I have had a couple of questions floating round in my head and don't want to start separate threads. However, if this gets out of control and they have to be separated, so be it. (if these have been answered this week, I apologise.)

Firstly, what are people's thoughts on the McGuire incident at the Catalans match and his subsequent punishment? There has already been a change of opinions amongst many (from 'it was horrible' during the match to 'he should get away with it' when Leeds vs Wigan was announced) and I was wondering whether people have changed their opinions again.

Secondly, as I can almost feel the buzz and excitement in Warrington town already. Has there been a transformation of opinions of fans towards the League Leaders shield? For Wigan it is all they have this year, some thing many have dismissed and one poster quoted Bluey, saying it was 'the lid to the real cup', while Warrington and Leeds get a shot at what everyone was saying we needed to win last year. Is the Grand final still the most important match of the year and should it crown Super League champions or is a league structure the way forward?

Third and finally, I would like to address this question to everyone who is reading this, but more specifically Albion; not in a trolling way, do you still think that Saints are recovering and on the incline, or are they, in fact, still very much in decline? Another season without a trophy and this year not even a final appearance, the hoodoo is long buried (and Saints are looking as weak against Warrington as the reverse ten years ago) and, what many may consider, a drought of world class players, expertise and tactics (oh and Northampton Saint is dead wrong, Saints' pack is demonstrably not the best in the league)

Thank you

It still is financially.... clubs gain much more revenue from winning the challenge cup then they do from winning the GF.

You can also argue that winning the challenge cup gains your club more supporters and countrywide recognition. I know people in London that don't even know what the grand final is... However, they do know what the challenge cup final is and they know that warrington 'keep winning it'.. Does this also not make the Challenge cup the more prestigious event?

Saints are not in decline in terms of results but more in terms of performance and entertainment.

Minor point, but in your signature you ref the SL Leaders Shield, but not the old League Leaders shield (Championship) from 72/3. You might want to add in-but save til Saturday night and kill two birds with one edit

And go back a few more years and the vast majority of Champions in RL history have been decided by playoffs and a final - just like we did in 1955. It is not, despite popular myth, an idea dreamt up by Sky.



The premiership was top 8.

What about further back, when the team that won the playoffs and Championship final were Champions, like we did in 1955?