91Èȱ¬

I'm a Saints fan and think this Grand Final will be a classic. Where Saints have the edge in the pack (and I still can't get used to saying that!) the Pie-eaters have the edge in the backs (ditto).

There are heroes and sublime talent on both sides of the park and it's only fitting that the 2 best sides in the competition contest the final.

The deciding factors will be the mistakes made whoever makes the most will lose, the next will be Big-match experience and here is where Saints have the edge after making their 5th GF on the trot. (I hope)

Then of course, we have Keiron's scriptwriter. Whatever can they have lined up for K.C.'s swansong? Golden point drop goal? On the basis of what we've seen the last 3 weeks - you can't rule it out.

The final word is for the author of the blog - THANK YOU GEORGE! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog throughout the season and well done for your most overt advocacy for RL on 5-live. Keep it up and enjoy the off season (after the 4-nations of course!)

My daughter and I are committed Wigan fans and are really looking forward to the match on Saturday. This will be the first Final we have been to and we are really excited at the prospect of a great game.

We have seats up in the 'Gods' but as we expect to be in Heaven on Saturday evening, it is probably the best place to be.

Before even a ball has been kicked or a pass made, this match has already reached amazing peaks in emotion. Lets make this a match and an occasion that Terry would be proud of.

Nice blog George. Terry Newton was a no-nonsense totally committed kind of player and judging from the 606 boards has a lot of bad feeling towards him from some Saints fans so I hope for his family's sake the minutes silence is respected. I'm sure it will be by the players including Gilmour who has far more reason to hold a grudge than the Saints fans.

I had a feeling for the Challenge Cup final between Warrignton and Leeds that one side could blow the other off the park because they were both so attacking but I just don't see there being much between Wigan and Saints. Had Eastmond and/or Pryce been fit I think Saints would win but I'm reminded of how one dimensional they were without either player against Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi so I think it will be tough for them (although they obviously have Matty Smith in good form). I think Francis Meli will be a target as despite being a fantastic player he has made critical errors in the past few Grand Finals that have turned the games against the Saints at a crucial stage.

Wigan looked fantastic in defence against Leeds but the Rhinos didn't have their striking support players like Mcguire that makes them dangerous. Saints even without Eastmond I think will ask more questions and as they showed against Huddersfield I think they have the ability to crack the hardest defences. The wet weather will mean a forward type dominated game and I just think Saints with James Graham and Tony Puletua (apologies for spelling) have the edge there, even if Wigan with Sam Tomkins have the edge in the backs.

My prediction (for what it's worth) is Saints to win 19-12.

The key factor will be the weather. If it rains it will benefit Saints. Ironically, against Leeds in the previous finals, the weather has benefitted Leeds

Weather forcast at the moment is for dry, sunny intervals ;)

Good blog...

anyone going can make it a day of good rugby league. A Bury Broncos v Bolton Mets derby at 12.30 leaving plenty of time to go to the GF after...

Your GF George knows a number of our (Bury) players from school days I believe

I just hope the minutes silence for Newton is observed properly by Saints fans, whatever people thought about things off the field, I agree with you George, he was an awesome player and should be remembered as such.

As Eastmond scored all St Helen's points in their defeat last year, I just think his absence will hurt Saints more than they are letting on - it could have been a different story had McGuire played for Leeds last week too.

And this is why I think it will be Wigan's year, sometimes champions need abit of luck, and with strike players such as McGuire and Eastmond both missing when it matters most, I fancy Michael Maguire to lead Wigan to GF success in his first year....how I would love him to take over at FC!!

great read, to echo the the first comment, been a pleasure reading your blogs all season! Im a wigan fan and will be there on saturday! I will say I'm a little bit nervous for saturday, purely because if the last 3 years are to go by, its not necessarily the best team that win the grand final, just the team that handles the pressure better. There will only be a handful of players from wigan who've played at old trafford before and it will be a test for Maguire to see if he can prepare the players for the event! The deciding factor I always think when teams of such high standard play is how many penalties are given away, ill-discipline is the cause for so many defeats in tight games!

