.1 Warrington
.2 Leeds
.3 Huddersfield
.4 St Helens
.5 Castleford
.6 Wigan
.7 Catalan
.8 Hull FC
.9 Hull KR
10 Salford
11 Leigh
12 Wakefield

Oh Duckie, Duckie, Duckie, it's going to be one of those years, is it?

1. St Helens
2. Wigan
3. Huddersfield
4. Leeds
5. Wire
6. Catalans
7. Hull
8. Salford
9. Cas
10. Hull KR
11. Wakey
12. Leigh

1. St Helens
2. Wigan
3. Huddersfield
4. Leeds
5. Wire
6. Cat
7. Hull
8. Cas
9. Salford
10.Leigh
11.HKR
12.Wakefield

The pack is a real strength for 2023 and I like the look of our spine. BUT three quarters and back row I don’t think will offer much incisiveness, this is where we will lack a little potency next year.

I’d put us around 4th or 5th.

It will be a competitive comp next year I think. Wigan & Saints I don’t see dropping off too much, though much will depend how Wellens goes, Leeds you would expect will continue to improve under Smith and Huddersfield have a very good squad with a smart coach. Hull FC could well be back up there with TS at the helm, though I’m not as impressed with their squad as I am the rest I have mentioned - TS can work miracles though - see HKR. Catalan, not sure till their squad is complete…

Wigan
Saints
Leeds
Hudds
Wire
Hull FC
Catalan
Castleford
Salford
Hull KR
Leigh
Wakefield

Having done that I’m probably looking forward to the season a little more, not because of our prospects (although we will obviously improve) but because it looks a well balanced competitive league next year. I’m probably being harsh on Salford and Catalan there with my placing - but there are some strong teams above them.

I think realistically we should make the play offs and maybe win one game in them. Whether that's good enough time will tell.

The biggest influences will be how much game time we get from our big signing forwards & how committed they are to the Wire cause.
Not forgetting ,will Mr Williams give an England standard performance or will he serve up last year's dross.

St Helens.
Wigan.
Catalans.
Salford.
Shudds.
Leeds.
Castleford.
Hull FC.
Wakefield.
Hull KR.
Warrington.
Leigh.

Very unfair on "Mr Williams". He tried his knackers off and sometimes tried too hard.
Whatever you think about Wire last year he was not the problem.

Isn’t this normally a New Year’s Eve thing? I’ll wait til I have a few festive drinks in me at least.

1. Wigan
2. Leeds
3. St Helens
4. Salford
5. Warrington
6. Castleford
7. Catalans
8. Hull FC
9. Huddersfield
10. Hull KR
11. Leigh
12. Wakefield

1. St Helens
2. Wigan
3. Wire
4. Leeds
5. Hudds
6. Cat
7. Hull
8. Cas
9. Leigh
10.HKR
11. Salford
12.Wakefield

Really? What's your thinking there?

Wigan
Saints
Leeds
Huddersfield
Hull
Wire
Catalans
Salford
Cas
Wakey
Hull kr
Leigh

1. Leeds
2. St.Helens
3. Warrington
4.Wigan
5. Hull fc
6. Huddersfield
7. Catalans
8. Salford
9. Castleford
10. Hull KR
11. Leigh
12. Wakefield

1. Leeds - LLS
2. St.Helens - Grand Final Winners
3. Huddersfield - Challenge Cup Winners
4.Wigan - Challenge Cup Runners Up
5. Salford - Grand Final Runners Up
6. Hull Fc
7. Warrington
8. Leigh
9. Hull KR
10. Catalans
11. Wakefield
12. Castleford

I think you could make an arguable case for Wire finishing in ANY position 1-12.

Honestly it was just a feeling at the time. May have them higher on second thoughts but at the time I was thinking about how much their season tanked.

They were great for a lot of it but it fell off badly. Also, I think a lot of other teams below them have made noticeable improvements to their squad... But of course, on reflection I could and probably should have put them higher.

I think they have probably strengthened in the three quarters and it will be interesting to see if the maverick Connor produces more points than he concedes. Their workhorses (Yates, Jones etc) are very reliable. But, I agree there is always one club who fails to produce...

1. Wigan
2. St Helens
3. Leeds
4. Salford
5. Huddersfield
6. Warrington
7. Hull FC
8. Catalans
9. Castleford
10. Hull KR
11. Wakefield
12. Leigh

1 - St Helens
2 - Wigan
3 - Warrington
4 - Leeds
5 - Salford
6 - Huddersfield
7 - Hull FC
8 - Catalans
9 - Castleford
10 - Leigh
11 - Hull KR
12 - Wakefield

I don't think we'll be top as we'll probably lose ground early doors as the team gels. But I like Duck's optimism and if we make one of the play off spots, which I think we will, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be challenging for the big one given the players we have and (hopefully) no major disruptions for Powell. I seem to remember Duck predicting a few unlikely results v Saints over the years against the grain, so never discount the Duck.

My table is:

Stains
Pie
Leads
Wire
uddersfield
Cats
Hell Fc
Sellford
Hell KR
Wakefield
Cas
Leigh (sorry Leigh fans, I hope you stay up though)

Nostraduckus strikes again. Are you going to go unbeaten this year? Now you've got a pack you've got much more chance than when you used to predict that in past seasons.

You could be right on Saints I think, if Wellens makes changes. I'm not sure what you are suggesting happens to Wigan? Field and French injuries might cause that I suppose?

hard to know how we will do this coming season.

We could be anything from 3 - 10 position wise.

It goes 1 of 2 ways for us next season

1 - The team look no better than they did last season...... everyone turns on powell, which in turn effects the team even more... we get 5/6 games in before having to make a change... Then a new coach has to come in and pick the pieces up off a broken dressing room struggling for confidence... in this case, best we can hope for is a cup run and a late charge at mid table (a bit like Smith 2009).

2 - We start the season off well... People can see that the team is much improved.. Powell keeps his job and the mood improves... We can then have a good go at maybe finishing top 4

Anything less than a good start and an obvious upturn in performances, will ultimately bring about the end of Powell though... he absolutely HAS to have a good start.. he can only really lose 1 or 2 games in the opening 6 fixtures, or there will be a lynching.

No need to be sorry Gaz. I think you've had a good drink picking that selection tho.

I hope whichever way it goes it is clear to see and decisive. By 1st April we will have had 4 home games (Leeds, Salford, Leigh, Hull FC). If we are on track we will have won them all.