In the other 2 sub-divisions, 3 of the 4 semi-finalists are already pretty much bolted on (Leeds, Wigan & Saints/Fev, Dewsbury & London), so any "excitement" is going to have to come from the middle 8 comp!

Widnes (2015 average 6,234) at Home:
HKR, Leigh, Salford and Sheffield.

HKR (8,026) at Home:
Bradford, Salford, Wakefield and Halifax

Leigh (3,787) at Home:
HKR, Bradford, Wakefield and Sheffield

Bradford (5,222) at Home:
Widnes, Salford, Sheffield and Halifax.

Salford (4,211) at Home:
Leigh, Wakefield and Sheffield

Wakefield (4,303) at Home:
Widnes, Bradford and Halifax

Sheffield (1,146) at Home:
HKR, Wakefield and Halifax

Halifax (1,973) at Home:
Widnes, Leigh and Salford.

If all the above games attract the average crowds for the season, then that's 127,975 fans attending 28 games at an average of 4,570. Key to the RFL being able to spin this as a success, the scheduling of matches is going to be key.

The SL clubs are unlikely to achieve their 2015 average since their average is boosted by games against "bigger" clubs.

Leigh will probably get some crowds in excess of their average but I doubt games against Widnes and Salford are going to hugely increase Bradfords crowds and I don't think Fax or Sheffield are capable of increasing their average that much.

So you'll probably see "below average" attendances because the SL clubs are playing "below average" clubs.

I was thinking the same about Leigh. They could well get close to a full house for both the Bradford and the Wakefield games, as they are both key to Leigh making SL or at least the Million Pound game.
I'd like to see the RFL schedule Sheffield v HKR first up. I don't think HKR fans will travel in big numbers if they are already safe.....
Leigh v Wakefield 9TV), Bradford v Widnes and Fax v Salford for the first weekend......with the SL clubs at home the next week.

HKR are by no means safe and could quite easily be relegated. There are some tough matches in that middle 8. The key for us will be to win all our home games. If we don't its Championship Rugby next year. I would rather we didn't have the distraction of the cup to worry about.

Starbug here

I expect Leigh's total home attendances for the middle 8 games to top 25K , with the 1 st match bing Wakey on sat week on SKY

Should be a great league and certainly the most interesting, i'm glad Sky are showing one game a week, still think Salford, Rovers and Widnes have to much quality not to finish in the top 3, this obviously depends on injuries to key players and if Rovers win on Saturday.

This is how I think it will finish

Widnes
Rovers
Salford
Leigh
Wakey
Bradford
Halifax
Sheffeild.

Widnes, Hull KR and Salford are just out and out better than all the other sides. However, I reckon Leigh will pick off at least one of those if not more. They are like men possessed.

You didn't understand what was said from your response, there was no mention of the liklihood(or not) of you being relegated merely that by stating " Already safe", the suggestion was that if the games previous to a Sheffield game meant you were secure you would be less likely to travel to a dead rubber in any numbers. A game such as the Sheffield one might attract more away supporters if the end outcome was not already secured (Already safe)

SL next year will be the same clubs as this year.

Leigh had no 'local derbies'...only Bradford brought over 500 fans

But you might get a lot of people coming back because the games mean something. Wakey fans have been waiting for the Middle 8's (although there is admittedly an irony in waiting for the part of the season that determines whether you stay in a league you won't bother watching, because the important bit is waiting for the part of the season that determines whether you stay in the league that you won't bother watching, etc).

Widnes v Leigh will be a cracker. Wonder if the Leigh Pig will come out of the tunnel on his motorbike to the rapturous 2k Leythers in the away end...like the good old days of the NFP. I must say, Challenge Cup aside, I've not been more excited about Widnes' leagues games since they were first promoted to Super League in 2002


'

That's great planning Leigh v KR first game at LSV

I'd imagine attendances will end up over all.

Last year the rest of SL only had 2 more matches against London with no away following and Bradford with limited away following.

So the top 8 should improve their averages and the middle 8's should at least start interesting. The question like always is can the clubs market themselves or are they just relying on the same people to turn up just because the system has changed.

Really Slugger? You won't bother watching if we go down? Are you sure? If so, goodbye and shut the door!

You misunderstand me (or maybe I didn't make my point well enough).

I was alluding to the fact that crowds have dropped off as it became apparent that the only thing that mattered this year is the middle 8's. So the irony is that we will get all excited about the part of the season that determines whether we will stay in Super League, but then we won't bother watching the Super League we are all excited about staying in, because the middle 8's is the important bit for us, ad infinitum. If you get my drift.

There's an argument that the Championship would be more exciting, as every week is about trying to get into something, where every result counts. For us at the moment, the likeliest thing for a few years is that we settle for the middle 8's every time and twiddle our thumbs until August.

Just can't agree with that..

Both Leigh & Bradford travel in considerable numbers & will take 3 > 4,000 to most away venues.
Bradford will double Wakefields home average on their visit, Leigh will double Salfords home average & increase on Widnes home average.
Halifax will blow their home averages to bits in all their home fixtures & have a smaller increase in travelling numbers.

This only leaves Sheffield who really do not have many fans at all, they will see a smaller marginal increase to home gates but hardly contribute at all on away days.

I think it is fair to say that we might see some 10k + crowds at both Leigh & Bradford who together make every other club *with the exception of KR* look insignificant in terms of fan base.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Leigh v Bradford game at the LSV in September was a sell-out, with us filling your away end.

I'm pretty sure,you filled our away end in the first game this season.And yes I would say a sell out is on the cards.

Widnes have an insignificant fan base? That is very harsh.

We've had a better home and away attendance than Leigh for as long as I can remember and a lot of that time we were in the same division. Don't get carried away with talk of 10k crowds.

Widnes have an insignificant fan base? That is very harsh.

We've had a better home and away attendance than Leigh for as long as I can remember and a lot of that time we were in the same division. Don't get carried away with talk of 10k crowds.

Even in the Super League Bradford never brought a 5th of the figure you've quoted to Craven Park. As for Leigh if they even brought 3000 they'd be the biggest away supported club to visit Hull KR this year, That includes the support of Hull FC which it always woeful.

No chance Leigh will take anywhere near to 3-4k to any away game in the 8's, let alone 'most'. Oh how I have missed these Leigh fans and they're exaggeration of their support.

I guess we'll soon see anyway, the away end at Salford holds 2,500 so I will expect to see Leigh fill this and then take over some of the East.

Expect to see it then! Leigh will take 3,000 to Salford,easy.

The last game against Widnes could decide wether we go up automatic,so again we would easy take 3-4,000.

The Halifax game,i don't think we will take them numbers,but a good following none the less,mind you i wouldn't expect to see you holding your hand up on here if we did pack out your ground,you gave this board a wide swerve after the challenge cup game,which you said you would win easily

Bradford and Leigh will basically take their home support away?
that is some boast, i look forward to Wakefield,Widnes,Sheffield,Hull KR,Halifax and Salford crowds doubling then, great if true but sadly i can't see it.