Jon Wilkin column

The engage Super League play-offs have already thrown up copious amounts of drama and tension.

Wigan's very impressive comeback against Bradford clearly demonstrates that teams can never take things for granted and must always play to the final whistle.

I'm sure the Bradford players will be cursing missed opportunities, but their failure will ensure they are motivated for next season.

When you finish a season on a negative note, especially when you appear to have a game won, the bitter aftertaste can last for a very long time.

I was trying to remember what rugby league was like before the Super League play-offs and Grand Final.

My memories consist mostly of Wigan collecting the trophy with weeks to go, which, if you weren't a fan, was very tedious.

In my view, the new system has improved the game as a spectacle but shortened the life expectancy of many coaches and players in the process.

Like a tree growing an extra ring for every year that passes, so players develop added wrinkles every time their season reaches a climax.

This theory works for most players, apart from my Saints team-mate Willie Talau. His strict regime of moisturising, facials and botox ensures he looks a stress-free 31!

One of the scariest things for a rugby league player at this time of year is that your season can come to a juddering halt at the end of 80 minutes.

A team can play well all year, make the play-offs but then suddenly find themselves out of the competition.

The threat of failure is what motivates teams to perform in the games which really count.

After all, the big games are the ones which define a career and the public's perception of you as an athlete.

At Saints, we are committed to producing big performances when it matters.

We are also committed to talking rubbish every day when we gather for lunch.

Over a cup of tea and the occasional bourbon, we will discuss topics that are really relevant to the modern world.

Such as:

Is the world really spherical or are we being hoodwinked by science?

Does a pizza which advertises "10% meat" mean the whole pizza comprises of 10% meat or the meat on the pizza is only made up of 10% meat?

Believe it or not, the second of those questions has caused a rift at the club.

I love being in a large group of like-minded young men, sitting back talking rubbish without a care in the world.

It helps take our minds off rugby. I know it's our job but living, playing and discussing rugby all the time can become boring!

Source: BBC Sport