It was a joy to see Leeds win the CC after so many tragic failed attempts but I do feel that will be it for this season.

Considering the efforts shown against Saints last night compounded by the strange reticence of our esteemed coach to use 2 subs even when down to 12 men; the fact that Moon (and Hardaker - after trial by twitter? I wonder whether the perpetrator of the malicious twisting of his leg will get similarly tried?) could be facing a lengthy ban; Leeds could probably finish as low as 6th and the team having no apparent depth in trusted squad members I do feel that is it now.

Saints will win the shield and Wigan or hopefully Castleford will win the GF. I do think Cas will have learned much from the CC final and I have a sneaky feeling they can do it.

Leeds were superb last night in the face of adversity and almost snatched it against the top team with two weeks rest behind them.

On that evidence i am confident we will again have a great shot at the play offs.we may not do it, and if we don't the season will have been a success.we should all know by now not to write this side off ever.

Nah we are far from "season over" it makes the route to OT a hell of a lot harder granted but this Team is the one YOU NEVER WRITE OFF mate!

Was a great workout to get us battle-hardened for the play-offs. The way they played for each other was awesome. I thought playing Saints with 12 men for over an hour we would get mullered especially in the last 10 minutes or so. It never happened. Despite losing it made me more confident we can quite easily handle them later on if we can keep the numbers equal.

Good points all...but as many have stated it is very difficult to maintain the same intensity over the amount of successive matches needed now to win the GF. Plus as I have stated...the team might have to do it without Moon and Hardaker if the twittering classes get their way. McDermott relys very much on his first 17...he does not appear to trust anybody outside that small group: it is unlikely Leeds will have that first 17 available for the whole run in

What a sad defeatist you are.

Jesus. Leeds could finish 6th and I would still class them as favourites for ot.

Not at all...just realistic. I am more than happy Leeds have won the CC this season: that will do nicely for me

I predict a s-o-s for moon as he has a clear defence that he was only coming into the tackle (from the replay I saw I thought his arm was swinging in just misstimed/misjudged)

I also suspect Zak is a (rather pathetic) storm in a teacup on here and will come to nowt.

We have a good chance but the playoffs are tough to call this year. We have a distinct advantage of having the other major trophy in the bag so have less pressure than any other side.

Last night we came very close to beating saints with 12 men for most of the game and with McGuire and Burrow rested. On that basis your post is rather odd.

I posted on here several months ago stating my main ambition was for the team to win the challenge cup. Even at the cost of maybe missing out on the grand final, it's the icing on the cake for most of the players.
I am not certain how the remainder of the season will work out. One thing for certain any team having to entertain us at home will be extremely worried.
As several other posters have stated we are quite capable of once again going to old trafford .
Especially as the team spirit seems sky high, as per last night it was pleasing to see bailey firing on all cylinders once again.

Season over?
No
Just know now that we'll probably have to go away in the playoff semi and do it that way (tough but a home game wouldn't be a gimme either). Not season ending at all. Saints played with a man advantage last night for 60 minutes and only managed 1146m (only 44m more than us). On the back of playing at Wembley last week and many wondering whether we'd be up for this game then how few metres we conceded with 12 men is the most key stat from last night looking ahead.

With Burrow and McGuire coming back, and if the latter keeps up his form from the CC semi & final then things still look very promising for the playoffs whatever the league position ends up being.

The team were magnificent last night and deserved to win the game on the balance of play. A little more composure in the last ten minutes would have seen them home.

If they can beat Wigan and Hull they could yet finish 4th - I think 6th is most likely now - how McDermott must rue the defeats to Wakey, Bradford and London.

This team can beat anyone in a sudden death game if they have a full team out - time will tell.

One thing will be guaranteed - no team will commit more in terms of guts and effort and as a fan you cannot ask anymore.

Cracking post!

