The Super League champions will be crowned on Saturday night when the Salford Red Devils and St Helens make their way to the Theatre of Dreams to face off against each other in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Absolutely nobody outside of Salford would have seen this being the concluding game of the season, and I dare say there were plenty inside the town who wouldn’t have expected it either but that is the case as the side who were 80 minutes from relegation three years ago are now the same time from the ultimate landmark.
St Helens
If there is any justice in the world St Helens will win this final. I say that objectively and as a fan of the sport. They were so far clear in the regular season it was untrue and if they needed to prove their worth, they did just that in the only postseason match they have played thus far when they walloped the Wigan Warriors to make it straight through to this final. They have now had two weeks to get themselves ready for one last big performance.
The critics of St Helens will be quick to pounce on the fact that this is their second final of the season and that they just did not perform in the first one. That is true but you would think that would only motivate them further to get over the line here and send Justin Holbrook on his way as a Super League winner, the least he deserves for what he has done with this side for the last couple of seasons in particular.
Salford Red Devils
What an amazing achievement it will be when the Salford Red Devils walk out at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. Second favourites to be relegated when the season got underway, they are now 80 minutes from ultimate glory. Let nobody suggest they don’t deserve their spot in the final either. Since losing to Wigan Warriors in the first week of the play-offs they have seen off the Castleford Tigers and the Warriors themselves for the concession of just one try, playing solid but hard rugby.
From a neutral point of view you just hope there is one more match in the Salford squad because this could be a crackerjack of a final if there is. Adrenalin will take them so far in this final but they are going to have to defend for their lives and then be clinical like never before if they are to win. They do have match winners in their ranks though so to rule them out completely would be folly, as they’ve shown all year.
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Team News
St Helens have named an unchanged squad for this Grand Final and after their brilliant performance against the Wigan Warriors two weeks ago it would come as a surprise if they are not unchanged from 1-17.
The same can be said about the Salford Red Devils too. They have named the same 19 men to travel to do battle at Old Trafford that went to the DW Stadium and got them there. Jackson Hastings will play his final match for the Red Devils here.
Betting
What an occasion this promises to be. Either way a wonderful story will be crowned. As a neutral I really hope Salford Red Devils have got something in them to make this final as memorable as it could be but the punter and realist in me knows that this final is all about St Helens. If they are anywhere near the side which battered Wigan Warriors a fortnight ago then they will win this final and they’ll do it at a canter but if they are off their game like the Challenge Cup final Salford are bang in play. I think that Wembley loss has lit a burning desire in this St Helens side. The chokers tag is gnawing away at them now. I expect them to deliver the goods and put it to bed in style.
This is a Grand Final however so there is every chance the opportunity to put early points on the board with the boot will be taken so I’m going to cover the first scoring play to be a penalty for both teams. The prices probably don’t reflect the chances of a goal being kicked if the chance arises and with both sides having reliable kickers it would be a good play. At 11/2 and 6/1 respectively this could be another way to boost the Grand Final profits.
Tips
WON – Back St Helens (-10) to beat Salford Red Devils for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Betway
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Back First Scoring Play – Salford Penalty for a 1/10 stake at 6.50 with 888sport
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Back First Scoring Play – St Helens Penalty for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 with William Hill
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