seems to think Long has retired from competitive rugby. He's joined Hull.

Oh, hang on a minute......

Never noticed that. That's good that they can do that. At the end of the day, he's a young lad with a lot to learn, who just loves playing for his local club, and his emotions get the better of him. With experience he will learn to handle these situations better.

he did, brilliant interview, sounded like he loved it and just wanted some more.

I would like to congratulate the players of both sides. Towards the end of the game, it was getting a bit tense and thought that the rivalry may have spilled over after the hooter but fair play to them all.

I just hope that the rift may thaw and get together to concentrate on the internationals coming up.

Cunningham went straight to Sinfield after the game and actually gave him a large embrace and did similar with a number of Leeds players.

As has been said, his words after the game at Headingley were excellent and his actions after last nights game were the same.

Long's also came across well in his interview and he must have been gutted with it being the end of his Saints career.

The rivalry is just a few personal grudges. Lee Smith and his girlfriend Lee Gilmour won't be an issue anymore and Graham and Jjb seem to have made up as well as they man snuggled together at the end of the game.

I think there is still a disliking between Graham and Bailey but Ryan spends so little time on the field that bar the odd tackle they will barely meet in games anyway.

I think Lee Smith and Lee Gilmour and their mouths played a large part in starting the hand bags at times.

As for op Keiron Cunningham is the most honest pro you will meet, very similar to Peacock and Sinfield for Leeds whose conduct you can't help but admire.

KC goes round every player every week after the games and shakes there hands no matter what score it was or what went on in the game.

He's a great honest hard working bloke.

Believe it or not but longy might be a idiot off the pitch with the things he gets up to but you'd never see him storm off without the shake of hands after the hooter.

Well done to rhinos on your 3rd straight grand final win.