Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Fri Oct 25, 2024 3:15 pm
Stu M wrote:
HKR and Warrington I'll give you but you can also argue that the Catalan of 21-23 were much stronger and really dropped off this year. That 2021 Catalan side that we beat in the GF was a good one and we only just won that game.
That's true enough. Generally I think the standard of the sides has been pretty poor for a while. Saints had that period of domination and nobody could put a regular challenge together year in, year out. We've had a couple of years now and I do think we've been pushed a bit harder in general but again there isn't a stand out side that you're unsure if Wigan can get over the top of at their very best.
What the league could do with us 3 or 4 sides to hit that level Saints reached or Wigan have hit over a sustained period, to then build those rivalries that are fierce and where you genuinely have no idea who the favourites are in the biggest games. I'm not sure we've had a Grand Final where you hand on heart couldn't call it for years now. Any team can always lose a game on the day but you've known who the favourites are. As I say, I do think there some signs of improvement via HKR, Warrington and Catalans again look strong for 2025. You'd also imagine there will be some improvement in Saints and they'll always be there or thereabouts. Leeds look to be really trying to change things up as well and Arthur will have them well drilled and Salford and Leigh are making decent moves, so it won't be straightforward. Hopefully for the games sake, a few sides really kick on and make it a free for all come the end of the season.
