Gemma Kay
Former York Valkyrie player on BBC Radio York

Izzy Brennan has taken being part of this York first team squad by the scruff of the neck.

She's a fantastic talent.

Phoebe Hook coughs up a high ball deep in St Helens' defensive area and it is good position for York to launch an attack.

But centre Manuqalo Komaitai drops the ball and knocks on as they move it across the line and the ball has to be handed over.

A few nerves and a bit of grease on the ball can be a lethal combination.

York do well to hold up the St Helens opening set of six, before Georgie Hetherington makes a brilliant burst through the defence.

She is held up less than 10 metres from the line, but York can't take advantage as they knock on.

A show of intent from the Yorkshire club.

Image source, SWPix

The formalities are over. Any nerves must quickly disappear.

Let's play!

A strong line-up for St Helens includes the top try-scorer in Super League in Leah Burke, top points scorer Faye Gaskin and of course, captain, the brilliant Jodie Cunningham.

St Helens: Salihi, Hook, E. Stott, Woosey, Burke, Harris, Gaskin; Whitfield, Jones, Crowl, Rudge, Travis, Cunningham.

Interchanges: N. Williams, D. Stott, Mottershead, M. Williams.

York Valkyrie will rely heavily on eight of their players who played in their Grand Final success 12 months ago, while there is only one change from their semi-final win at Leeds Rhinos with Manuqalo Komaitai back in for Remi Wilton, who drops to the bench.

York Valkyrie: Hetherington, Roberts, Komaitai, Parker, Partington, Rihari, Renouf; Wood, Brennan, Bell, Owen, Andrade, Pakulis.

Interchanges: Marshall, Gentles, Sharp, Wilton.

Image source, SWPix

St Helens finished four points clear at the top of the Super League table after 14 rounds, with most wins, most points scored and fewest conceded.

Their only defeat came back in April when they went down 20-16 to today's opponents, York Valkyrie.

The return fixture in July was equally close with the Red Vee victors 10-6 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Hopefully those encounters indicate that we have a close contest today worthy of a Grand Final.

Gemma Kay
Former York Valkyrie player on BBC Radio York

York are going to have to pull in everything that they have got left in the tank from the rest of this season. They've got to pull it out of the bag today.

York's forwards have got to build confidence from this side today. I think their forwards a little bit marginally better than St Helens' but the wings they might struggle with.

But looking at them players that are in the wing and centre position, I think that they are going to give St Helens a really tough opposition this afternoon.

Armani Sharrock
Warrington Wolves Women head coach on BBC Radio Merseyside

It should be exciting, I'm just watching both teams warm up and both look ready to go.

It should be spectacle for the neutral.

I'd say Saints are the favourites, they've been the most consistent this year but we can't overlook the fact that the only team to beat them have been York this season.

They ran them close in that fixture back in July so it's going to be really tight but I think that Saints have just got that bit of extra flair to take them over them over the line.

Image source, SWPix

Successive defeats in July put paid to York Valkyrie's hopes of finishing top in the regular season.

But last year's champions regrouped and have reeled off six straight wins to put themselves in the Grand Final, including a 12-10 win away to Leeds Rhinos in the semi-final.

The Valkyrie will need something similar this afternoon to beat St Helens in their own backyard.

But they can do it, because that's what champions must do.

The women's game in 2024 has been all about St Helens.

In June, they won a fourth successive Challenge Cup with a brutal 22-0 shutout of Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.

Last month, they wrapped up the League Leaders' Shield with a game to spare on the back of 12 straight victories and saw off old foes Wigan Warriors in the play-off semi-final.

And to top it all, they have home advantage in today's Grand Final.

Image source, SWPix

The Women's Super League comes down to 80 minutes.

St Helens want to complete the treble of Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and Champions.

York Valkyrie want to become the first side to retain the Super League crown.

Something has to give!