I do have Sky+ so have replayed this many times, but still can't believe my ears. Did Phil Clarke really predict Hull FC to win the Grand Final on Boots N'All?
Oh dear...

dont get too excited, he said celtic would make the playoffs last week

TBH, I think they will push towards that

I believe they will shock a few this season

i dont think they'll come bottom, but 8th? thats a big ask

Ridiculous..


.. Rangers are like 10 points clear now

Phil Clarke has slowly gone from the knowledgeable, reasonable ex-player on the Sky commentary team to making Stevo seem like the knowledgeable, reasonable ex-player.

Perhaps - but I was a bit thrown by Stevo's claim that the sport can't afford to not have Warrington, Hull or Bradford in the play-offs. Erm, why? 'Leeds and Wigan', I wouldn't have liked it and would have still disagreed, but at least I'd have seen where he was coming from.

I'm surprised so many 'experts' are making so many predictions this year. It looks one of the hardest super league's to predict.

To be fair to hull though, there's no reason why they can't make the grand final, but they're one of at least 5 or 6 clubs who on paper could surprise the top 2, so I wouldn't want to put my money on anyone.

Hull can make the grand final if they time their injuries right. A lot depends on Sean Long gametime and when he isn't playing if Washbrook, Turner, Whiting or whoever can step up.

I do think Hull has the best pack though, good combination of grafters and impact players. None of which seem to give too many penalties away apart from Tickle. People say Luaki does but I disagree, and he wins a lot by being such a big b*stard to put down.

Washbrook and Whiting cant step into cover the scrum half role, this has been the problem for a number of seasons now and I also doubt Turner can.

Yes big ask, however looking at the last 2 seasons results nothing would surprise me.

They actually have a lot of experience, ex internationals with a mix of some good young talent, they could do it depending on how the rest perform and as mentioned we get few shocks every year.

He's gone mad.....he even complimented my Quins team for playing well against Wakefield...now thats unheard of!!! Can someone find the real Phil Clarke please?!!

why not

Hull have a good squad this year. And with few injuries at the moment we can put out our best side.
What I would like to see however is us resting players more often. I think we force players back from injury too soon, and even play them too often with niggles. It can't be a coincidence that we've had so many injuries over the last few years.

We've got some good young and hungry players with a lot of potential in the centres and halves and areas of the pack. We don't need to be playing our older players every week IMO.

Its going to take a good run injury wise for Hull to do well. But having said that, if Leeds mess up its anyones.

Making predictions is like gambling. If you predict crazy things then you seem a great pundit if he gets them right. High risk = high reward.

If Hull make the playoffs they will have overachieved in my eyes. Nothing against Hull there are just better teams out there.

And thats coming from an ex coach

I'd be interested in hearing your rationale to this comment. Are you saying for a club to finish 8th, below half way down, would be an overachievement?

On the basis absolute comparison cannot really be made until all clubs have played each other, only a theoretical assessment could be made.

On the basis Hull FC's recruitment has widely been acknowledged as very astute (2 Kangaroo test forwards with vast experiance and proven ability, and experiances scrum half who has been there and done it all and one of the best prospects in the british game) along with two signings at the end of last year in Tansey and Luaki, I'd say, Theoretically Hull FC have advanced their chances more than most other clubs.

Careful. Someone might lock your thread for saying something thats common sense

In theory Hull will be better. HOWEVER, same cr4p coach and all three signings have seen better days. Hull's squad looks thin and a couple of injuries will no doubt see the same outcomes. To go from near bottom to winning a GF in one season would be a miracle in the SL.

FC to win SL
O'Meley to win mos
what's the trifecta, win a derby game?

With a decent coach we could win SL.

With Colonel Agar at the helm I personally think we will struggle to make the play offs if i'm honest.

How do you work out our squad looks thin ? I consider we have depth in our squad to be an asset to us this season, I will not be drawn into the 3 signings seeing better days debate I will leave it for later in the season



I understand you are Australian but I would like to bet you are a Dobbin, such classic signs