A GRAND OLD RAGE

In a season when young guns have seized the limelight, two legends – O’Loughlin and Graham: Combined age 73 – take centre stage tonight

IN a season where Super League’s young guns have stepped up like never before, the old guard will take centre stage in tonight’s Grand Final.

Much of the pre-match narrative has surrounded retiring duo Sean O’Loughlin and James Graham, two of the most iconic figures of the summer era.

Wigan Warriors’ O’Loughlin will become the oldest Grand Finalist in its 23-year history at 38 years and three days, while St Helens’ Graham is 35.

Saints back rower Zeb Taia,

36, will also hang up his boots after the game, and 12 other players are 30 or over, including key playmakers James Roby and Thomas Leuluai, who are both 35.

But the spotlight will fall most firmly on O’Loughlin and Graham, as former England and Great Britain team-mates who came through the youth systems at their respective clubs to develop into two of the biggest stars of the sport.

While loose forward O’Loughlin has spent his entire career in the cherry and white of Wigan, prop Graham returned for a Saints swansong in July after spending eight years in Australia.

Graham said: “It’s coming to an end and I’ve probably known for quite some time that this season was going to be my last.

“The old body’s not what it used to be and it’s time to hang up the boots. But I’m extremely excited about this one last game. I wasn’t focused on the big picture of getting to a Grand Final or winning a Grand Final when I came back.

“St Helens is a club that’s close to my heart and has had a lot of success, but the focus was on just getting an opportunity to get there.”

Graham ( far right) describes O’Loughlin as “a warrior and a competitor, on and off the field”, who does not have any weak spots.

The admiration is mutual and O’Loughlin (right) said: “I’ve got lots of great memories of playing alongside and against ‘Jammer’ – he’s been a top team-mate internationally for me. This will be no different to usual, he’ll be giving it his all.

“I have a massive amount of respect for what he’s achieved in his career and what he’s done not just here but overseas as well.”

Combined, they have played almost 1,000 toplevel games. Tonight will be one of the strangest for both – a Grand Final at the

KCOM Stadium in Hull away from its spiritual Old Trafford home – and without the supporters that have idolised both through their careers.

That will add another dimension to a game title sponsors Betfred can barely split, giving Wigan the slight edge, perhaps by virtue of the recent

18-6 win over their great rivals.

O’Loughlin said:

“All the games we’ve played with no crowds have been different atmospherewise and it’s going to be similar to that.

“I wasn’t involved in the WiganSaints game a few weeks back, but that was a step up in intensity from some of the previous rounds.

“I’m expecting the same again. It’s going to be a real physical game – quick and tough. The crowd that normally plays a big part won’t be there, but the intensity still will be.”