ON-LOAN Giants half-back Gregg McNally will be hoping to finish his season on a high.

The 19-year-old former Whitehaven ace heads into tomorrow’s Co-operative Championship I Grand Final against York City Knights at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in top form.

The Huddersfield Super League squad man, who moved to the Galpharm for the start of this season, produced a stunning man-of-the-match display in Oldham’s 41-32 semi-final triumph over York two weeks ago.

York bounced back from that setback a week later with a 38-18 victory over Blackpool Panthers to set up this weekend’s re-match.

But that earlier Oldham victory makes them the favourites to lift the trophy after missing out to Keighley Cougars in last year’s final, with McNally once again expected to provide the inspiration.

However, McNally isn’t the only player in this contest to be of interest to Giants fans.

Playing alongside the former England Academy scrum half will be the vastly-experienced Marcus St Hilaire, while leading the York side will be ex-Giants captain Chris Thorman.

Rob Burrow insists Leeds can overcome the loss of his half-back partner as they today look to continue their defence of the Super League crown they have held since 2007.

The Rhinos will be in the rare position of underdogs when they host Wigan in the second semi-final, despite gaining a thrilling 27-26 victory over the Warriors in their opening play-off tie a fortnight ago.

The champions lost the in-form Danny McGuire in the closing stages of that dramatic tie at the DW Stadium and, with nine tries in his last six matches, he leaves a massive hole in the Rhinos’ attack.

It was the latest body blow for Leeds, who lost England prop Jamie Peacock with a similar season-ending knee injury in the build-up to last month’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington.