Chris22

Don't give Martyn Sadler any ideas!

Probably not best placed to answer this one, but these two sides haven't contested a final in 11 years. That's a new generation who would know little or nothing of the 07-11 finals.

I do, largely, agree. I've never been against the idea of each side playing every other team once at home and once away and the team finishing top wins. I enjoy the Magic Weekend and Grand Final and both are money spinning events so despite my views, we must be pragmatic. The reason a first past the post system works well in football is because there's a genuine prize for top 4, a worthwhile prize for top 6, an entertaining relegation battle where the losers don't face oblivion. As a Saints fan, the regular season doesn't get me excited. I don't get particularly excited by wins or despondent by defeats because ultimately they mean little. It's a tricky position and balance, but 27 weeks which mean little isn't great.

I'm stunned by that result. I didn't think Leeds had a performance like that in them. Their defence was outstanding and to soak up so much pressure is testament to their improved discipline. If Leeds play like that next week, they have a very good chance, whoever they play. For Wigan, I think we saw the value of Farrell tonight. Leuluai looked far slower than Cust in attack too and made me realise that I've probably underrated him this year. Enjoyable play off match and 3 wins from 3 for away sides. I hope that ends tomorrow!

I agree with this. We have four first team players injured. The three you've mentioned and Grace. There's also Dan Norman, but I think Wingfield and Bell would have been preferred anyway. Our missing players are losses, but we have two big returnees and the squad we will name will be the strongest we've been able to name for several months. It's hardly the crisis to end all crises that our fans are making out. On the subject of "Championship players", it did cross my mind last week! Brierley, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Gerrard, Dupree and Cross all Championship players until late. There may be some I've missed. Huge credit must go to Salford, Rowley and the players as individuals to get back or into Super League and make a real impact. A lesson in there for other clubs when it comes to recruitment!

This isn't going to look good on Friday!

I'd be surprised if we didn't see a reasonably comfortable Wigan win here.

Whilst we're on the subject, I'm going to rather shamelessly link to a blogpost I wrote the other week...

I think our partisan nature comes in here too. If a player for the team an individual supports does it, then a blind eye will be turned. Say it's the Grand Final. Two minutes to go. One side trails by two. They feel head high contact and are close to the posts. What does that player do? Stay down and try and win the penalty and tie the match? Or get up and probably lose the match. The practice almost pits the sport against the team. If the player got up, they may face internal criticism for not playing 'smart' as well as from their own fans. If they stay down, they face wider criticism. I don't think there's an easy answer though. Because if we say the video ref can't intervene, something substantial will be missed.

But foul play usually has taken place. These incidents seem to arise when a player has taken head contact, the ref hasn't noticed and the player stays down to attract a the video ref's review.

I should rephrase... no advantage over second place.

I think we are being hugely underestimated by our own fans. Probably because we're trying to reconcile ourselves to the fact that our streak can't last forever. Walmsley is a blow, but so is Croft for Salford. I think this will be our toughest play off semi final since 2018. I'm not worried about our forwards at all, we will dominate in that respect. Outside backs is where Salford will have the edge. Whether Hopoate plays for us is key, I'd feel a lot more confident if he did. A little frustrating that we have gained no advantage at all by finishing top, but that's how this play off system works. My biggest concern is Salford's defence. Gets nowhere near as much attention as their attack, but has been very impressive lately. I'll go Saints by 10.

None. These players are paid to win matches. I don't blame any of them for doing that. It puzzles me that staying down after taking a high shot is seen as outrageous yet other acts of cheating such as a deliberate ball steal are not. That's just as much 'milking', if not more so, than any act in the game.

Strikes me as much more of a Tony Smith player than an Ian Watson one. But, would fit at Huddersfield as either as half back or full back and a step up on Cogger or Russell (assuming Pryce is leaving).

For Saints, it is believed that Hopoate and Percival are also missing the play offs too. Dodd and Grace out long term as well. Some rumours that Lees is missing on Saturday, but I think that's just social media talk. For England, our pack is far weaker than it was a few years ago. I am concerned about our prospects at the World Cup. Tonga and Samoa's improvements are well documented, but New Zealand's squad is outstanding too, more than capable of matching Australia. It wouldn't surprise me to see England out in the quarter finals.

That's a shame. Always struck me as decent player, pleased he could be part of that 2018 cup win.

A solid player who played for a lot of big teams and arguably achieved more than other players of his equivalent ability. That's probably testament to his professionalism and determination.

I wonder if the Warrington QF possibly being Tonga v Samoa (if England beat Samoa) may be a saving grace? I'm not going to any of the three games at Warrington, but probably would go to a QF there if it was Tonga v Samoa. Not saying that I'm a representative sample but still...

Oh go on then, since we're on about wind ups I'll go first! I don't get why Tim Lafai hasn't been banned when Blake Austin was for what were as close to identical incidents as you're going to get 3 weeks ago.

If the ball goes out on the full, then the restart takes place from where the ball is kicked. If the ball goes out on the bounce, then the restart takes place where the ball entered touch. The opponent (i.e non-kicking side) will take the restart. That is unless it is a '40-20' kick, where a ball is kicked from behind the 40 metre mark in your own half and leaves play, on the bounce, with between the opponent's 20 metre line and cornerflag. Or, indeed, a '20-40' kick, which is rare, but where you kick from behind your own 20 metre mark and the ball leaves play on the bounce, within 40 metres of the opponent's tryline. In these circumstances, play with resume by 'tapping' the ball, once the referee gives the mark, taken by the side who made the kick. I'm not sure when a scrum occurs after a regulation kick, or when a 'lateral restart' occurs (i.e. a play the ball) despite being a committed follower of the sport. That says something of the unnecessary complexity of our laws.

I think we'll see an upturn once the season ends and even as the tournament goes on. I'd be happy with 50,000 at St James' Park, all England matches sold out, 30,000 for the non-England semi at Elland Road, 55,000 + at Emirates and a sold out final. The Coventry, Middlesbrough and Doncaster matches worry me somewhat. Think we'll pick up some decent crowds at Headingley, Hull and Warrington too.

Can we bring back club call so Saints don't have to play Salford next weekend?!

Radio Leeds are broadcasting, but online only.

I would understand the decision either way. Ultimately, playing the fixtures I believe is correct, with appropriate tributes. Whilst I get why football has made a different decision at a professional level (possibly even due to policing resources), I cannot fathom the decision to cancel junior and grassroots sport.

It did. Our approach changed but the reality we face hasn't.