Cunningham pens Saints deal

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Cunningham, who turns 32 later this month, had been considering retirement but on Thursday gave his commitment to play one more season by signing a 12-month deal.

The former Wales and Great Britain hooker is Saints' longest-serving player by a distance and will lead them in both his and the club's sixth Grand Final against Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I spoke to the chairman (Eamonn McManus) and (chief executive) Tony Colquitt earlier in the year about going around again and I said I would consider it if I felt I was in good enough condition towards the end of the season," he said.

"I didn't want to get to a point were I was just dragging myself around a field.

"But my form has been good this year and I feel I can carry on for another season. I am excited about the challenges that a new coach and new players will bring to the club."

Saturday's final will mark the end of an era, with coach Daniel Anderson and fitness expert and former player Apollo Perelini leaving the club, while Willie Talau and Nick Fozzard will play their last games and Paul Sculthorpe and Mick Bennett have already hung up their boots due to injury.

But Cunningham is set to add to his staggering total of 436 appearances, which have brought 163 tries and have been crucial in Saints' dominance of the Super League era.

He has been named in the Super League Dream Team seven times out of a possible 13 and the club will mark his distinguished service by erecting a bronze statue of him outside their planned new stadium.