Saints

Leeds
Cats
Wire
Wigan
Brad
Hull FC
Hull KR

Hudds
Wakey
Cas
Quins
Celtic
Salford

Wakey/Cas/Quins could well be swapped around, Hudds could well finish above that, think the top 6 is not far off and any team from 6 down could finish in the 8 with some luck and a following wind.

Wouldn't disagree except for Catalan. I'm not sure that they'll have the season they had this year, and the teams might have worked out how to travel there and still be refreshed.

Leeds
Saints
Wigan
Bradford
Wire
Les Cats
Hull FC
Hudds
Hull KR
Trinity
Cas
Quins
Celtic
Salford

Is my guess at the moment.

I think the positions from 11th-8th will be very close and could easily be any of the teams.

I think the loss of Potter at Cats will be very harmfull, but i also think the loss of Anderson as Saints will harm them, so i would not be suprised to see them slip away to around fourth.

Bradford for me may well suprise a few and id have them as a darkhorse for the entire thing if they can keep the pack fit.

If Wigan manage to bring in a quality 6 and Prop as is rumoured they could push for second, Wire will again underachieve.

Hudds i think will improve significantly Carney and Hodgson are 2 world class players in key positions and Brown is a very good coach.

I think Salford are stronger than Celtic are on paper but i think the trip to Bridgend will be a difficult one for most clubs which could see them just pip Salford for 13th.

Saints
Leeds
Wigan
Brad
Hull FC
Wire
Cas
Hudds
Wakey
Cats
Hull KR
Quins
Salford
Celtic

Leeds Will be champs for a while mi thinks
Wigan
Saints
Wire
Hudds
Brad
Wakey Will surprise some teams as usual
Cas
Hull FC
Hull KR
Cats
Quins
Salford
Celtic

1:Saints
2:Leeds
3:Wigan
4:Warrington
5:Bradford
6:Hull Fc
7:Hull KR
8:Huddersfield
9:Catalans
10:Harlequins
11:Wakefield
12:Castleford
13:Salford
14:Celtic

WCC winners: Manly


CC Winners: Saints <harder to predict the loser due to the free draw, but i'll take a guess at Wigan>
GF Winners: Leeds Rhinos <Against Saints again, why finish 1st when you can win it from 2nd?>

1. Leeds
2. Wigan
3. Saints
4. Catalan
5. Warrington
6. Huddersfield
7. Bradford
8. Hull FC
9. Wakefield
10. Hull KR
11. Harlequins
12. Castleford
13. Salford
14. Celtic



I feel Bradford could be this seasons big under-achievers and even struggle to make the top 8.


Still unsure on whether Wires can play as an effective unit to break into top 4.


No reason why Wakey can't be in the mix challenging for the top 8.

I think the opposite about Bradford this time round. Think they have just about the best pack in the league and a top drawer import in Beaver - if Jeffries decides he fancies it behind them I can see them potentially going all the way.

You really don't think Cas have strengthened sufficiently to progress slightly?

14th. Shudds.


Not really bothered about the rest.

Hope your right

I think there is always a danger that if you bring in too many new players it takes a long time for a team to gel. I think KR were a prime example of that. I do think that Cas will be a lot tougher to beat this season but apart from Quins, who I think will suffer through the loss of Paul, Hill and Mclinden, I can't seem them getting higher than any other team on paper.
Though there is always a possibility that an unexpected team, like Hull and Shudds last season, will slip down there.

Leeds
Wigan
Saints
Wire
Hull FC
Bradford
Cas


Hudds
Trinity
Les Cats
Hull KR
Quins
Celtic
Salford

This is the first time in 5 years that Cas have had the opportunity to start a season on a level playing field regards squad building, pre season training ect.

Cas started to improve in the final 3rd of 2008, it took time after some very heavy and embarrassing defeats, but Matterson gave a few indications he was getting it right at long last.

Personally I think Cas's squad for 2009 has much more strength-in-depth and quality than previous seasons and I'd like to think we're in that group that can push for lower play-off spot.

True.

It'll be a novelty starting a SL season without being nailed on favourites for the wooden spoon.

I would add that you deserve it after a few years of struggle.

Bump

this was before we 1st played wigan ......can we do it?



[size=200=redYES WE CAN![/size

When I saw it I thought Al had gone mad talking about league table for next season

Big Haywire on the money again......

Glad I read the thread through first before jumping in. How embarassing it would have been

having to apologise to Jonh