Quote: MadDogg "St Helens
Wigan
Leeds
Hull KR
Catalans
Leigh
Huddersfield
Warrington
Hull
Salford
Castleford
London
I'm 50/50 on top spot. To me it feels like Saints are being written off a little by some - I personally think they'll have a very strong year. The reality is they finished joint top last year despite the WCC exploits and went down to the wire in two semi finals. Improving their attack will have been a priority in pre-season and if Dodd gets back to his best they'll be very dangerous. Wigan will be very strong as well - particularly as their squad depth is utilised when other sides begin to struggle. The front row will be very difficult to handle, confident that Harry Smith will go from strength to strength and French and Field are French and Field. The injury to Walters maybe exposes a weakness in the squad in the backrow though and I'm not convinced by Keighran's defensive capabilities. If there are no major injuries to key players, I'd be surprised if there isn't a Wigan v Saints GF.
Pretty confident that my top 5 clubs will end up in the 6 at the end of the year - Leeds and Hull KR have strong squads while Catalans may struggle adjusting to the loss of so much experience but will still have enough. Leigh and Huddersfield I'm less sure on - my instinct is that Hudds will improve a little with Adam Clune and Leigh will regress a little now teams are more aware of their threat. Tough to work out whether Warrington will be rocks or diamonds under Burgess but my gut tells me its a gamble that won't pay off. The concerning thing for SL this year is the lack of depth is more apparent than ever - Hull were poor yesterday, Salford's squad has been decimated, Castleford's recruitment has been uninspiring and London have a Championship squad with nothing to play for. Hopefully next year Wakefield will make an impact with their new ownership, Salford sort their stadium issues and Castleford/Hull begin to develop competitive squads.'"
I half agree about Saints. It wasn't long ago since they were head and shoulders above the rest of the comp, and their pride will be hurt after last season. I expect them to start next year like a house on fire and be top at Easter. I just think their depth will be their undoing. Four or five injuries really hurts them in a way that (on paper) it doesn't to us, so I see them falling away by the end of the year. I'd have them in third behind us and - whilst this might look daft in October - Wire.
