Actually the comparison would be valid, as the NRL proclaim their Grand Final winners champions, just as we do, after a playoff series.

It would be valid as the last two Champions of the NRL weren't the minor premiers.

It would be valid as the minor premiers have failed to make the Grand Final four times since 1999.

The Australians are not insular luddites and have no issues whatsoever with recognising the true champions from the minor premiers. Perhaps it's why our sport thrives down under and struggles over here.

Yet if you add together all the points both teams have amassed from 04'-09' saints are 4 in front

That's it.......2 league games in 6 seasons

There are some very sour grapes on this thread.

Leeds were also SL champions in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012 as well as the other two titles you mention. Check the record books. No matter how much moaning or sour grapes you have.
All the teams know the rules and know that you have to get to and win a grand final to be champions. In distance track running u rarely see the actual winner lead from start to finish. Nor would you expect the bloke who bombs off fast and is leading with a lap to go, but finishes 3rd to be called the champion. All teams are aware of the playoffs and it does add interest and intensity to the end of the year.

Regarding greatest of all time not sure, hard to compare really but achieving 5 titles in the last 6 years is a massive achievement and its a shame that some bitter people cannot acknowlage that fact

Meh! It's a cheap shot because they can't stand the fact we've dominated the sport with the backbone of homegrown talent in an era where the playing field has been made more even and without resorting to the nefarious means most of our nearest competitors have. It sticks in their craw and long may it continue!

Oh, I believe that Leeds are also the only team to have won the GF without breaching the salary cap at some point in their history.

Its all opinion, but answering the original question, Leeds are undoubtedly the best side of the play-off era, but for greatest side ever, they are nowhere near as impressive as the Wigan side of the early 90's era.

They were that good that the game had to be restructured to its latest guise in order to stop them killing the sport because of their dominance.....Also the only side to win a true World Challenge and not a pre season run out for the Aussie side, they went to Oz midway through THEIR season and came away with a win.

Massive respect to Leeds for their ability to 'manage' their squad and their season, but for true invincibility and season long dominance, that Wigan side are a few rungs above them.

That Wigan team was a great team, but the fact that they didn't operate in a salary cap era has to count against them. For Leeds to have been as consistent as they have in the last 7/8 years in a salary cap era (and without any breaches) is astonishing.

Yes, this Leeds side has proved itself an impressive one in the salary-capped, play off era, but I was answering the initial question of this thread and this Leeds side (and any other in this era), would not have stopped that Wigan side.....Admittedly, that Wigan side would have smashed any salary cap, but that was not the point of the question???

The Wigan side was unbelievable and a real watershed for our sport. However, the level playing field we now have under the salary cap must be taken into account if we're going to do a theoretical comparison of the two sides. They were legendary Wigan teams but they were full time professionals playing part timers, apart from Leeds who were professional in name only in those later years .

Having said that, Wigan's WCC in Aus is still a remarkable feat yet to be bettered. Leeds have offered to play the game in Australia the last few years but for various reasons, the Aussies aren't interested. As a Leeds fan I'd love us to tale them on down under.

You really cannot fairly compare teams from different eras. Take the great Wigan team, the would get smashed by todays Leeds team, due to advances in sport science even over that relatively short time, but they were a great team. The game is one of skill and physical prowess and any comparison of eras can only look at half the game (skill) as the more modern era will win the physical comparison every time.

Leeds are clearly the greatest of the current era and like all great teams their mental resolve is outstanding

Quote: Buggo "] When was there a realistic offer made to Australian clubs? This is a Leeds Myth as I can not see any press where Australian Clubs have been offered the game and turned it down. If Leeds offered to play the Storm three weeks into the NRL season on a Wednesday night I am sure they would accept.'" ""For next year the plan was to play it in England but it could be subject to change if the NRL wish to stage it. We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court." www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... an-England

Quote: Buggo "] When was there a realistic offer made to Australian clubs? This is a Leeds Myth as I can not see any press where Australian Clubs have been offered the game and turned it down. If Leeds offered to play the Storm three weeks into the NRL season on a Wednesday night I am sure they would accept.'" ""For next year the plan was to play it in England but it could be subject to change if the NRL wish to stage it. We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court." www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... an-England

You've been given a direct quote from the Leeds CEO that says "We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court"

Aside from your asinine ramblings do you have any direct quotes to refute his clear intentions? Perhaps something to substantiate the made up quotes you've attributed to Bellamy?

FWIW, the Aussies are not interested in staging it because it wouldn't garner the same interest or make the same amount of money down under. Fair enough, but don't dress that up as Leeds being unwilling to play it down under. Leeds have shown willingness to do so.

On a tangent, maybe it's always over here after the trouble Wigan had getting money out of Brisbane following their historic win?

rlLeeds owner Gary Hetherington has expressed a desire to play in Australiarl
This was after the 2011 GF and the build up to the 2012 WCC.

rlThe Rhinos were hoping to play the challenge in Australia but there was not enough time to set it up.rl