SIX weeks ago, Giants coach Nathan Brown would never have predicted it.

But tonight, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens will line up at Old Trafford for the Super League XVI Grand Final (6.00).

Like the vast majority of others, Brown was expecting to be watching minor 2011 champions Warrington Wolves and reigning Super League champions Wigan Warriors taking centre stage at the Theatre of Dreams.

After all, these two have dominated the competition, with Warrington finishing one League point ahead of second-placed Wigan, who in turn were a full six points clear of St Helens in third.

But when push came to shove, Saints and fifth-placed Leeds called on all their play-off experience to defy the odds and set up a 2011 Grand Final showdown that has left so many stunned.

Seeing the same two sides in action is something that doesn’t sit too comfortably with Brown, who knows this sort of scenario wouldn’t be the case back in his native Australia.

Yet he does feel the 2011 Saints-Rhinos story does give many of the other Super League sides something to aspire to.

“Six weeks ago I never thought it would be these two teams in the Grand Final, and I don’t think | was alone in that,” admitted Brown.

“I was surprised Warrington didn’t get there, because they’ve clearly been the best side in the competition this year, and I’m sure everyone who’s played against them would agree with that. In that sense, I feel sorry for them.

“But what St Helens and Leeds have done to battle their way through to the final is something that has impressed everyone, and what they have achieved is something we should all aspire to.

“Despite changes of coach and player personnel, as well as major injury issues which do affect clubs in the competition, these two have always battled through adversity and continued to be major forces.

“I personally don’t think it’s healthy for a competition to be dominated by so few clubs year after year after year. It’s something that happens in a lot of sports here, whether it’s our game, football or rugby union.

“In Australia, it’s a different story, especially in League, where so many different clubs have been involved in the NRL Grand Final, which is the way it should be.

“But I still believe tonight could be a fantastic occasion and a cracking game.”

So who does Brown think will triumph?

“Trying to pick a winner this time around is a tough one,” added Brown, whose Giants have suffered two home defeats to the Rhinos in the past month (in the final League game of the regular season and then in the play-offs).

“But if I had to choose, I’d probably go for St Helens – just.

“The form of both sides over the past 10 weeks has been excellent. They had their injury problems at the start of the year, but they’re well and truly behind them now.

“This makes for a fascinating and evenly-contest final, which is what every neutral wants to see.

“But with St Helens having suffered so much Grand Final heartache over the past few years, I really do think they’ll have that extra bit of hunger and desire to do it.”