Leeds Rhinos have spent the majority of the Super League season flying high. They have spent the majority of it in top spot. Heading into crunch time, they finished second on the back of two sobering defeats.
In what was effectively the battle for the League Leaders' Shield, Wigan Warriors wiped the floor with Leeds in a 40-8 drubbing.
Wigan then completed the formality and wrapped up the domestic double with a 50-12 win over Catalans, keeping a treble firmly in their sights.
Meanwhile, Leeds finished with an 18-12 loss to Hull FC who will finish the season in 11th. It is not the time to run out of steam - Leeds now have a week's rest to figure out how to reset, recharge, and head into the semi-finals reinvigorated.
They will know who they face once Wakefield Trinity play Leigh Leopards on Friday September 18 and Warrington Wolves face Hull KR on Saturday September 19 in the Eliminators, live on Your Site.
They need to welcome their semi-final opponent to Headingley and make them feel like they are entering a fortress.
Leeds head coach Brad Arthur admitted that very element was missing in Round 27 and said it was simply "not good enough".
"We were a bit erratic at times. Some of our skill with the ball was very poor," Arthur said.
"We created more than enough opportunities. More than enough field position. Our forwards did more than enough on our edges and we were poor on our edges without execution."
It is clear that Arthur knows what the issues are but is there an easy fix?
He believes that will be down to individuals stepping things up and making sure, for one final time in 2026, that Headingley is too tough for whoever has to visit to ensure Leeds make it to Old Trafford for the first time since 2022.
"It's an individual thing. Our skill was poor. We created enough chances and had enough field position," he added.
"We have two weeks, new competition. But we're not happy with our performances at home. Not good enough. This place needs to be a tough place to come and play."
One thing that is key in sport is confidence. Leeds have had that in abundance until they have not.
It is a frailty laid bare by meeting a team who have been there, done that, and got the t-shirt in Wigan.
Leeds have not walked the walk in a very long time, their last Grand Final win coming back in 2017, and it is now "concerning" that they have not bounced back and that their coach believes it is a "skill and execution" issue.
"Leeds have strutted through the season with the confidence of looking like champions and feeling like champions," said Your Site Rugby League's Jon Wilkin.
"Last week I saw vulnerability and a weakness exposed by Wigan, who went straight over the top of them and said: 'You might well believe you're the business, but you're not'.
"It's just not happened for them. It's concerning.
"Wigan have got a deep confidence and history of being near the top. I don't think Leeds have got that yet. A champion team would react to such a humbling defeat to Wigan. Not only that, but I just don't think you get beaten so comprehensively."
"What will be a worry is Brad Arthur has highlighted skill and execution, saying that's the problem," added Sam Tomkins.
"That's the reason why they've been top for so long, they were good at the start, but they've not had it in the last month.
"If their execution is off and their skill and edge is off, that's what they hang their hat on. I think It's a worry. It's not an easy fix and there will be questions asked and it will be a tough couple of weeks."
Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, KO 8pm on Your Site
Saturday September 19, Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, KO 5:30pm on Your Site
Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25, Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8pm KO on Your Site
Semi-Final 2 - Saturday 26 September, Wigan Warriors v TBC, 5.30pm KO on Your Site
The Super League play-offs begin on Friday September 18, live on Your Site, and continues all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.
