Kristian Woolf opens up on departure & St Helens star who has defied the odds to be in contention today

Today will be the last time we see Kristian Woolf in a Super League game and he is looking to take one last slice of history with him.

A win would not only see his team win a record fourth consecutive title but he would also become the first coach to win three consecutive Grand Finals after Brian McClennan and Brian McDermott won two back-to-back titles with the Leeds Rhinos in 2008-09 and 2011-12.

Win or lose, tonight will be an emotional day for the stoic Saints boss as he prepares for a new challenge with NRL new boys the Dolphins in 2023 after a World Cup with Tonga.

However, when asked about his emotions going into his final game and his departure, he admitted he hasn’t given it much thought instead focussing on the task at hand: “I’m very focused on the game I haven’t thought about what happens after and everything that happens after. It’s a big week is Grand Final week, everyone knows the occasion and the excitement and that’s been our focus.

“It’s a busy week so there hasn’t been much time for reflection.”

His third Grand Final appearance, it could be a first for one of his players in Dan Norman who after suffering a fractured cheek looked set to miss out.

However, a recent scan has shone that there would only be a small risk if he were to play today so he has a chance at featuring: “He’s fit to play if required. He fractured his cheekbone; it was originally a four week recovery period but we’ve had that rescanned recently and the risk is very small.

“He’s certainly in consideration.”