PEACOCK Experience a major factor

THE Betfred Super League Grand Final has all the makings of a classic – and more plot lines than a bestseller.

There’s no getting away from the fact that full-back Zak Hardaker (above) will be a loss for Castleford.

He has been a key part of their success this season and is a past Grand Final winner so his absence for breaking club rules is a blow.

But the Tigers have others capable of stepping up, not least the new Steve Prescott Man of Steel Luke Gale.

He’s a player who hasn’t had it easy through his career but he never quit or stopped believing in himself.

Cas have been outstanding all season. They came up short in the Challenge

Cup quarter-finals against Hull, but since then they’ve answered most questions. People wondered if they could keep winning in the Super Eights after they had topped the table – but they delivered emphatically.

Then they had to dig very, very deep to beat a tough St Helens side in that classic semi-final.

Looking at Leeds, who would have thought they would be stepping out at Old Trafford after being beaten 66-10 at Castleford in March?

Coach Brian Mcdermott (above) still had absolute faith his team were capable of doing that, and the Rhinos deserve immense credit for it.

Now it comes down to a Grand Final, and teams who play different styles of rugby, both of which are attractive to watch.

Cas have been the most consistent team and beaten Leeds four times this year.

But they lack Grand Final experience and the question will be whether they can win when it absolutely matters on the biggest stage.

Leeds haven’t able to beat Cas for a long time but they have a team littered with Grand Final winning experience.

They also have the emotion of two of Super League’s greatest players Danny Mcguire and Rob Burrow leaving them after the game.

Having spent 10 years at Leeds I can’t back against them and I see them edging a tight contest.