Must admit I've had a terrible week, barely slept and was so nervous about the final that I didn't enjoy any of the build up in the week. I made myself take a look around on the way to the ground, you just never know when or if you'll go back. When the game started we were so on top. The pack were making easy yards and in the first 20 we were thoroughly dominant, but our attack was so wayward. When Coote threw the ball into the crowd on the 1st or 2nd tackle I'll admit I was sick of life. It was just Wembley repeating itself. Salford looked so dangerous whenever they got close to our line in the first half. Our defending wasn't that great when Loloheia had his try correctly ruled out and it was worse when Bibby scored. I felt at half time it was next try winner. If they'd got it they would have been on the crest of a wave, but like the start of the first half we just bossed things. It was over when Percy scored and I could finally relax a little and savour it. It wasn't pretty but we were dominant and stopping Salford getting field position was crucial as they would have scored points. It wasn't pretty but it was the perfect Grand Final performance. Dare I say it, it was Leeds-esque in it's efficiency.
Despite it not being a classic performance and our attack being slightly off, there were so many who deserve recognition. Coote was flawless, Makinson and Grace did the ugly stuff so well and along with Percy and Big Kev allow the pack to dominate by reducing their workload. Fages came up with so many crucial tackles, he was everywhere tonight in defense. J-Lo was well watched but battled well, Roby like a fine wine just purring, his play for Taia's try just sublime. The two big men, Al and Thommo were incredible. Taia came up with arguably his best performance for Saints tonight, none of the showy stuff, just incredibly workrate, Peyroux the same. What can be said about Morgan Knowles? I'm not sure I've ever loved a player more than him, he's sensational. Ashworth did well, loved his aggression and LMS was great too. Kyle Amor probably deserves a mention. He was a player who could easily have traded places at Leigh with Luke Douglas. I'm sure not many would have questioned that decision had it been made. But he refused to be pushed out and he knuckled down and worked harder. And it paid off for him, proving his worth to Justin and thoroughly earning that shirt. As good a redemption story as Jackson Hastings and Salford.
Don't know what I was so worried about. I should have more faith, the boys deserve it.
(We'll do well to avoid getting relegated next season with Woolfe in charge and no new signings )