The Super League season reaches its conclusion on Saturday evening as defending champions Wigan Warriors put their title on the line against Hull Kingston Rovers at Old Trafford.
Manchester has been a regular end-of-season calling point for Wigan down the years. Saturday's showpiece will be their 13th Grand Final appearance in the Super League era and their last three visits to Old Trafford have all ended in glory.
For Rovers, meanwhile, it will be an altogether different experience.
The Robins, who finished second to Wigan in the regular-season standings, have never before reached the title decider and are aiming to become only the fifth club after Wigan, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Bradford Bulls to win a Super League Grand Final.
- WIGAN TO WIN BY ONE TO 12 POINTS
- BEVAN FRENCH TO BE NAMED MAN OF THE MATCH
- WIGAN PENALTY FIRST-SCORING PLAY
- HULL KR PENALTY FIRST-SCORING PLAY
Warriors To Draw On Champion Spirit
Pedigree can count for a lot in Super League Grand Finals.
It's one of the reasons why only four clubs have ever triumphed on rugby league's big night and the last 18 have been won by one of Leeds, St Helens or Wigan.
Super League clubs rarely play to such huge crowds during the season and there is also a different dynamic to Grand Finals, with less risk-taking with ball in hand and a greater emphasis on field position and building pressure.
Having previous experience of a Grand Final is therefore a definite advantage and it is something Wigan have in spades.
The Warriors are old hands on the grandest stage of all and their recent performances suggest coach Matt Peet has had his troops in play-off mode for some time.
Wigan have won their last seven matches since a 30-4 defeat at Leeds a couple of months ago and, remarkably, they have kept their opponents scoreless on four occasions in that run.
The first of those was against fierce rivals Saints at Magic Weekend and in their last three outings, they have nilled Leeds, Salford Red Devils and, most recently, Leigh Leopards in last week's play-off semi-final.
The Cherry & Whites came from 12 points down to defeat Hull KR on home turf when the pair met a month ago, when the Warriors displayed all their champion spirit to win 24-20 and effectively seal the League Leaders' Shield.
Hull KR have been a breath of fresh air this season and there is little doubt that they deserve their place in Saturday's showpiece.
Rovers have improved at a rate of knots under Australian head coach Willie Peters, who in two seasons at Craven Park has led the Robins to a Challenge Cup final and now a Super League Grand Final.
However, Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons, Hull FC, Castleford Tigers and Salford have all tried and failed to crack the Super League cartel since 2006, and Hull KR may be the next side to suffer Grand Final disappointment.
Only two of the last 10 Grand Finals have been decided by more than 12 points, so taking champions Wigan to defend their crown with a win by up to two converted scores looks the best approach from a betting perspective.
WIGAN TO WIN BY ONE TO 12 POINTS
Magician French To Be The Game-Breaker
The player named man of the match at Old Trafford on Saturday night will become the first recipient of the Rob Burrow Award, which has replaced the Harry Sunderland Trophy.
Leeds Rhinos legend Burrow, who died from motor neurone disease (MND) earlier this year, was the first player to be named man of the match in a Super League Grand Final on two occasions.
He has left a lasting legacy to the MND community through his work to raise funds and awareness of the disease alongside friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield, who also won the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice.
Burrow's ability to produce a moment of magic set him apart from many of his contemporaries and the same can be said of mercurial Wigan half-back Bevan French.
The Australian's off-the-cuff brilliance was evident in his sensational solo try in last weekend's semi-final win over Leigh and, alongside compatriot Jai Field, he provides Wigan with an X-factor few sides in Super League can match.
French picked up the Lance Todd Trophy for his starring role in Wigan's 18-8 Challenge Cup final win over Warrington Wolves in June and last season's Man of Steel could add another personal accolade to his collection at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
BEVAN FRENCH TO BE NAMED MAN OF THE MATCH
Finalists To Take Range Points
Putting points on the board when the opportunity arises is critical in high-stakes matches, so don't be surprised if either side opts to kick for goal if they are awarded a penalty within range.
A successful penalty has opened the scoring in three of the last four Grand Finals and it would be a surprise if either side turned down the chance to get the scoreboard ticking over.
The prospect of rain come kick-off time at Old Trafford on Saturday could also impact both sides' ability to produce some free-flowing rugby league.
With that in mind, splitting stakes between Wigan or Hull KR opening the scoring at the Theatre of Dreams looks a shrewd play.
WIGAN PENALTY FIRST-SCORING PLAY
HULL KR PENALTY FIRST-SCORING PLAY
