Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:43 am  

I posted a thread on here last year bemoaning the fact that we were about to reach another Grand Final. Whilst I generally love the occasion, seeing Saints put in an abstract performance and lose to a team with more heart and desire is getting a bit samey. I know walking away from OT last year there were several Saints fans giving it the 'never again' promises. If it happens again and we lose in the Grand Final, I'll bet it would push a few thousand over the edge.

I'll admit, unless it's a final against Catalans or Hull I don't want us to get there.

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:02 am  

I missed last year as I was on my Honeymoon.
After watching the match on SLY+, I texted the following to Dux
"They don't make it any easier for us, do they.."
To which he replied
"No; they certainly don't."
But, I'm afraid Buddy, you've got to be in it to win it. We went years winning practically every final we got to, I think it spoilt some of us. Swings and roundabout have meant we've had it the opposite way of late.
If we ever do manage to win another final I would hope that the euphoria will be similar to what I felt in the stands at Wembley in '96, when I first witnessed us win a trophy after all those years as bridesmaids to Wigan. There's a risk that any victory will deliver only relief, relief that we've got a giant monkey off our back, but even that feeling would be worth it, wouldn't it?

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:16 am  

Luckily I can't make the final this year as if I could then I would have had no choice but to have to go and frankly I just couldn't stand it... We need a season or 2 away from the G/F to recharge I reckon. The point's moot anyway as I don't think a win against Wire is overly likely.

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:37 am  

I have to agree with Monkey on this one.

I was at Wembley in 87, 89 & 91, but I will never forget that feeling against Bradford in 96, 26 - 12 down I was thinking not again, but what happened in the last 25 minutes or so was unreal.

I've also been to every grand final that saints have appeared in and I had the same feeling after the first win over Bradford (8-6) in 1999 and 2000 v Wigan was special also as this was the first real major final (CC or GF) that I had witnesses us beat the pie eaters.

You have to be in it to win it, I've said this for the last 5 years, but surely if we did do the unthinkable this year (not the best saints team in SL era), get there and win it, this would probably be as goood as anything considering the circumstances!!!

p.s.

we have another 80 minutes to play first though!!!!

Never write off the saints

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:50 am  

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me six times....

If we do get to OT, I'll probably be there, with my expectations set very low. That way, they can only be surpassed.

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:40 am  

There is only one team left in the playoffs who we havent beaten yet - and you want to play them at OT - thats unusually brave of you
Give me one of the teams who we have managed to beat if we do make it.

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:01 am  

St. Etrigan wrote:

There is only one team left in the playoffs who we havent beaten yet - and you want to play them at OT - thats unusually brave of you
Give me one of the teams who we have managed to beat if we do make it.

Woh! Hang on there. I didn't suggest we'd win it. I was saying I wouldn't mind losing to Catalans or Hull, that's all.

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:47 am  

Shame on the people that voted No!!!! I am happy for us to go back ever year until we bloody win one and then I want to go back again.

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:04 pm  

I want them to get there yes. Would i go? Possibly not.

I just go into each Grand Final thinking, WHY NOT US?

Re: Do you want Saints to get to the Grand Final? : Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:08 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I'll admit, unless it's a final against Catalans or Hull I don't want us to get there.

You big jessie.

If we get there I won't be expecting a win, and if we don't win I'll be gutted, but I definitely want us to be there. The sweetest victories are always achieved despite the distinct possibility, or even likelihood, of defeat. That's what makes some of our most memorable victories - Wembley '96, GF '99 & '02, WCC 2001 & 2007 - so memorable. It's also why cup final victories against the likes of Huddersfield and Catalans (no disrespect intended) don't quite loom as large in the mind.

If/when we break this Old Trafford spell it will probably be against the odds and it will definitely be a moment to cherish.