Quote ="Omar Little"=#FF0000I predict a s-o-s for moon as he has a clear defence that he was only coming into the tackle (from the replay I saw I thought his arm was swinging in just misstimed/misjudged) I also suspect Zak is a (rather pathetic) storm in a teacup on here and will come to nowt. We have a good chance but the playoffs are tough to call this year. We have a distinct advantage of having the other major trophy in the bag so have less pressure than any other side. Last night we came very close to beating saints with 12 men for most of the game and with McGuire and Burrow rested. On that basis your post is rather odd.'" Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf

Quote ="Omar Little"=#FF0000I predict a s-o-s for moon as he has a clear defence that he was only coming into the tackle (from the replay I saw I thought his arm was swinging in just misstimed/misjudged) I also suspect Zak is a (rather pathetic) storm in a teacup on here and will come to nowt. We have a good chance but the playoffs are tough to call this year. We have a distinct advantage of having the other major trophy in the bag so have less pressure than any other side. Last night we came very close to beating saints with 12 men for most of the game and with McGuire and Burrow rested. On that basis your post is rather odd.'" Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf'" As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf'" As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920

Quote ="Omar Little"As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" Not sure how there can be any argument whether it was a shoulder charge... He made contact with his shoulder (on the chin)... With no arms raised. It was pretty much textbook. Now the player falling and second man mitigates the tackle, putting it at the lowest end, but that's a C grade, 2 game ban with egp. I'd be very surprised if it was anything else

Quote ="Omar Little"As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" Not sure how there can be any argument whether it was a shoulder charge... He made contact with his shoulder (on the chin)... With no arms raised. It was pretty much textbook. Now the player falling and second man mitigates the tackle, putting it at the lowest end, but that's a C grade, 2 game ban with egp. I'd be very surprised if it was anything else

Quote ="Omar Little"Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" I'll give people one guess as to who was the ref in that game with the Matty Bowen high tackle

Quote ="Omar Little"Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" I'll give people one guess as to who was the ref in that game with the Matty Bowen high tackle

I agree with the last statement, but my point seems to have been overlooked. Do you really think the team can sustain that level of committted consistency right up until and on into the GF; a team that could be lacking (almost certainly) at least Moon and trial-by-twitter-Hardaker?

This is not even considering any other potential injuries/suspensions to McDermott's first choice 17 and his inabilty to grasp the concept of wisely using or trusting subs that might fall outside this first choice 17

If you have a sneaky feeling for Cas Nantwich then i suggest you take the 16/1 availible . personally i would not touch them with a bargepole.

Moon will probably get a suspension but with an EGP can't see it running into the playoffs. With Hardaker, unless the ref says he heard anything I don't think trial by lip reading will be enough to condemn him.

As far as level of consistency, perhaps not. Perhaps we may be poor against Wigan and Hull in the last two games before raising again. Also may not be great against Widnes/Catalans in the first week but still have enough to beat them at home if we do end up 5th/6th. We weren't at our best in 2012 in the first week vs Wakey but we got the job done.

All the issues you raise are ones that can be turned around and pointed at the other 5 legitimate contenders. Time will tell, we aren't in any worse state then them, yes we had to raise for the CC, but so did Cas and so did Wigan in 2013 and Leeds and Wire in 2012, the latter three all Grand Finalists, two of them winners.

If you take the table as it is whichever way you look at potential results and combinations it's a very difficult task from 6th place. Leeds need to get top 4, get a win in the first game then they have a week off and a home tie into the final. That is the route that gives them the best chance winning the grand final, no question IMO. That means winning the 2 remaining league games which would hopefully be enough.

There's no formula that is "best" IMO for reaching the GF in terms of where you finish.

2012, Wigan and Saints both got the week off in the playoffs, both failed in the semis.

2013, Wigan and Warrington both got the week off in the playoffs, both won their semis.

Its playing good, being injury free, and playoff 'smarts' that count more than home/away advantage or a week off.

I can't say im all that bothered what happens in the last 2 games now, the main thing is we got to the start of the play offs with our main men available,.if we do, im confident we can go away to any of the sides in the top 4 back to back and do the job as we did 2011,2012.

I agree 100% with the points that both The Printer and Sal make here


Having an injury free squad come play off time is the common denominator to winning the Grand Final IMO,especially under this play off format

We have admittedly lost 3 very winnable games recently against Wakefield,Bulls and London which has clearly made our task far trickier than had we won those, but i suppose all of the other top sides could say that they have too could they not?




We will be a side to be feared in the play offs and from where ever we finish in the league table
If we play like we did in the Challenge Cup games against Warrington and Castleford in the play offs then it will clearly take a good side to knock us out, as that was typical play off footy at it's best IMO

Don't think the season is over. This is the tightest it's been for a few years . Don't know if we will but we certainly have the potential to get to the final and win. We know how to play come playoff time, we can handle the big stage and pressure, and if we have a full fit squad we have a fair chance.
I wouldn't write of cas or saints either as another thread suggests. I honestly couldn't predict it this year.