Leeds 44 - Widnes 22: Hosts continue resurgence after Brian McDermott admission
McDermott voiced his opinion in early March, just a week after the Rhinos had been stuffed 66-10 at Castleford – their heaviest Super League defeat.
Since that televised humiliation, Leeds have been virtually unstoppable and yesterday’s first-half dismantling of lowly Widnes ensured a sixth win from seven games, taking them joint top of the table.
Having won 52-24 at Hull on Good Friday, McDermott could reflect on a successful Easter, a notoriously gruelling period during which players are forced to put their aching limbs on the line for a second time in four days.
McDermott, who led Leeds to the treble in 2015, said: “You don’t normally speak in post-match press conferences about a desire to get to a Grand Final, but I don’t mind saying it.
“It’s making it public because unashamedly that is what we want to do. We want to do the treble – that’s our goal.
“We realise it’s a big call, we know that more than anyone, so to have any chance of sounding credible when you mention it then you have to keep on putting in performances so you don’t sound like a madman.