Teams Improving Next Year : Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:44 pm  

Just taking a look at some of the match reports from yesterday in particular the Hull game where Lauaki and Moa apparently made a huge impact off the bench.

Thinking about Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O'Mealey's imminent arrival along with Sean Long who will be added to the Jordan Tansey, the fit again Tom Briscoe and a resurgent Craig Hall.

Hull, if they avoid injuries, should have a very handy side next year and will certainly be up there challenging in the play-offs.

Bradford are currently proving that with a few astute signings they still have a team which is capable of making the play-offs, surely they can't suffer from such underachievement two years running.

Warrington look like missing out on the top eight as a direct result of their ridiculously poor start under James Lowes. With a full preseason to work with his players, Tony Smith will surely get Warrington into the play-offs next year.

At Wakefield we've signed Shane Tronc, Terry Newton, Glenn Morrison and apparently Daryl Millard. If we can avoid a raft of injuries then we also could be better placed to once again make the top eight.

Unfortunately eleven into eight won't go, so something will have to give!

If we thought this year was competitive then next year could be twice as such.

: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:56 pm  

Which is what, as a competition, the RFL have being aiming for. Ideally it needs to be 14 into 8 won’t go.

As soon as the more established clubs can not take the league fixtures for granted knowing they are likely to feature in the play offs regardless of how they play the more intense the competition will become.

Many of the Leeds support have commented that the Rhinos have been in second gear for most of the season. No they’re winding up to full tilt now the play offs are here. For the league to become stronger this needs to stop.

: Mon Aug 24, 2009 5:16 pm  

Khlav Kalash wrote:

Many of the Leeds support have commented that the Rhinos have been in second gear for most of the season.

The Rhinos fans will be using that as an excuse for many seasons to come then, because i for one think the 'big 4' is now extinct and the 'lesser' teams are catching up.

Take us, Hull Kr and Huddersfield for example...its not so long since KR was in the 1st division and us and huddersfield were well and truly in the bottom 4....

All 3 are now in the top 6, 2 of which are in the top 4...1 of which is in the challenge cup final.

I think next season could see a 'big club' fall outside of the top 4 and i think it could be saints !

Teams Improving Next Year. : Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:47 am  

Anything that stops Saints & Leeds "coasting" into the play-offs, ( and Bulls & Wigan thinking they can) will only improve the overall standard of the league. The reduction in quota players has also helped to even the competition out, as well as presenting more opportunities for home-grown players. Well done JK for realising this early and giving us a head-start (and a play-off spot!).

[PopTart]

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:01 pm  

BelleVueLifer wrote:

The Rhinos fans will be using that as an excuse for many seasons to come then, because i for one think the 'big 4' is now extinct and the 'lesser' teams are catching up.

Take us, Hull Kr and Huddersfield for example...its not so long since KR was in the 1st division and us and huddersfield were well and truly in the bottom 4....

All 3 are now in the top 6, 2 of which are in the top 4...1 of which is in the challenge cup final.

I think next season could see a 'big club' fall outside of the top 4 and i think it could be saints !

Not sure why you say "Next season". The big four was Leeds, Sts, Wigan and Bradford......only two of those will be in the top four, one likely to be 8th at best.

Re: Teams Improving Next Year : Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:34 pm  

The Clan wrote:

Just taking a look at some of the match reports from yesterday in particular the Hull game where Lauaki and Moa apparently made a huge impact off the bench.

Thinking about Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O'Mealey's imminent arrival along with Sean Long who will be added to the Jordan Tansey, the fit again Tom Briscoe and a resurgent Craig Hall.

Hull, if they avoid injuries, should have a very handy side next year and will certainly be up there challenging in the play-offs.

was thinking that this time last year , Hull will come good again but i think its time for auntie Cathy to come up with some better strategies

Bradford are currently proving that with a few astute signings they still have a team which is capable of making the play-offs, surely they can't suffer from such underachievement two years running.

but can they be a force with mcnamara?

Warrington look like missing out on the top eight as a direct result of their ridiculously poor start under James Lowes. With a full preseason to work with his players, Tony Smith will surely get Warrington into the play-offs next year.

wire have a squad capable of making a grand final , just have to wait another year , and then another....

At Wakefield we've signed Shane Tronc, Terry Newton, Glenn Morrison and apparently Daryl Millard. If we can avoid a raft of injuries then we also could be better placed to once again make the top eight.

Unfortunately eleven into eight won't go, so something will have to give!

If we thought this year was competitive then next year could be twice as

yes 11 into 8 will not go , and me thinks that Quinn's and salford will improve ...i think this justifies making it a top 8 as a top 5 nowadays would be just plain unfairsuch.

: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:47 am  

we have brough to sign and have signed faalogo and gilmour

: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:50 am  

Leek wrote:

we have brough to sign and have signed faalogo and gilmour

You've spelt your name wrong.

: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:07 am  

Both Hull and Bradford seem to be doing better of late, and maybe because the expectations are less. It will be interesting to see how they both do next year.

One of the problems of the last few years is that no young player will consider leaving Leeds or Saints because that is where the silverware is, and so they keep on winning, and so they won't leave, etc.

If other teams can show that they can challenge, players may be more willing to take an offer elsewhere, and so the silverware will spread, and so more will move, etc.

Unfortunately for us, this will mean that it will not be promises of silverware that will encourage moves but hard cash, and that is not our strongest point.

: Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:33 pm  

Heard a rumour that Paul King could be heading your way. Would you be happy with that?

Thacks will be on his way.

Lee off to either Salford or Cas.

Plus others leaving, hoping one is Graeme Horne.