Man of Steel contenders go in search of Grand Final prize

All three nominees for this year’s engage Super League ‘Man of Steel’ award go in search of another prize on Friday night - a place in next month’s Grand Final at Old Trafford.

James Graham and Leon Pryce of St Helens and Jamie Peacock of Leeds Rhinos will forget about personal glory for 80 minutes in a qualifying semi final which threatens to shake Knowsley Road’s old stands to their foundations.

It will if it is anything like last year’s bone-jarring confrontation which Saints just shaded 10-8 only to run out of steam against the same opponents at Old Trafford a fortnight later.

Leeds had summoned up the strength and resolve to beat Wigan in a final eliminator at Headingley and to carry that momentum into the final.

But none of Friday night's gladiators want to risk having to play their ‘second chance  card’ after a gruelling 27-game regular season.

Prop forward Graham, youngest of the ‘Man of Steel’ contenders at 23 and already voted ‘Player of the Year’ by the Rugby League Writers Association, says: ‘The sooner we get to the Grand Final the better.

‘The pressure is massive if you lose the first semi-final. I have experienced both routes to the final and I know which one I prefer. If we beat Leeds we will have an extra week to prepare for the final.

‘At this stage of the season it is more about mental strength than physical fitness to get you through the games. Most players will admit their bodies are aching but their match fitness is there. It is about going the extra mile because of the speed and intensity of play-off football.’

Leeds exploded into the season and took over the mantle of world club champions from Saints when they defeated Melbourne Storm at Elland Road at the end of February. Their form dipped in mid-season and they were overhauled by Saints who took the League Leaders’ Shield for a fourth consecutive year.

Leon Pryce’s majestic form at stand off has earned him his ‘Man of Steel’ nomination but both he and Graham know the calibre of Leeds’ former Bradford prop Jamie Peacock, who will lead England in the World Cup in Australia next month.

Peacock was ‘Man of Steel’ five years ago and has also been named the world’s best forward.

Liverpudlian Graham, who has carried so much extra responsibility in the Saints pack this year because of injuries to Jason Cayless and Nick Fozzard, says: ‘Leeds are a class outfit. They had a blip in the middle of the season but we knew they would come through for the play-offs and they have.’

Both sides go into the showdown in good form. Saints are unbeaten in their last 22 matches and Leeds have won their last four. Knowsley Road will be no place for the faint-hearted.