Joking and banter aside it is the emotion amongst fans and players that make our game so special.

Congratulations to St Helens.

From our point of view (or perhaps mine as I know some don't care about the Shield), its frustrating as we really should have had it wrapped up with around 8 games to go. Then came some shocking performances against Wakefield, Bradford, Hull KR and Widnes and you can't flop so badly against the lower sides and expect to finish top.

Next year its probably more important to finish top after the initial 23 games than it is after the Super 8's. Finishing top then ensures more home games as well as home games against the teams higher up the table.

I like the new structure but would have preferred a different format for the top 4 playoff at the end: 1 v 2, winner goes to OT, loser plays winner of 3v4 for remaining place.

And it's the format that brings about these pipe dreams from clubs like Huddersfiejd and Saints that a few meaningless regular round wins means they're better then the likes of Leeds and Warrington. You've played one meaningful game against a really top side all year in the challenge cup against Leeds and you got beat.

Unlike Huddersfield last year you guys will be able to use the 'we've got injuries' comfort blanket when you limp out of the play offs.

By many saints fans own admission, you won't win the GF now apparently due to injuries, hence the sudden desire amongst many of your mob to win the LLS. But you've just provided examples of when you have beaten your rivals without these players. So when/if you limp out of the playoffs, you can't use injuries as an excuse. Whether walsh/lomax et al were fit or not, you won't the GF this year because you have a soft underbelly.

It was a good result for saints not because it gave them the LLS, but because it gave them a home tie against a inexperienced knackered looking Cas team. Against anyone else they'd be losing and going out of the playoffs the week after. But this, this gives them hope. That means that saints will be one home game away from a grand final.

Just close enough to get saints fans dreaming and mouthy again, but just far enough to create dissapointment when falling short.

God help you guys if you get through the semi and wind up at old trafford again.

Yawn yawn yawn.

So for Saints fans is it no longer the hubcap?

Shaun Wane says that Wigan tried to win the LLS, and yet so many posters on here are convinced that Wigan didn't really try.

I'm also struggling to remember when SW has rested players. Apart from Matty Bowen who has dodgy knees and couldn't play every game, I can't recall the team not being picked on merit. We have had a shed load of injuries to contend with but I don't recall SW resting anyone in particular. I think he has (Bowen excepted) put out the strongest team barring injuries.

I wish I'd known that we weren't going to be trying to win, as some posters would have it, before I paid out to go to Wakefield, Bradford, Hull KR and Widnes. Mind you with my no doubt untrained eyes, It certainly LOOKED like we were trying...we just weren't good enough.

Saints have been the best of a bad lot. But they HAVE been the best. Better than us over the season. However, contrast the standard from this season with 2010 when Madge's team won the LLS. I certainly remember some celebrations then and we were more than happy to win the 'hub cap'. So let's not try to rubbish Saints achievement, because I for one wanted to win the LLS.

Wigan coach reveals that he his not really bothered about winning LLS, and just wants to be in a good postion for playoffs.......

Do you really think anybody is going SAY that?

The standards in RL are dropping like a brick, but if you are happy with the standard, And your teams hollow victory great... Congrats to Stains... No doubt it will be back to being "The hubcap" next year if someone else wins it.

You're talking to a Wigan fan there aren't you?

I think you are a bit confused. Saints aren't my team.

If you read the rest of my post ~I argue that standards are indeed dropping, contrasting with our 2010 victory in the very same LLS - which I recall was well and truly celebrated at the time.

However Saints are the best in a very poor competition. But if they are the worst winners of a LLS what does that make us who came second?

I think 7th and 8th are fairly strong this season.

My mistake, misread it, was scanning as i ate a butty... soz

So you've done even worse than us losing your only meaningful game at home to Castleford then?