: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:03 pm
My prediction now:
Leeds - Will just beat Saints to top spot this time.
Saints - Lost Sculthorpe, Talau and Fozzard, gained Puletua, a weaker squad this year IMO.
Wigan - Barrett a big loss, but IMO will still lead the chasing pack
Warrington - Higham and Carvell are good signings, will be close to Wigan
Huddersfield - Hodgson and Carney are great signings, I think they'll be up there.
Bradford - Good pack, poor backs, although they will make the play offs.
Hull - Think they'll improve from last year. Crocker, Thorman and Calderwood are decent signings.
Catalans - Bell and Ryles will take a while to settle in, the same with the coach and on paper it looks a better squad than 08 but I think the slow start will mean they'll just make the play offs.
Hull KR - Will just miss out again I feel.
Harlequins - Maybe a lot higher, but they've lost some good players (Hill, Henry, Sheriffe)
Castleford - Looks a better squad than last year.
Salford - Smith and Swain are good signings I'd expect them to compete.
Wakefield - Poor squad. Brough and Drew are the only ones with the wow factor.
Celtic - Long hard season for the Crusaders, but hopefully at the end of the 3 years they'll be where Catalans are now.