Castleford Tigers 6 Leeds Rhinos 24: Grand Final player ratings

Rugby league writer Dave Craven was at Old Trafford and analysed the performances from both teams:
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Oct 2017, 09:00 BST
Updated 12th Dec 2017, 08:19 BST
Rhinos teenager Jack Walker makes a dart forwardRhinos teenager Jack Walker makes a dart forward
Rhinos teenager Jack Walker makes a dart forward

LEEDS RHINOS

Jack Walker - What an assured display from the 18-year-old. Excellent 8

Tom Briscoe - He loves a final try. Two more here, nearly three, and up to 150 in career 7

Man of the match Danny McGuire crosses for the first of two triesMan of the match Danny McGuire crosses for the first of two tries
Man of the match Danny McGuire crosses for the first of two tries
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Kallum Watkins - Had a real battle with Shenton, kept him in check 7

Liam Sutcliffe - Made some useful carries and looked the part at centre 7

Ryan Hall - Solid enough aside from one handling error 7

Joel Moon - Has really made that six spot his own. Will he stay there? 8

The Leeds squad celebrate Tom Briscoe's opening scoreThe Leeds squad celebrate Tom Briscoe's opening score
The Leeds squad celebrate Tom Briscoe's opening score

Danny McGuire - Man-of-the-match with a vintage display. Leeds legend. 9

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Brad Singleton - Met Cas head on early on as they dug it out in his 150th career appearance 7

Matt Parcell - Capped a great debut year with a fine OT display 8

Mitch Garbutt - The Australian was a force in both his stints 8

Man of the match Danny McGuire crosses for the first of two triesMan of the match Danny McGuire crosses for the first of two tries
Man of the match Danny McGuire crosses for the first of two tries

Jamie Jones-Buchanan - Did all the usual hit-ups and tackles. Still going strong 7

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Stevie Ward - A story all on his own; how did he play so well days after shoulder dislocation? Machine 8

Adam Cuthbertson - Cut short by injury midway through first half but bounced back 6

Subs

The Leeds squad celebrate Tom Briscoe's opening scoreThe Leeds squad celebrate Tom Briscoe's opening score
The Leeds squad celebrate Tom Briscoe's opening score

Rob Burrow - Just a 17 minute cameo but bows out a winner again 7

Carl Ablett - Got caught up in some niggle but battling as ever 7

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Brett Ferres - made instant impact in his first Grand Final, earning a drop-out with first play 7

Anthony Mullally - what a transfrmation for ex-Huddersfield prop this term. Held his own in a fine forward effort.

CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Greg Eden - Adapted okay after Hardaker omission 6

Greg Minikin - One glaring error 5

Jake Webster - Did not got many chances 6

Michael Shenton - Kept battling on but couldn't prevent collapse 6

Jy Hitchcox - Had few chances to shine after his surprise call-up 6

Benny Roberts - Never sparked anything for his side 5

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Luke Gale - Will be bitterly disappointed with his kicking display

Nathan Massey - Did his usual hard work up front 6

Paul McShane - Parcell got the better of him at nine 6

Jesse Sene-Lefao - Tried but out-muscled by Leeds pack 5

Oli Holmes - Back from injury and defended well 6

Mike McMeeken - Tried hard but wasn't his ususal explsive self 6

Adam Milner - Couple of costly errors 5

Subs

Matt Cook - made a real strong impact in first half 7

Grant Millington - well contolled by the Leeds middle 6

Junior Moors - made a rash of errors 5

Alex Foster - at least he got a Grand Final try 6

Referee: James Child - officiated really well. One of his best displays. 7

Related topics:Castleford TigersLeeds RhinosOld Trafford