Departing Leeds Rhinos ace Liam Sutcliffe has said it would be a dream come true to bring the curtain down on his time at the club with a Grand Final ring to take home.
The 27-year-old, who made his Rhinos debut in 2013 against Saturday's opponents St Helens and has made 221 appearances for Leeds, will leave Headingley Stadium after over a decade at the club, as he and fellow Rhino Brad Dwyer will link up with Tony Smith at Hul FC in 2023.
Although he already has a Grand Final ring, two challenge cup winners medals and a League Leaders' Shield to his name, the Hunslet Warriors amateur says Saturday's game is the biggest one so far for different reasons. He understands his farewell will be an emotional time for him and his family, but he is trying to make the most out of his final eight days as a Rhinos player count.
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"It's going to be emotional," said Sutcliffe. "I had a think about it all on Saturday night, and I just want to enjoy the next eight days or so and take everything in that I can. There's obviously me and Brad (Dwyer) leaving together and also Briscoe (Tom). Me and Tom have spoken a fair bit about how crazy it would be to go on and win the comp, but we just want to enjoy it.
"It would be crazy to win it again, to think back to when we were relegation candidate to now being 80 minutes away from winning the Grand Final. Hopefully, we can pull it off, but we have no fear. If we win, I don't know if I will be crying with sadness or happiness. I aren't getting overwhelmed, but whatever happens, Saturday happens."
Sutcliffe also praised coach Rohan Smith, as he explained how the Australian has stripped things back within the group, but the freedom and style of play Smith has brought to the Rhinos is flourishing and is the main reason for Leeds' journey at the back end of 2022.
"Rohan has come in and done his bits on the team. He's calmed us down, and we probably were an anxious bunch early on, but he's been great, and everyone has bought into what he want's to achieve here, which is clear to see. When he came in halfway through, nobody expected that we would make the final. We were in a bad place, and it was just a case of finishing strong, but to make Old Trafford is crazy. The style of rugby he plays works for us. Players thrive under his tactics, and the freedom he allows really suits certain aspects of our game."
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