Bulls prop Neil Harmon is determined to dump home-town club St Helens out of the play-offs and silence the doubters who are making his side rank outsiders to hang on to their Super League crown.

Harmon, who chalked up his first try for the Bulls in a storming performance against Salford last week, will play a key role in softening up the Saints pack at Knowsley Road tomorrow night, and is relishing the prospect.

"I like playing at Saints, and an extra incentive is that my family will be there, as well as a few mates," said Harmon, who is bidding to make the most of his chance to reach Old Trafford after spending the majority of the season at Huddersfield looking up at the rest.

"Saints are a good side with plenty of quality players, but so are we. Harvey Howard has strengthened us up front and come tomorrow night we will be ready to go," said Harmon.

"Every player wants to get to Old Trafford, and we at Brad-ford will have to do it the hard way, but we intend to."

Elliott was making final checks on Stuart Spruce , Brian McDermott and Mike Forshaw today before finalising his line-up.

"There are three such key players that I am giving them extra time to prove their fitness.

"It's not a matter of keeping Saints guessing. The only person who is guessing at the moment is me."

Despite that, Elliott is happy with preparations, and says: "It is the most important game of the season and what we have been working for right from the start. If we lose, our season is over and I intend to keep it going for a few more weeks."

Meanwhile, Forshaw has been handed a boost ahead of the big clash by being nominated for the Tesco Rugby League Writers' Association player-of-the-year award, to be named on October 12.

Others in the running include Saints winger Antony Sullivan, Kris Radlinski (Wigan), Iestyn Harris (Leeds), Danny Farrar (Warrington), Gavin Clinch (Halifax) and Paul Broadbent (Sheffield).

lFans can link-up with skipper Graeme Bradley on the Bulls Internet site today (4pm-6pm).

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