Long: Grand Final Win The Greatest

Saints claimed a convincing 26-4 win over the East Yorkshire side at Old Trafford on Saturday evening to complete the treble of Powergen Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final.

And Long – who lifted the Lance Todd trophy in the cup final earlier this year – reckoned that his year’s win was better than any of their three previous Grand Final wins. 

Long said: "It is up there, probably better. There was a lot of pressure tonight. We started as favourites to win and there was a lot of pressure to go out there and deliver.

"We lifted to another level. Full credit to Hull but that was our best performance in a Grand Final."

Saints boss Daniel Anderson was very pleased after the win, after last year losing out in semi-finals in both the cup and Super League

"The whole year has been an absolute dream," said Anderson. "I can only hope I have the opportunity to coach a team as good this.

"We will see what happens in the future but I think I will regale stories about this team and bore people.

"I am absolutely stoked, but totally washed out from the preparation for it and the emotion of the game. It blew me away."

Full-back Paul Wellens collected the Harry Sunderland trophy as man of the match after an excellent performance, to add to the Man of Steel award he picked upearlier in the week.

But Wellens, after a season of individual success, chose to pay tribute to his team mates and the rest of the club.

Wellens said: "The award is right up there as some great players have won it and it is steeped in history.

"But it would be unfair to receive the awards without mentioning the fantastic team and the fantastic coaching staff."