Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:47 am  

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.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:51 am  

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.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:59 am  

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.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:03 am  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

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.

Ah meli the rhinos 18th man in gf's

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:52 am  

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

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:31 pm  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

The big key for me: Meli is no longer on the wing.

I dunno, Foster's first contribution on Saturday was fairly Meli-esque.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:14 pm  

As stated here, 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.

As stated here, 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.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:22 pm  

McClennan wrote: As stated here, 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.

McClennan wrote: As stated here, 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.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:34 pm  

Dux wrote:

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.

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.

Re: Saints V Leeds : Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:57 pm  

Wilbred T Pricklepop wrote:

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.