For me the key difference between Saints and Leeds in those three finals (well, maybe just the second and third ones) was that Leeds, under the guidance of Kevin Sinfield, responded with a great deal more composure to both the occasion and the conditions. They played a good territorial game, often kicking early in the tackle count, while we tried to do things out of the ordinary.

I'm not sure Leeds will be as cool headed this time round. They have been playing pretty harum scarum stuff all year and they have a very young and excitable backline. It's been working for them lately, but I'm not sure it's the right approach for a final. I think if Gaskell copes with the pressure and provides a good kicking game we'll be able to grind them down with our big pack and force mistakes out of them. You never quite know what's going to happen in a final, though; teams do strange things.

Indeed. I still can't see us winning. Probably a good thing that though.

I just hope we give it everything. No stupid individual errors, no stupid tries from kicks. If we go there, give it everything and lose, fine.

The big key for me: Meli is no longer on the wing. If Makinson and Foster can have good games, that's a big piece of their armour negated there.

I'd be tempted to rest him altogether. There must be mental scarring.

As stated rlhererl, Leeds are worthy opponents but we have nothing to fear. Previous Grand Finals matter not a bit and the Leeds players would be foolish to think it does. McDermott certainly won't be allowing that sort of complacency to enter into his player's minds and likewise we should not start looking for excuses already as to why we might not win. I just hope it's an epic.

Personally I hope it's not. I want 70-0 if possible. Nothing worse than Grand Final closeness and I've had more than enough dejection. A nice comfortable stroll would be just fine thanks.

Still get the feeling we'll capitulate despite not having any evidence of that.

It could either result in a play which wins them the grand final, or loses them the grand final.

Like the game, it could go either way.

Saints will go into the game with the pressure of having lost the last 4 grand finals, and on account of their higher league placing and performances against leeds this season, they will also go into the game as favourites., despite having an arguably more inexperienced team.

Saints have nothing to fear from leeds, but then leeds have nothing to fear from saints. They've beaten saints teams at old trafford with the likes of pryce, long, cunningham et al in the team and although the new breed of lomax gaskell will pose their own threats leeds should feel confident as should saints.

Aye, I wouldn't really argue with any of that.

I'm a Leeds fan, it's going to be a very tough game, it could go either way realy, two great teams, I am sure it will be a great final either way.

It would be nice to see James Graham leave Saints with a winners medal, he's been a great player for you guys.

All you can do as a team is go to OT, give your all and that's all you can do.

The way this year has gone, I won't be making any predictions as both teams are as good as each other, it'll maybe come down to an error, a bit of luck, a piece of individual brilliance etc, whatever happens, have a great day and good luck

We [ishould[/i win if we turn up, but unfortunately we have a very good track record of not doing that... We're better than them [ion paper[/i in most areas of the pitch, but the pressure will most definitely be all on us rather than them so that advantage is basically negated...

I'm not looking forward to the drive down the M1/M6 listening to gleefull match reports on 5 live every 30 minutes yet again if we do lose...

weather could be a big factor .Just hope its dry as I remember the 2008(?) loss when we couldn't handle the conditions

Forecast up to now is dry on Saturday, just looked at the pressure charts on te MET office. If this is the case, it'll be a day for good entertaining rugby

Leeds this year have actually reminded me of Warrington, last year.
They look very strong and can play some entertaining stuff, but on the days when the defence holds up against them they get frustrated, seem desperate to offload and throw wild passes all over, getting them into difficulty.