So, the grand final, for the 4th time in the last 5 years is Saint Helens vs Leeds. On the base of it, that looks poor for the game. But this year, the fact Saints came from 3rd and Leeds came from 5th (rather than 1st vs 2nd again) can only be a good thing, right?

All depends on the type or quality of rugby offered, teams like Catalans, Warrington, Leeds or St Helens there is a decent chance of open flowing rugby. Where as Wigan and Huddersfield offer a stifling game based on slow play the balls and kicking to gain pressure.
I think everyone wanted a final with Warrington in it, but the end of the day they are not good enough to get there, maybe the RFL will introduce a handicap system next season for Leeds and St Helens so that the two teams are in a knock out eliminator phase.

What is good is that this year, each of the three trophies will be won by different teams.

Ridiculous that Saints are in 6 in a row but it shouldn't have any negative effect on the game. Just think of football, the same teams win most leagues almost every year and most leagues are only a 2-4 horse race in reality.

These things go in cycles.

Its good for the game that teams finishing outside of the top 2 are contesting the final - shows the league is more competitive. However, plenty of outsiders will say its a farce that neither of the 2 standout teams throughout the league season are going to end up as champions.

It would be good for the game if Saints didn't need to win the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final and the engage Grand Final,in order to almost break even.

Who cares what outsiders think? If Hull, Catalans, Huddersfield and/or Hull KR had battled their way through to the Grand Final I doubt we'd be suggesting it could be a negative.

No it's cr4p and shows what a farce the salary cap is. C#Top clubs moan that there isn't the intensity week in week out then (allegedly) find ways to ensure they build a much stronger squad than anyone else with tighter wallets.

Do they?

I am deeply in admiration of very rich people who can afford to employ very dodgy accountants.

No I'm not.

Were I cynical, I'd say they are ruining the game. I'm not because I can see how they're bringing more money into the game.

Agree

The whole playoff format needs looking at IMO, but Saints and Leeds deserve to contest the final as the have won all the games that they needed too.

Leeds and Saints derserve to contest the final because they have won their games fair and square. But the Grand Finals winners are not necessarily the best and deserving champions.