I don't buy this one man team stuff - aside from the fact that it's virtually impossible in RL for one man to win a game, Salford are way more rounded than just Hastings; Bibby, Jones, Inu and Evalds for example, would improve most teams in SL, with perhaps the exception of Saints.

I give them full credit - they've been through real adversity since Koukash did his level best to ruin them, and appear to have become stronger for it; with Ian Watson proving to be an exceptional manager of men, and tactics.

They'll be in the $4it next year of course, when most of the above named will indeed be improving other SL teams - but up to and including Saturday night, I'm a fan; I'd love to see them win the GF.

What I don't get is why have all these stars bailed out?

Don’t think even they were expecting to be in the grand final.

Well it seems like a lot on here aren't surprised.

I had them as my dark horses at the start of the season, but was thinking more in terms of 6-8th place instead of bottom 2 that everyone seemed to have them down for at the time.

and a nrl quality halfback

Yeh a redundant one !

Think it’s great what Salford have achieved this season and will definitely be shouting them home on Saturday! I see a lot of similarities between the two clubs, always have!

They’ve shown every team in the comp if you play as a team and arrive at the business end a fit and healthy team full of confidence anything is possible!

I also find the thoughts on Watson/Chester by our own fans quite comical...Watson with things go against him finished 11th last season but is a brilliant coach, best in the game yet Chester after two brilliant seasons (a bit like Watson this other than reaching a final) and a nightmare season to finish 9th and all of a sudden he’s no good.

I’d just offer a word of caution to Salford and Watson to remember this if things turn next season like they did for us...they’ve already lost their two dream team players...we’ve missed our three from last season for practically the whole season...they’ve also signed PP...let’s see how he goes too...

Yeah I'm under no illusions this is potentially a once in a lifetime achievement for a club like Salford and it's heartbreaking to see so many excellent players leave but unfortunately with our budget it's inevitable players will always move on. No-one could have foreseen where we'd end up this year although we showed enough early season to indicate we weren't going to be cellar dwellers. The problem is that clubs can talk to players early in the season and you're always gonna be tempted by doubling your wages if the big boys come calling.

Hastings/Bibby - Lure of playing for a big name club, lots more cash and for Jacko the chance to put himself in the shop window for an NRL gig.

Jones - Bigger club, lots more cash.

Tomkins - Apparently Leigh can offer him more cash which kinda shows where we're at financially!

Olpherts/Griffin - off to Cas. Griffin has been excellent recently but can be replaced and Olpherts has ability but is only ever a second away from a dropped bomb/handling error etc

For me the 2 big losses are Jacko & Jones - Pauli Pauli will give us plenty of x-factor in attack and Watto will definitely get the best out of him as he did on loan earlier this season. Kevin Brown will need to organise the team in Jacko's absence and let Tui (who obviously just didn't enjoy being at Leeds - who would? ) provide the magic. We've also got the likes of Rhys Williams & Luke Yates coming in from London who are Watto type players. Oh and not forgetting we're getting Dan Sarginson who is still young and an England international.

We should have an increased playing budget next year and Watto will use that to pad out the squad in case we pick up more injuries (we've been pretty lucky this year to be fair). We've also got the 2 Fev lads in to bolster numbers and by all accounts the #9 (who's name escapes me) looks like he could be a bit of a find.

We'll be fine, don't worry.

Hope so slim!

Always like to see teams like Salford do well as we both constantly get stick as being regular strugglers with low crowds...hope the Salford public get behind them next season after what’s been a dream year...as we know at Wakey though it’s a long, slow process getting paying fans back in!

The point about losing players too...just wish the leaders at our club would get a bit more credit in that respect because with playing well comes the cost of others trying to poach your top players...is being able to hold on to the likes of Fifita, Johnstone, Tupou etc shows what an excellent job is being done leading the club, even if we did have a bit of a poor season...

Like Salford from 11th though, there’s no reason why we can’t bounce back next year...

Good luck with Pauli...think there is a player in there as he was good first season...it’s keeping him interested that might be a problem...good luck though and all the very best for Saturday!

The back room staff have been the same before the million £ game against Bradford except Finn. The new coach who came in with about 7 games to go in that season brought in is own conditioner , makes you think how fit are we

If it wasn’t for the injuries it could have been us in the final.

Up the Trin