Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has hinted that Jordan Lilley could be in their match day 17 for the Grand Final – but again could not get a runout, meaning Leeds could only use 16 players in the Grand Final.
Lilley has been an unused sub for Leeds’ last two games, acting as cover for Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. He hasn’t been called upon by McDermott and the Leeds coach says that Lilley knows the scenario that could unfold on Saturday.
He also insisted that they won’t throw players on for the bench just for the sake of it.
“We’ve been getting by with using three of the fellas on the bench for the majority of the year,” he said. “Towards the end of a game, if we’ve got the job done, we’d normally send the other fella on to get a bit of game time.
“Kev had a dead leg and Rob’s been carrying a bit of a groin strain for a couple of weeks so we needed some cover.
“Jordan knows what’s likely to happen. I’ve talked to him during and after the game to explain the whys and wherefores. We’re not going to send a bloke on the field if the team doesn’t need it.
“He’s over the moon just mixing it with these fellas, just to be rubbing shoulders with these fellas is a great experience for him.”