I don't think the final will be a "classic". Partly because Grand Final's rarely are but because I think Wigan will bring their normal game.

All year, Wigan have done what they are good at. They play a very slow tempo, methodical, risk-averse game. They wait for a lapse in concentration from the opposition and then pounce. Nothing wrong with that if you're a Wigan fan, they're very effective at it, but not so great for the neutral.

I'm hoping for a St Helens victory. Not because I'm a fan of them but because they will be the ones who try to play expansive, enterprising rugby.

cant wait, so excited its gonna be a cracker.
come on you saints!!!
matty smiths kicking will be crucial, he needs to turn tomkins around as much as possible and the chase needs to be great every time, if he can do that and the chasers can limit his metres gained then Saints should take it, it wont be easy but I think everyone knows what will happen if there is just one try in it going into the last 5 minutes....Cunninghaaaam.

quietly brickin' it.

Never mind pretty-boy Wilkin being nervous. If we complete sets & keep hold of that damned ball then there's nothing between the two sides.

Here's for a cheat-free match

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Actually, I did mean on both sides.

It never fails to amuse me that we're so reviled from all quarters for even breathing heavilly half the time.

GET OVER IT for cryin' out loud.

When any other team in RL is as hated as we are, then you have arrived. We just happen to been here for a long time.

(and now that Floyd's comment has been removed by the thought police, my second little missive makes no sense - thanks 91Èȱ¬) :-)

Great blog George..

In reply to blog 3. Yes there have been some comments of ill feeling towards Newton but not all from Saints fans and a quick look at the Saints website shows a whole host of Saints fans showing sympathy, especially for his wife, kids and parents.

I am sure the GF will be a fitting one.

Now for the game itself. Most people are saying its too close to call and I agree although i will bethere hoping for a Wigan win. Alot of people saying Wigans inexperience could cost them, but Maguire has helped prepare Grand Final winning teams and if anything has shown that Wigan can take the emotion out of a situation.

Hopefully will be a thrilling conclusion to one of the best seasons Superleague has witnessed.

Not sure why you say someone from Yorkshire wouldn't want this final?
After all it is the two top teams which is the way it should be.

Yes George but as Leeds and Huddersfield were fairly comprehensively beaten, 6-26 and 42-22 I don't think they can complain! My team Rovers were beat 42-18, but if the Grand Final is what is says on the tin it should be the best two teams and that is what we have got. Personally I think this is a fairly pointless exercise as the best team is the team who finished top, the tables don't lie. Anyway hope it's a cracker but I won't hold my breathe (re post 9)

I must also echo the comments about your blog George.., It's been a great read throughout the season. Speaking of the terrible & tragic loss of Terry Newton - I too was completely shocked to hear the news on Sunday and especially the circumstances. I actually felt guilty for not knowing he had released a book! Anyway I think both sets of fans will honour him respectfully during the minutes silence, I know despite the comments that many a saints fan will be supportive looking at their comments on their clubs website. I saw many a fan getting a new replica shirt this week at a well known sports store in Wigan with his name printed on the back!

As for the game; I hope its a classic and the best team wins, I think it will be super tight and low scoring with only a few points seperating the teams. As a Wiganer I want my team to triumph but as long as its a good contest I don't really mind, the fact that it will be a sell-out is a great advert for the sport and reward in itself. I've been to 2 other GF's, in which Wigan both lost to bradford (01 & 03), so I couldn't face another!!

Finally what a great season! with the Four Nations still to come, ace!

As others have said, great blog George. I've enjoyed reading it throughout the season.

As a Saints fan I'm hoping for a Saints win today but after three consecutive losses, an inexperienced halfback pairing (whichever form it takse) and Meli on the wing no doubt, my hope is only small! But I will be singing and shouting my team on in the belief that their backs against the wall attitude of the last few weeks can hold out for just one more game, and that we can kick into touch the last three years of misery!

Come on you Saints!