General thoughts
We got a lot of effort, played all the way through to the end. It didn't all go our way for sure but I'm really proud of the journey and certainly the effort we put into tonight's performance.
What he takes from this experience
"There's probably two parts to that one. I couldn't be prouder of the staff and players for the way we've pulled together and done some great things. We've won a lot of games by not only by two points but with memorable performances people will remember for a long time. The effort, connection, trust and the way people have stuck together and galvanised and played some decent footy, that's real commendable. But the other part is you're here to win it. Clearly, we were the second-best team tonight for more than them.
What Leeds need to go the next step
There's so much. Coming here in May, you kind of do some bits and pieces and try and get a shift in performance. But we're going to have a pre-season, albeit an interrupted one with the World Cup. We'll have around 10 players playing in the World Cup, but the pre-season will enable us to establish a different identity and expand on what we've done in the last couple of months. It's difficult when you're playing games every five days to bring significant change. We've done well, really well. There's worse places to be than here tonight but everyone is hurting because we thought we had enough to do a little bit better.
Read next: St Helens attain immortality as fourth straight win cements their greatness
Keeping players fit
Next year is a long time away. We weren't here to make up the numbers but to give our best tonight and I'll be reflecting on how I went about the week. It was a really enjoyable week, nobody was stressed, panicked or over-hyping the situation. Maybe we'll reflect on some decisions, processes on game day, interchanges, that kind of stuff. Next year is a totally clean slate, this year's performances won't count next year.
Was the Konrad Hurrell try the key moment
There was a bunch of crucial moments. We almost had that play covered too. We had it but didn't just quite, that swung things significantly in their favour. Even the kick where Blake Austin kicked early to Briscoe, that was another key moment, you could go through the whole game and find some of them. I thought there were a lot of stoppages again, highlighted by the lengthy stoppage for the referee's equipment to get sorted out.
The Leeds fans
They were phenomenal, I actually feel like I missed out a little after the game as I was standing around for a long time for a TV interview that didn't present itself for ages. I feel like I wanted to do my small part to say thank you. The way they've embraced a nobody and a stranger like me, you know, I've nothing but love for all of them. I still can't believe it, it gives me goosebumps thinking about it. They're an unbelievable fanbase and their support to the players has been phenomenal. The players just love them.
Pride in the journey
I was just speaking to the players about that in the dressing room. You can reflect on the game itself, we'll all have what ifs and that, but at some stage when the time is right as an individual they have to reflect on the journey that was and we'll never go on one a journey like that again. Everyone is different and it was so enjoyable, getting to know people while adversity was front and centre for so long is the best way to get to know people. It's still early but at some point we'll reflect Sometimes as a coach you think a lot and question everything and you've got the opportunity to plan the pre-season. For players it's harder because they get a break, or kind of a break, coming up.
The offside call when Leeds broke
I'm certainly not here to be complaining about the referee. I think he's a good referee but I have noted, a lot, that the use of the penalty for offside is one, extremely unpredictable and two, extremely inconsistent. Sometimes it matters if you're offside, sometimes it doesn't. You can make the tackle offside and not get penalised but then you can be the opposite side of the ruck and get penalised. I think you just let the play unfold a little bit, we clearly didn't want a penalty then. The kick wasn't a turning point, it was just a moment in the game that was important.
An important experience for the young lads
You've got to play in a big game at some point. They handled themselves well. We weren't as cohesive as we have been at times, we had a couple of poor moments, particularly the first try and they score. Then a couple of kick tries that were nice kicks and we just didn't get there. Those young lads handled themselves well and as has been the case over the last couple of months, it's been crazy.
Finding the right words for the players
What can you say? There are no right words for some of those guys. They're really taking it very hard, some might take it harder at a different time. They're all disappointed because we felt like we could do it. But also, I've been reminded by people over the years that if you want to taste the success and hold the trophy you've got to be prepared to feel ordinary in defeat and prepared to risk big to win big. That's where we are today.
Read next
Leeds Rhinos' Rhyse Martin sets new Super League record for consecutive goals
How Matty Lees made Grand Final history after opening try
Grand Final team news as Leeds Rhinos and St Helens name injury doubts in side
Leeds Rhinos' halfback headache poses Rohan Smith with grandest dilemma
