It has clearly been a very tough and extremely traumatic time for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats - and one must wonder what else can happen to one particular club.

But I am also extremely pleased and proud that they have decided to play this fixture. We know it is what Leon Walker's parents want and it is the perfect way to honour the young lad's memory.

Of course, it won't be easy for them - or St Helens. They were just coming to terms with the loss of Adam Watene and now this has hit them. They were playing well before this though and I am sure John Kear will be saying 'we play for Leon today and indeed for the rest of the season'.

Walker: fitting tribute but Stevo can't see Wakefield winning

And although results pale into insignificance when you are talking about the loss of a young man's life, but believe me the best thing Wakefield can do here is go out and beat St Helens. That would be the best tribute to a lad who, like all of us, loved rugby league.

I also think the tragic events will lift the Wildcats, give them an added incentive if they needed any.

But they will need to be right on top of their game if they are going to rattle this St Helens side. That game with Leeds last week not only showed us that those two sides are that little bit better than the rest of Super League, it proved that Mick Potter's men can rough it out when they need to.

There has never been any doubting their talent, but we saw last Friday that they can roll their sleeves up and get back to basics when they need to.

I also thought Sean Long was superb. Maybe not in a spectacular way but I thought he controlled that game rather nicely, thank you very much.

Willingness

He was exceptional and his battle with Danny Brough - who has often taken the personal plaudits if not the points when these two meet - will be crucial, because I do think a kicking game will go a long way to settling this.

Chris Flannery got the man of the match award after an outstanding performance and showed just how good he can be if he stays 100 per cent fit; young Gary Wheeler showed he can produce the goods even though wing is not his favoured position and both Leon Pryce and Matt Gidley showed their undoubted class.

But it was that willingness to roll up their sleeves and do the ugly stuff that impressed me the most. They might have to do so again because Wakefield will be fired up for this and John Kear's defences are normally tough nuts to crack.

John will also be delighted that in the absence of Brad Drew, Brough is back. If they are going to get amongst St Helens they need good field position and they need Brough's boot to be at its best.

It will also be a big and very emotional game for Sam Obst, who was training with Watene when he collapsed and was playing in that tragic reserve game last week. He'll have been through the mill but I am sure he will be determined to make his friends proud.

And that is what Wakefield, to a man, must do. They must be professional. Yes, it will be emotional during the minute's silence and yes all the talk pre-match will be about young Leon Walker, but these are professionals and they will know that once that whistle blows, sympathy is not going to get them past St Helens.

I do think they will get a lift this week, I really do. Whether it is enough to overcome a side that already looks like it is determined not to be Grand Final bridesmaids for a third year in the row.

They have to put in a solid, proud and energetic performance - there could be no more fitting tribute to young Leon.

Stevo says

AWAY WIN - Given what's happened and the fact that I do expect those events to bring the very best out of Wakefield, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they did produce a shock win here. But the harsh reality is, you have to expect St Helens to have too much for them - although I can see this being very tight. It won't be easy for either set of players but as I keep stressing, they are professionals. St Helens won't be here to hand out any gifts and Wakefield will know that all the sympathy in the world will not win them this game.

Stevo's star man

SEAN LONG - Check the weather conditions in Wakefield for Friday because I can see this game being settled by the kicking game if it is wet and windy. We could be talking about a one-pointer or we could be talking about good field position - either way Long and Brough will be the men that matter. As I say Brough has tended to do better in their battles down the years, although Long and St Helens have usually come out on top. It comes down to personal proud and Sean Long does not like being second best.

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