So as we go into the super 8`s I thought it was worth looking back on the regular season and highlighting some of the positives!

First of all just looking through the stats this season and thought it was worth giving a snapshot of just how good certain players and the team as a whole have been this season!

Bill Tupou tops the metres gained with 3126! His centre partner Lyne also sits in the top 5 with 2740!

Both of our wingers in the top 5 try scorers:
Johnstone joint 2nd on 17
BJB joint 4th on 16

Miller 3rd in the league for try assists with 20.

Matty Ashurst tops marker tackles and 3rd in the table for tackles made!

Fifita 3rd in tackle busts (Only forward in the top 10) with 104. Closely followed by Reece Lyne in 4th with 92.

Also worth a mention that as a team we sit in 2nd for tries scored behind Saints which shows just what a threat we are with ball in hand!

On the new additions front:

Pauli – Started slow(ish) but now seems to be now getting up to speed, really impressed with him over the last few games, particular at Hudds away were they could simply not handle him, hope to see him putting those performances in week in week going forward! I think we have a good forward on our hands if we can keep him fit.

Horo – Again started slowly but has got better consistently, for me he is not going to pull up trees with ball in hand but he is an absolute workhorse in defence and seems to have good leadership on the field. Run his blood to water in certain games this season, the effort is definitely there, will we see more from him next season?

Hampshire – Played well given the chance, difficult position to just jump into in a team but think given time with Miller he could be the right partner for him. Has all the right skillset and hopefully Finn can rub of a bit of his game management in his coaching role - Also worth noting that he had a decent game at Fullback when asked to play there and provides good utility value throughout the backs as well – Hope he gets a deal with us and a chance to prove himself!

So in a review of the regular season what are you’re:
1. 3 Positives
2. 3 Negatives
3. Player of the season
4. Favourite moment of the season

For me the positives outweigh the negatives this season which is always good! Here is my list:

Positives - We made the top eight again, we are playing an exciting brand of rugby that is great to watch, we have proven we are not too far off throughout the season and are competing in almost every game!

Negatives - Disappointing cup run, failure to close down games resulting in some closes losses, no development in stadium situation.

Player of the season – Bill Tupou

Favourite moment of the season – Big Dave`s try against Hull FC, it was like watching in slow motion but I have never been urging someone on so much to get to the line!

Here is to a strong 8`s

Finishing with a positive points difference, something I have not been used to as a Wakefield fan. Great to see!

Here is my list too

Positives -
yes making the top eight again is a massive,
far better to watch than a few yrs ago but the team is now playing for each other which is great to see,
2 Directors which have put up with a shed of of troubles for little gain

Negatives -
stadium situation needs sorting
cup run jezz that one hurt me,
fans not turning up when now we have a decent side and I'm as guilty as the rest due to finances and health' I'm not as involved as I used to be but my heart will always be there

Player of the season –
Bill Tupou definitely player of the season too

Favourite moment of the season – quite a few but Tupou's try at Leeds was steaming run

The fans turn up most weeks, it's the lack of fans that's the problem.

Top moment was the feeling after Tom Johnstone's scorcher v Catalans at home. Had the crowd buzzing for ages.
Worst moment was Finns failure to find touch with that last minute penalty v Shudds at Newcastle.

Can't argue with having Bill Tupou as player of the season.

Love this team we've ended up with at the close of the season and into the 8s

3 Positives

Top 8 third year on the spin.

Settled squad with many players happy to stay at the club.

Jowitt hopefully cementing the full back position.

3 Negatives

Catalans home performance.

Switching off during games/unable to withstand teams during their period of dominance in matches.

Difficulty securing a win from closely fought games.

Struggling to pick out a player of the season. Maybe Wood.

Favorite moment of the season.

The relief as the ball sailed into touch at the end of the Saints home match after they were attacking as the hooter sounded. After being on the wrong side of a close game 3-4 games on the spin you could sense what it meant to get that win and against the best team in the competition.

3 positives
Beating saints when they were sweeping all before them .
Having a settled team who on there day can beat all before them in style.
Thank god MC is our owner.

3 negatives
Went out of challenge cup with a whimper.
Stay away fans.
Team needs to believe in themselves ,it’s the only thing holding them back on the field.

Not so long ago we could only dream of a team that we have now ,and I don’t think we have seen the best of this lot so far.Get another season on our backs with a settled team and build on the strengths we have and work hard on the mental side of the game and the worlds our oyster .

Positives:
Getting our young players signed up on long term contracts (no longer going to the likes of Hudds)
Being in a positive point difference in the table
Our league position

Negatives:
Stadium debacle and the embarrassment that is Wakefield council
The feeling of what could have been in so many close matches (although I could also see this a positive as to how far we have come)
Challenge Cup - the coach journey home

Player of the season - Big Dave - Brilliant both on and off the pitch

Best moment - 10 minutes into the Hull game feeling my heart rate settle down, saying to my dad "we're staying up" and then enjoying every second of the next 70 minutes