Column: Fitting Finale to a Season Like No Other

WOW! OH MY GOD! They're just some of things I shouted at my TV as Jack Welsby won last nights Super League Grand Final with literally the last touch of the game!

Right from James Graham's ferocious first carry, right through to THAT final play, the 2020 Super League Final truly was sensational.

Both sides were nothing short of outstanding! The defence on show was out of this world! The quality of the game was right up there with Origin level, and has to be regarded as one of the best games that the Super League has witnessed in it's entire history. The contrast of emotions at the final hooter tells you everything you need to know about how much was invested into that contest.

It has to be said as well that the build up from the light show to Laura Wright's rendition of Jerusalem really made the game feel like a final. Despite there being no fans, there was quite the atmosphere created. Kudos to Super League for that and the venue choice. Worked a treat.

Ultimately it was a fitting finale to a season like no other. The corona virus pandemic hit the sport hard, like the rest of society.

Toronto had to withdraw as the pandemic struck

The fact that super league was the only division able to continue was a blow. Finances where stretched right across the sport. Then the Toronto debacle struck, tainting the whole image of rugby leagues big expansion plans.

But with all that came the set restart rule and the ditching of scrums which to me have been a true success. I'd happily go without scrums, we've seen that they aren't really that useful.

Yes it may have been a shorter season that usual. Yes there's been issues like a last minute structure change. Yes we've lost a team due to off field issues. But we've seen so many great stories on and off the pitch.

The inspirational Rob Burrow and Mose Masoe have galvanised the rugby league and wider community. Everyone has been touched by what these men have gone through, and what Burrow is continuing to fight.

Two giants of the game in James Graham and Sean O'Loughlin hung up their boots in memorable fashion. While only Graham got to lift the trophy, O'Loughlin was given a guard of honour by both sides in a brilliant show of respect.

And we've been served up two fabulous finals. Easy to forget that Salford vs Leeds in the Challenge Cup final was also a classic.

2021 will bring a new team. Maybe even new rules , who knows. But it's got a lot to live up too after that closing act.