LOGAN AIMS FOR GRAND SHOWING
TOMKINS is delighted at finally achieving his Grand Final dream – after having his previous chance taken away.
The Salford hooker, 27, is part of one of rugby league’s most famous families and was immense as the Red Devils knocked out holders Wigan on Saturday.
The underdogs’ 28-4 semi-final victory booked them a sensational Old Trafford showdown with St Helens on Saturday.
And for Tomkins (above) it’s the chance to finally experience playing in the biggest game in the domestic calendar.
He was due to be part of Wigan’s 2013 Grand Final winning team and was warming up in front of the 66,000-strong crowd before fate intervened.
He said: “It was the end of the warm-up, just before kick-off, when Sean O’Loughlin was declared fit and I was pushed out.
“I did not mind because he is one of the best players in the world. To be honest, when I was that young, I was slightly relieved because the pressure was unbelievable.”
Six years on, though, Tomkins is determined to get on the pitch and make his own history by winning a second ring.
He said: “It’s a fairytale but we are not happy just to get there.
“We don’t want it to be, ‘do you remember when Salford got to Old Trafford?’ We want it to be, ‘do you remember when Salford won it?’” Tomkins has been JOSH HODGSON will spearhead an English revolution in today’s NRL Grand Final in Sydney.
John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, Ryan Sutton and Hodgson (left) will all line up against Sydney Roosters for the Canberra Raiders.
The four former Super League overshadowed throughout his career by older brothers Sam and Joel, who have achieved a bagful of honours between them.
But Sam was one of the first to celebrate with Logan on Friday and Tomkins added: “I think he was more happy that I’d got to Old Trafford than if he had got there! We are all close.”
Logan and Joel are expected to link up with Sam at Catalans Dragons next season. stars have played a huge part in the Raiders’ road to the Grand Final.
Hodgson said: “We have been written off a lot. They said we’d fall off and then they said we’d get rolled in the semis. But here we are.”