Super League celebrated its 25th season last year and while it was a campaign unlike no other due to the global pandemic, it at least finished in some style with a Grand Final few will ever forget. But was it the best Grand Final of all-time? We've counted down all 23 Super League Grand Finals, ranking them from the least memorable to the greatest the game has ever seen.
24: 2017 - Leeds Rhinos 24-6 Castleford Tigers
A Grand Final more memorable for the build-up than the game itself. Zak Hardaker's suspension as a result of a drugs ban put Castleford's plans into complete disarray and that chaos made its way onto the pitch. After a year of decimating their opposition, the Tigers turned into pussycats on the big stage, and Danny McGuire rolled back the years to bow out at Leeds in style, and with another winners' ring.
23: 2001 - Bradford Bulls 37-6 Wigan Warriors
A game that promised to be so much but ultimately didn't live up to expectations. Both teams had ended the season with identical records and everything pointed to a classic. But the Bulls produced a stunning first-half display to go 26-0 up, and that was that. It was a wonderful performance but didn't make for a spectacle.
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22: 2006 - St Helens 26-4 Hull FC
The Black and Whites became just the fifth team to make it to Old Trafford in the ninth instalment at the Theatre Of Dreams. But their involvement was just about the most memorable thing about this event. St Helens cruised to victory to become just the second team ever to win the modern treble. Their performance encapsulated just why they will go down as one of the best sides the British game has ever seen.
21: 2016 - Wigan Warriors 12-6 Warrington Wolves
Not for the first time, it wasn't their year. A lot of people believed the hype this time though. They'd won the League Leaders' Shield, reached the final of the Challenge Cup and dispatched of St Helens in the semi-final. But Shaun Wane's side inflicted more misery as they ground out a victory. The enigmatic Chris Sandow came off the bench to try and win Warrington the game, but rather than a grand finale, it ended as a damp squib.
20: 2019 - St Helens 23-6 Salford Red Devils
In many ways there were no losers in this one, with Salford's fairytale story run to Old Tafford being the story more than it was Saints winning. But Justin Holbrook ultimately got his fairytale send-off as two years of dominance culminated in Saints winning the big one. Salford tried in vain, with Saints' excellence shining through.
19: 2010 - Wigan Warriors 22-10 St Helens
The scoreline makes it look closer than it was. Wigan were 16-0 before St Helens got going. The game was as good as over before it had even started. Diana Vickers was good, though.
18: 2007 - Leeds Rhinos 33-6 St Helens
The first it what proved to be a trifecta of Grand Finals between these two behemoths was comfortably the most one-sided. Best remembered for perhaps the best ever Grand Final try through Aussie speedster Scott Donald, the Rhinos were untouchable. It was perhaps the most complete performance of Leeds' 'Golden Generation'.
17: 2018 - Wigan Warriors 12-4 Warrington Wolves
A fierce final in which felt all too much live de ja vu for the Wolves. For a third time in six years, Shaun Wane was the master of Warrington's downfall at Old Trafford. A cagey affair saw Warrington, once again, take the lead. But they surrendered it again. Wigan's sensational defence repelled everything thrown at them from the Wire before Manfredi won it near the end.
16: 2021 - St Helens 12-10 Catalans Dragons
Super League's 24th Grand Final was also a first, with a French club featuring in the season showpiece for the first time. They nearly won it, too. The Dragons came into the game having stunned St Helens at Magic Weekend, producing an unthinkable comeback win in Golden Point to secure the League Leaders' Shield.
They looked on to win again when Mike McMeeken put them 10-6 up going into the final quarter. But Kevin Naiqama's second try of the night, followed by Lachlan Coote's conversion, ensure Saints became only the second side to win three straight titles in the Super League era.
15: 2008 - Leeds Rhinos 24-16 St Helens
The second of three back-to-back-to-back affairs between this duo was tighter than the first. It was a tight, tense and intense affair where neither side budged. It just lacked any 'wow' factor. The game was a slog, a brutal affair, but didn't have any memorable moments. Remember Lee Smith as this year's Harry Sunderland winner for future pub quiz related benefits.
14: 2003 - Bradford Bulls 25-12 Wigan Warriors
The first-ever treble winners crowned the Bullmania era with a wonderful second-half display. Trailing at the break, Shontayne Hape and James Lowes scored second-half tries as the Bulls ran rampant. It was the Bulls at their best.
13: 2000 - St Helens 29-16 Wigan Warriors
It was a final that ignited a fierce rivalry. The first Grand Final between these old foes was a culmination of a year of dominance. Both teams lost eight games between them all season and their meeting at Old Trafford was a battle between the competition's two outstanding teams. But Chris Joynt's double set the Saints on their way as they ultimately won comfortably.
