When you recall previous Super League Grand Finals and teams who have lit up the Manchester sky, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens are synonymous with the Theatre of Dreams. The two sides are set to lock horns again on Saturday evening to declare who will be crowned Super League champions in 2022 and take home the coveted trophy.
The Rhinos and Saints have played out some classics at Old Trafford in the past, but this weekend's fixture has a little bit more spice added to the occasion. Of course, the main aim is to be walking around the stadium at full-time with a ring around your finger, but with both sides level on eight Grand Final wins each, Saturday is a chance to become Super League kings and the most successful club in Grand Final history.
St Helens, who dominated the early years of Super League, are looking to make it a fourth consecutive Super League title in a row and number nine on the honours list (1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021). Whereas underdogs Leeds Rhinos, who have shown the spirit of the sides who monopolised the division during the Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield days, are desperate to send several departing players such as Tom Briscoe and Liam Sutcliffe off with a bang, which would see them add to their already remarkable record at Old Trafford (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017).
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From a Rhinos point of view, comparing it to the other eight title victories, you feel if they were to beat St Helens on Saturday, it would be the most significant achievement out of the lot, considering the number of injuries the club have sustained in 2022, and the fact after 10 games they were 11th in the league with only one win to their name. People will be backing the current holders for obvious reasons, but you can never write off this Rhinos side, who, under Rohan Smith, have been a sensation during the back end of the season.
As for Saints, victory would deliver an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title, a feat not accomplished in the game since its existence. They can, truly, write themselves into the history books. Albeit in the past and associated with different Leeds and St Helens teams, the blunt fact is St Helens have never beaten the Rhinos at Old Trafford in their previous four attempts. It may not affect the current champions too much, but for veteran captain James Roby who played in all four games, he will be hoping to put that hoodoo to bed and complete a historic four-peat with his hometown club.
But for both teams, the chance to put their club down as the most successful of the era is another fine prize.
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