I agree with others. I think we'll comfortably be in that middle table, challenging for the play-offs. We'll be no where near relegation. Even last year, we'd have finished 9th in the table if it wasn't for the 12 point deduction. That was with no players with 2 weeks until the start of the season, no pre-season and having to watch Oscar Thomas and Illiess Macani "did deep" If that team can finish 9th in terms of just points earned, then the one we'll have for next year, with a full pre-season, a coach who knows the league, will be a different animal. I do think the playoffs will be out of reach as the championship will be a fantastic league next year, but i think we can definitely have a crack.



It's hard to work out with no finished squads who will finish where.



Toronto i think will walk it, especially if Rowley goes and Mcdermott comes in.



Toulouse - Improved every year and i expect them to be a force again next year.



Widnes - Interested to see how they'll go. Parachute payment but lets be honest, they've been a championship team getting battered in SL last 2 seasons. They won one game throughout the middle 8, a chief exec who milks RL but gives nothing in return (Steve Ferres anyone) a club disconnected with it's fans. Although it's very early days, apart from Liam Hood, none of the signings/re-signings are anything special. They are signing some of their excellent kids up, but as we know, you don't get protected in the championship like in SL. Have to see how the shape up come the new season, but right now, it doesn't look promising.



Halifax - Consistently punch above their wait. Consistent team and will probably finish in the top 5.



Fev - 3 impressive signings in the PNG lads, plus Brad Day and James Harrison. However they have lost a lot of players due to not making top 5. Whether they have the strength in depth for the whole season. I think they are continuing with the unpopular partnership with Leeds. Good when they get the players, but when they don't, they look a little short. Still expect them to make the 5 though.



Leigh - Best case scenario IMO is even surviving admin, that will still leave them incredibly weak in terms of getting a team together. Think it will be a fight for survival for them next year.



Sheffield - Interesting one, been fighting at the bottom of the league for last couple of seasons, but they seem to be signing the top PT players who brought them so much success in the championship. One to watch IMO.



York Like us, probably mid-table but the ability to challenge for the top 5. A club on the up, fantastic young coach, new stadium on the way. Again, like us they'll need to recruit, they've lost arguably their best player Joe Batchelor, though i still expect him to play for them a bit throughout the year/



Dewsbury/Batley - know what you get, tough to beat, but not consistent enough to challenge for the play-offs.



Barrow/Rochdale/Swinton - Fighting it for relegation.



As i said, thats just based on right now, a lot will inevitably change before the new season.

As I read it, the SL teams didn't like so many teams "being in jeopardy" even if they finished out of the bottom spot. They don't seem to mind that you can finish mid-table yet still be "champions".



But, they have got their wish. Teams in the mid zone that won't make the playoffs but can't be relegated will have a second half of the season that is just a slow death. But crowd interest will be redoubled by being able to play the same teams several times a season. If a couple of those are in the same zone, then some meaningless repeat dead rubbers should really have both crowds and broadcasters buzzing.

Quote ="paulwalker71"No, history shows it has been at a neutral venue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Grand_Final It's been a grounds such as Warrington, Widnes and Headingley. Some pretty decent crowds too. If its done right, it could be a massive occasion - imagine us playing Widnes for a place in SL at Headingley with 20K there? That's not a pipe dream - see the crowds in that link above.'" You do realise there were 3 games that day? Castleford - Widnes Featherstone R - Oldham Bramely - Featherstone L

Quote ="paulwalker71"No, history shows it has been at a neutral venue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Grand_Final It's been a grounds such as Warrington, Widnes and Headingley. Some pretty decent crowds too. If its done right, it could be a massive occasion - imagine us playing Widnes for a place in SL at Headingley with 20K there? That's not a pipe dream - see the crowds in that link above.'" You do realise there were 3 games that day? Castleford - Widnes Featherstone R - Oldham Bramely - Featherstone L

I didn't, but if that's what it takes to fill Headingley, then I'm all for it. There will be a League 1 promotional playoff next season as well, I believe. So having a 'finals day' and getting a big crowd seems like a great idea to me.

It will all change after Christmas and a few beers, or when SL come up with a different plan to keep more money.

I'm not expecting silverware but, for services to tourism, I don't see a mechanism by which we're not guaranteed [url=https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/key-to-the-city/a little gold[/url.