12: 2012: Leeds Rhinos 26-18 Warrington Wolves
A Grand Final that, unlike others, really did live up to the hype. The pair had been the entertainers, scoring an average of 32 points per game all season. A dazzling array of rugby league culminated with the Rhinos landing a fifth triumph.
11: 2005 - Bradford Bulls 15-6 Leeds Rhinos
A year after Leeds finally broke their duck, the Bulls reasserted their position as the best in West Yorkshire, for the time being at least. Leon Pryce starred as he scored one and set up the rampant Lesley Vainikolo in the second-hard to prevail in an absorbing contest.
10: 2013 - Wigan Warriors 30-16 Warrington Wolves
The Grand Final's biggest ever comeback was also Warrington's biggest ever heartbreak. Leading 16-2 and on fire, it was finally the Wolves' year, or so it seemed. But it wasn't. Shaun Wane (shock) masterminded a 28-point turnaround as Wigan ultimately ran out comfortable winners.
9: 2004 - Leeds Rhinos 16-8 Bradford Bulls
As significant as it was memorable, the beginning of Leeds Rhinos' more glorious period started with a victory over their fierce rivals on the big stage. The 'Golden Generation' was born.
8: 1998 - Wigan Warriors 10-4 Leeds Rhinos
You don't forget your first, do you? It came with controversy but delivered razzmatazz. The Grand Final's conception was justified with a brilliant contest best remembered for Jason Robinson's spectacular individual effort that has lasted the test of time. But it was a superb match, and event, that ushered in a new era for British rugby league.
7: 2009 - Leeds Rhinos 18-10 St Helens
There was a fear this Grand Final would suffer due to repetition. But this was the best in the trifecta, a pulsating contest in which St Helens went in as the favourites. But Leeds won, again, reinforcing that Brian McClennan's side truly were the best of all.
6: 2014 - St Helens 14-6 Wigan Warriors
It's the Grand Final Sky Sports subscribers throw their controllers at as it comes as Grand Final Gold shows it *again*. But Ben Flower's horrific double KO on Lance Hohaia still looks as barbaric as it did on first sight, and its notoriety plays its part in its drama. Tommy Makinson's try would secure a first triumph in eight years for Saints.
5: 2011 - Leeds Rhinos 32-16 St Helens
Forever remembered for one of the great tries. Rob Burrow's duck, dodge and dash to the line is one of the most iconic tries Old Trafford has ever, and perhaps will ever, see. That alone ranks it high, but people forget Leeds were 16-8 down in the second half. With Paul Wellens and Michael Shenton going down injured, the Rhinos went on the charge and powered to another victory.
4: 2015 - Leeds Rhinos 22-20 Wigan Warriors
The most recent treble-winners secured the grand slam in one of the most unpredictable Grand Finals we've seen. The platform for this epic was laid as the sides exchanged tries in the opening six minutes. Joel Moon then scored one of the event's most controversial tries after an apparent knock-on from McGuire, who then scored minutes later.
But Wigan scored 14 points in 16 second-half minutes to put them on the brink. However, Josh Walters' try 16 minutes from time was enough for McDermott's men to win the treble. We even had a streaker!
3: 1999 - St Helens 8-6 Bradford Bulls
Where do you start? The brilliant. Henry Paul's amazing try; a long-distance dash as he just escaped the onrushing Sonny Nickle, was one of Super League's great jaw-dropping moments. The drama. To this day, we still can't decide if Michael Withers knocked that ball on. You'll struggle to find a game of rugby league greater than this full stop. It was sporting theatre at its best.
2: 2020 - St Helens 8-4 Wigan Warriors
All most will remember is Jack Welsby. What shouldn't be forgotten is that there hasn't been a more intense, more brutal and more gruelling Grand Final ever. Though even by Super League's standards, this finish was mind-blowing. Rugby league's Aguero moment.
1: 2002 - St Helens 19-18 Bradford Bulls
It's hard to see a game topping this. A game that pitted the competition's two great institutions of its time together and an event that felt like Superbowl worthy. And boy, did it deliver; just don't ask James Lowes about it.
Saints' first try was incredibly controversial only for the video referee to allow Mike Bennett's score to stand. Then the Bulls inexplicably hit the self-destruct button as Brandon Costin's fumble in his own 10 metres gifted Sean Long a try.
Bradford went 18-12 up following tries through Michael Withers and Robbie Paul before Martin Gleeson's try cut the deficit to two. Saints levelled through Sean Long's boot, after referee Russell Smith gave an accidental offside against Stuart Fielden, much to Lowes' disgust.
When Long put Saints ahead with 49 seconds left, the game had its climax everyone had wanted. But the drama wasn't finished. Chris Joynt's voluntary tackle that wasn't given is still among Super League's most controversial moments, and one Lowes and co will never, ever get over.
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