Now that the dust is beggining to settle on a successful 2018, I wonder what peoples views are on Super League 2019,
mine are as follows,

Reasonably predictable bottom 3 Salford, Hull K R, London, although Leeds have such a huge rebuilding job to do they may just challenge this.

Mid table Huddersfield, Wakey and Catalans although all 3 of these will definitely at some point take points off the top 6 making this a close season in the league.

Top 6 in no particular order,

Cas had a good 2018 with a lot of injuries, I have a feeling they will be the side to beat.

Hull can't possibly have as much bad luck with injuries as 2018, although question marks over their pack, nowhere near as fierce as 2017.

Saints be interesting how they cope without BB and also to see how some of their young forwards adapt to 2nd season syndrome, they will not be as good as they were in early 2918

Wolves, still have issues with a poor backrow, lack of skill in the halves and lack of pace, they really need Blake Austin to step up big time or they may struggle.

Wigan, I think we will be there or thereabouts again, we need to maintain our defensive discipline from 2018, but desperately need more creativity in the halves, Tommy has had a good end to the season, but I still prefer him at 9.
Will Hardaker play or will Wigan get cold feet and use his salary to strenthen in the halves, utilising Sarge, Morgan and Mullen as full back.
I am looking forward to seeing Joe Bullock play, I believe he is a big strong lad and rated as the top prop outside Super League, I hope he can make the step up to Super League as Walmesley, Hill and our own Ben Flower has.
Hankinson looked useful from what little we have seen of him, and he is right sided, lets hope with a little more experience and a full pre season behind him he can kick on to be as good as Olly at some point, this would also solve our goal kicking problems.
The biggest unknown is Lammy, how will he adapt to the job and how will the players adapt to him.

It will be interesting to see how Sam goes at Catalans, he will be playing in a less structured environment than here, will that suit his game, there is a well worn phrase "nobody leaves Wigan and betters themselves" I just wonder if this will also apply to Sam in France.
Interesting times ahead, just can't wait for it all to start all over again.

can’t argue with any of that to be honest

Everybody will still hate Wigan

Get an organising half and we'll be more than fine.

Are Curtis Sironen and Shaun Nona any good

Wigan or Leeds will be champions again.

Possibly a topic for another day - lets enjoy this one first.

Champions.

A great team always has great players. Sam can create a threat from nothing near to the line. It will be interesting to see if Zak still has the enthusiasm or self discipline to be a great player. We have a lot of talent in the team but a Sam or Ben Barba do not turn up very often. Perhaps we will get the threat back from further out like with Mango or Budgie in his first spell. We still have a couple of injured players to come back as well but we all know that we are in a rebuilding phase again. I hope a couple of the fringe players can step up, Mullen should get plenty of game time if anyone can work out what to do with him, he looks too good for the reserves and I would not be surprised to see young Harry playing in the pre season games.

When does Lam arrive and officially start work?

I'll predict:

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

Saints beat Wire in the Grand Final. Catalans retain the Challenge Cup. Toronto promoted. Hope I'm wrong, just a lot of change so I'm less confident we'll be consistent enough to pick up home play offs.

November I believe.

Playoffs

Week 1:
Catalans beat Warrington
Wigan beat Cas

Week 2:
Catalans beat Saints
Wigan beat Warrington

Week 3:
Wigan beat Saints

Wigan vs Catalans Grand Final

In theory,....the ideal replacement coach would have ties with the current NRL championship winning club and someone who understands the Wigan way. Again in theory,.. Wigans defence could be complimented by techniques used by the Sydney City Roosters and someone who has worked with Wayne Bennett and that's not to mention the potential improvements in attack....We could do a lot better than finishing 5th.

Not a jibe at the original poster but Christ can’t we enjoy Saturday, first?

Sod 2019. We’ve got at least a couple of weeks of enjoying 2018, yet!
2019 will look after itself. (Well, with the help of Lammy, KR& IL)

Then ignore the topic and enjoy 2018

Splitter!

Going to savour Saturday for a bit before I start losing too much sleep about 2019, but I really do think that Lam has a hell of a job.

I get what people say about wanting a more attacking style of Rugby, but I wonder if trying to implement this, with a squad of players that have been recruited & trained to suit another style entirely & with the loss of a few key players will be too much of an ask.

Really strong cultures, the sort of which leads to defensive displays like we have seen in recent weeks, takes a huge amount of work and time to create, but they can be lost in no time at all.

Hard to see what's round the corner & obviously I hope I'm wrong, but I expect 2019 to be a transitional year before Edwards.

1. Escare
2. Manfredi
3. Gildart
4. Hankinson - Kicker
5. Davies
6. Williams
7. Maloney ?
8. Navarette
9. Leuluai
10. Flower
11. Greenwood
12. Farrell
13. Hamlin
14. Clubb
15. Tagataese ?
16. Isa
17. Powell

I’d expect to see O’Loughlin at 13 and Hamlin on the bench and maybe Joe Bullock

Black piping

Hope so

sponsored by pirteck too!!

Bring back Bukta

Red Shorts.

Do we still have anyone to come back from injury?