IT seems longer than five years since Paul Wellens dropped to his knees and beat his chest in triumph and relief after Saints had defeated Wigan at Old Trafford.

That tense, but triumphant night punctured five years of nightmares at the Theatre of Dreams, but that one major pot in 11 seasons stands out somewhat uncomfortably for a club with such a rich trophy-winning pedigree.

Tomorrow night Saints get the chance to put all that right when they take on Salford in the Grand Final where they are looking to crown what has been a stellar league campaign with the ultimate prize.

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After Wembley, nobody, not even the proudest die-hard is taking what will happen over the 80 minutes for granted, particularly as the Red Devils are playing from the Hans Christian Andersen script.

Be under no illusions, Saints have to bring their regular league form – and then take it up a notch – if they are to take the trophy.

Messrs Walmsley and Thompson will have to bring their A game, the type that blew the Wigan pack off the park from the kick off a fortnight ago – and effectively forced them to realise their time as champs was up.

If Saints do that and go on to win, they will top off a remarkable transformation in the club’s fortunes since Justin Holbrook took over.

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The whole mood of the club has shifted since the likeable Australian took over in May 2017; it is not just been about winning matches and playing an entertaining brand of rugby.

Holbrook has healed divisions, restored faith, put a smile back on the town’s face and made us all walk with a spring in our step.

All that is missing is the big piece of silverware to stick on the sideboard – because without there will be nothing to mark this period. Two League Leaders Shields would be scant reward for the rugby we have seen in this period.

Last season, when Saints led from the front, but then fell short in the play-offs – Justin Holbrook took himself away to the Lake District to clear his head.

He may have wandered as lonely as a cloud, but when he returned back down the M6 he gave his staff and players the plan to build into this year, and so far it has worked.

Week-on-week they have got better, even picking themselves up when that shock Challenge Cup final defeat could have derailed them.

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But what happens on Saturday night makes those dark winter days in pre-season worthwhile – the punishing gym sessions, spewing up after the extra few thousand metres on the rowing machine and those sore bodies from early collisions.

There have been casualties on the way, most notably the horrific injury sustained by Matty Lees.

These players really have put their bodies on the line for the red vee.

After looking untouchable in the league, when fielding their top squad, Saints still need that final win to get that ultimate endorsement as champions – otherwise it will have been in vain.

But this is sport – it can be cruel at times, and anything can happen.

Be under no illusions, it will be US against the world tomorrow, with every man and his Wolf backing the Red Devils.

But we NEED this win more than anyone.

After the year Saints have had – no two and a bit years - we need to bounce into winter as champions to reward the type of rugby they have played and we have watched.

Some say we need it to send Justin Holbrook off a success, but let’s not stop there.

We need to win to reward James Roby – in his first Grand Final as captain - for his loyalty to his home town team with a third win, and not leave him burdened with the record for most final losses.

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We need it to cap Jonny Lomax’s season for another stellar season having overcome horrendous injuries in the middle of his career, including the one that kept him out of Saints’ last triumph.

The team deserves it for the way they have grafted for each other. but that is in their own hands.

But more than anything the fans and the town that supports this team desperately needs to see the men in the red vee running around Old Trafford tomorrow night with that big, ungainly lump of silver.

We need it desperately to stop the smile we have had on our faces all year turning into a frown.

Our proud town has been knocked about this past 40 years or so.

A lot of the industries that provided status, identity and - let's face it - reasonably paid blue collar jobs have gone or diminished.

Although we still have positive things happening in the town, the biggest standard bearer for St Helens remains our rugby team.

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Tomorrow night, roared on by thousands of loyal fans in Manchester and just as many at home or in the pubs, the Saints will once again take our town crest on to the big stage.

No pressure lads, but just do yourselves justice and bring it home.

Come on the S - let's have it!