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Super League Grand Final classics: Great Scott and the end of an era

Shontayne Hape (left) and Lesley Vainikolo (right) celebrate after Bradford's Grand Final win in 2005

It's Grand Final week. The biggest and most exciting week in the rugby league calendar.

It comes down to 80 minutes at Old Trafford to decide which team will be lifting Super League's ultimate prize.

To get you in the mood - we're counting down 15 of our favourite moments, which we'll reveal as the week goes on.

15. Smith's late winner - 2009

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A look back at the 2009 Super League Grand Final between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens

Leeds were looking to complete a hat-trick of Grand Final wins in 2009 while St Helens were hoping to end the Old Trafford hoodoo the Rhinos held over them. It was a captivating game that hung in the balance until the 72nd minute.

Leeds led 11-10 and were attacking the St Helens line looking for a match-winning try. It came back to Danny McGuire on the fifth tackle who stabbed a grubber towards the in-goal area. Lee Smith collected and dived in under the sticks for his second try of the game on his final appearance before a switch to rugby union.

Lee Smith scores the winning try for Leeds in the 2009 Grand Final
Image: Lee Smith scores the winning try for Leeds

However, as the Leeds players piled on Smith in celebration, Steve Ganson put the square in the air to check for offside. It looked touch and go, but video referee Phi Bentham ruled Smith was just level and pressed the T-R-Y button.

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Game over, and a third successive Grand Final victory sealed. 

14. End of an era - 2005 

Bradford Bulls' Lesley Vainikolo scores a try while under pressure from Leeds Rhinos' Andrew Dunemann in the 2005 Grand Final
Image: Lesley Vainikolo scores a try despite the efforts of Andrew Dunemann

It was a strange season for Bradford, who came third in the regular competition, but put together a 12-match winning streak to become the first side to win the Grand Final having finished outside Super League's top two.

The Bulls, under Brian Noble, avenged their 2004 defeat to bitter rivals Leeds by seeing them off in the 2005 showpiece event. Tries from Leon Pryce and Lesley Vainikolo secured a 15-6 win at Old Trafford, but it looked like the end of an era.

Captain Jamie Peacock lifted the trophy, but it must have been a strange feeling for the forward, knowing he would be lining up in blue and amber the following season.

He wasn't the only departing Bull either - it was also Robbie Paul, Leon Pryce and Lee Radford's last games for the club.

Although Bradford won the World Club Challenge the following season, the sight of Peacock lifting the famous trophy symbolised the end of a truly great team. 

13. Sensational Saints - 2006 

The St Helens players celebtrate after their Grand Final victory over Hull FC in 2006
Image: The St Helens players celebtrate after their Grand Final victory over Hull FC

St Helens were overwhelming favourites going into the 2006 Grand Final and Daniel Anderson's men were on the hunt for a treble having already won the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders' Shield.

Hull FC were the opposition at Old Trafford, but the final turned out to be a little one-sided. Saints ended up 26-4 winners, but if Hull thought they stood a decent chance of winning, one early moment proved otherwise.

There was no score on the board when Hull created a good opportunity for the first try. With the ball in the opposition 20, the Airlie Birds shifted it wide and put flying winger Gareth Raynor in space.

It looked an easy run-in for Raynor, but he didn't count on an incredible double cover tackle from Jamie Lyon and Man of Steel Paul Wellens. Lyon made up the ground to bring Raynor down and full back Wellens smashed him from the side, bumping the winger into touch.

It proved Saints were up for the challenge and they went on to win easily. 

12. Michael's magic - 2001

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A look back at the 2001 Super League Grand Final between Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors

It remains the biggest thumping in a Grand Final. Bradford's 37-6 humiliation of Wigan in 2001 was so one-sided, the game was over by half-time, with the Bulls leading 26-0. And one man influenced the game slightly more than the rest.

Michael Withers had a night to remember, becoming the first, and only, man to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford and they all came in the first 40.

Wigan's Kris Radlinski tries to hang on to Bradford's Michael Withers during the 2001 Grand Final
Image: Kris Radlinski tries to hang on to Bradford's Michael Withers

His first came after a scintillating break from Henry Paul, who was brought down just short. Withers scooped the ball up and powered over from dummy half. No 2 came from poor Wigan defence. Scott Naylor burst through, feeding Tevita Vaikona, who in turn sent in Withers.

And the third came minutes later, Bradford's pack rumbling downfield before the backs shifted it wide for Withers to cross again.

Bradford added 11 more points in the second, but Withers' first half display meant the Harry Sunderland judges had an easy decision to make.

11. Great Scott - 2007

Leeds duo Brent Webb and Scott Donald celebrate after their Super League Grand Final win over St Helens
Image: Leeds duo Brent Webb and Scott Donald celebrate after their Grand Final success

Leeds went into the 2007 Grand Final as massive underdogs but in Tony Smith's final game in charge, they produced an astonishing performance to record a 33-6 win.

Late tries perhaps flattered the Rhinos; indeed the game hung in the balance in the second half. Ali Lauitiiti had just gone over to push Leeds 12-6 in front, so the next score was vital. And two minutes later, Leeds had it.

The Rhinos spread the ball wide to find winger Scott Donald in space on the touchline. Going past halfway, he came up against full-back Paul Wellens, so often the formidable last line of defence.

Wellens showed Donald the outside, and Donald took it. He raced round Wellens, leaving him on his backside, and touched down to give Leeds an unassailable lead.

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