Coach Kristian Woolf declared his St Helens side the greatest team in the Super League era after they won a record fourth Grand Final in a row in the Australian's final game in charge.
Their 24-12 win over Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford on Saturday never looked in doubt from the moment Matty Lees scored the fastest ever Grand Final try inside three minutes.
And after securing a third title in three years as Saints coach, Woolf told The Sportsman of his pride at having led a special collection of players.
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“I couldn’t be prouder of this outstanding group of men,“ Woolf said. “You can’t compare eras but what you can do is compare results and there is no doubt in my mind that this team is the best team in the Super League era.
“The way they fight and work together they will give themselves a chance next year too. They just keep overcoming adversity and do that because of how hard they want to work and how hard they want to fight. That desire and fight is what we did last year and the year before, and that is what gives them a chance of winning every single week.
“I do think they can go on and win it again next year.”
And Woolf told us that this latest success makes his decision to leave the club to coach with The Dolphins in Australia’s NRL even tougher.
“One of the hardest things I’ve had to do in the last three years is stand up in front of this group and tell them I won’t be here next year. I respect them as men and I love coming to work as they are good people. Part of me doesn’t want to leave and wants to be here a little longer but it was a family decision. When I do have to finally say goodbye it will be very difficult.
“100% they have made me a better coach, I am only a small part of this success. An exceptional group has achieved exceptional things and I’m a much better coach for coming over here and working with this group. I’ve learned a lot more from them than they would have done from me.”
Leeds were second bottom of the Betfred Super League table when Woolf's opposite number Rohan Smith took over at Easter, and deserve huge respect for a stunning rebuild. But the Rhinos coach told The Sportsman he struggled to find the right words to lift his distraught players in the dressing room after Saturday's loss.
“There are no right words to say to those guys, who have taken it really hard. We all felt we could do it but also I have been reminded by people that if you want to have success and lift the trophy you have to also feel ordinary in defeat.
“I’m really proud of the journey and certainly the effort we put into this performance. I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and players for the way we have pulled together and done some great things.
“The effort, connection and trust has been commendable. But you are here to win it and clearly we were the second-best team. Everyone is hurting as we thought we had enough to maybe do a little bit better.
“The way the fans have embraced a stranger like me had been phenomenal. The players love them.”
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