But news emerged yesterday that Zak Hardaker had been axed from Castleford’s squad for “a breach of club rules”, that all changed.
The odds on Leeds winning the title decider and claiming a record-extending eighth Old Trafford win shortened dramatically.
It said much for the importance of a player who has once again proved to be one of the finest talents in the game.
Having joined Daryl Powell’s side from Leeds at the start of the year, Hardaker has recaptured the form which saw him crowned Man of Steel during the Rhinos’ treble-winning campaign of 2015.
Yesterday he was dramatically thrown out of Castleford’s squad for their biggest game in the club’s 91-year history.
Perhaps the saddest thing of all is that it came as no surprise.
Hardaker’s latest indiscretion – which Castleford have yet to elaborate on but is believed to have placed his World Cup hopes in serious doubt – follows a long list of misdemeanours.
The 25-year-old full-back was stood down from the England squad during the 2013 World Cup for an unspecified breach of team discipline, which led to Leeds issuing him with a formal caution.
The following year he was suspended for five matches and fined £300 after being charged with making a homophobic insult during Leeds’ game against Warrington.
And in March 2015, Hardaker was detained and questioned by police over an alleged assault on a student in Leeds which saw him agree to pay £200 in compensation and write an apology to his victim.
Hardaker, who hails from Pontefract in West Yorkshire, has spoken publicly about his demons but recently insisted he had overcome them.
Last year, Hardaker suffered from depression following the loss of an unborn baby by his partner at the time.
It led him into a battle with alcohol and prescription drugs before a loan move to Australia to play for NRL side Penrith Panthers in the second half of last season aided his apparent rehabilitation.
At the end of the season, Hardaker returned to England and signed for Castleford and on Tuesday night, he was narrowly pipped to the 2017 Man of Steel award by team-mate Luke Gale.
A three-time Grand Final winner with Leeds, Hardaker told the Daily Express earlier this week: “This season couldn’t have gone much better but for me personally, as a journey, it has been terrific.
“It has been good for my family to see that and perhaps I am a bit of a changed man.
“I’ve still got some similarities but I’m a bit of an older head now. I know what to do and what not to do. I’m proud of myself.”
The latest entry on his charge sheet suggests that, for all his undeniable talent, he cannot stay out of trouble.
Hardaker’s absence this weekend will rob Castleford of their defensive fulcrum, a player noted for his speed and brilliance in attack.
It is a huge distraction for Powell and a reshuffle is likely to see Greg Eden shunted to full-back to accommodate Hardaker’s absence, with Jy Hitchcox and Joel Monaghan vying for contention for a wing spot.
Sky Sports pundit Brian Carney said: “It’s incredibly disappointing for this to happen just before a Grand Final which has been so eagerly anticipated.
“Zak Hardaker has been tremendous for Castleford and is an integral part of everything they do, so this is a hammer blow.
“You can’t win a Grand Final before you get to Old Trafford, but sometimes you can lose one in the week leading up to it.
“The absence of Hardaker will only play into Leeds’ hands and, no matter what Castleford Tigers do, the build-up to their game will be dominated by questions about Zak Hardaker – and all questions will be about his absence.”