Saints to sweep all before them in 2006?

[WJ]

I think so. They have the best squad by a mile and barring injuries will surley pick up all trophies available.

Leeds the closest challengers are just terrible and on the whole lose finals.

cc -saints to beat leeds

gf saints to beat leeds

1. saints
2. leeds

man of steel - paul sculthorpe

young player of the year - james graham

coach of the year - dan anderson

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

Looks that way unfortunately. I can't see Leeds running second though, I have them at about 4th, or to even miss the top 6 if a few injuries hit. They're alot weaker in 2006.

But Saints will be VERY hard to top. Bradford are the only team I rate as a chance to do it because even though their squad is built mostly on thirty-something year olds, there's still alot of talent there.

 

[WJ]

Looks that way unfortunately. I can't see Leeds running second though, I have them at about 4th, or to even miss the top 6 if a few injuries hit. They're alot weaker in 2006.

But Saints will be VERY hard to top. Bradford are the only team I rate as a chance to do it because even though their squad is built mostly on thirty-something year olds, there's still alot of talent there.

I think leeds are good enough to lose another final this year at least. To make it 8 final losses in the last decade.

 

[bartman]

I think it could be a very open year. But looking at squads on paper so far Saints would have to be favourites, unless/until something goes wrong. I'm thinking Leeds are probably not going to perform as well this season.

Wouldn't be surprised if Leeds don't feature in Cup or League finals. I expect Bradford and Hull to also be in contention, and Wigan to improve on their recent season. But who's going be like Warrington 2005 or Wakefield 2004 and make the surprise step-up?

 

[RLdan]

i cant see leeds challenging for much silverwear next season, i reckon saints will run away with it and Bradford wont make the top 6.

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

But who's going be like Warrington 2005 or Wakefield 2004 and make the surprise step-up?

'Quins to not get knocked out in the first week :thumb That's all I can come up with

 

[Fairleigh Good!]

It looks that way, which is nice.

But its been that way more often than not over the history of Super League and we somehow find a way to lose out, usually through nothing the other teams do.

We have had racist players, betting scandals, salary cap breaches, sacked our best ever coach whilst top of the league as well as injury nightmares.

Although we have the best team on paper, it won't work out like that, it never does.

 

[WJ]

It looks that way, which is nice.

But its been that way more often than not over the history of Super League and we somehow find a way to lose out, usually through nothing the other teams do.

We have had racist players, betting scandals, salary cap breaches, sacked our best ever coach whilst top of the league as well as injury nightmares.

Although we have the best team on paper, it won't work out like that, it never does.

Saints are the most successful sl team, so you can't have screwed up yourselfs all that often like you make out.

I also find it extremley arrogant that you assert ''usually through nothing other teams do''. You simply can't expect to win everything every year, without any gliches.

For what it's worth the first post was a bit of a piss take. I don't think saints will sweep all before them in 06.

While their front row looks impressive, their backrow lacks a little size. Pryce is a relative unknown quantity at 6, and the backline is certainly weaker for the loss of Albert.

Forget my first post, i actually still think Leeds will be the closest team to saints.

They still have the core of young players that won the title in 04. And contrary to alot of talk about their front row, bar mcdermott, who is replcaed by peacock which can be argued is an improvement, they still have the same front row which won the gf against the bulls.

They have added experience and more depth to the pack allowing them to rotate more and prevent the burnout they suffered at the end of last year.

So all in all it's between leeds and saints again for mine, the signings of Mcavoy and Millard from the lesser likes give a false indication of where leeds will be.

I think saints have the best starting 13, but leeds have more depth in experience to last across the season.

sl-leeds
cc-saints

You heard it here first.

 

[SFW]

On paper I would certainly say we have the strongest squad, both in terms of the starting 13 and overall depth. However you could have also said the same last year, yet it only took injuries to Sculthorpe and (in particular) Long and we were rudderless in the playoffs.

Until we can find a backup halfback who can produce the goods in the big games there is always going to be doubts over our ability to win trophies. Hopefully Scott Moore can fulfil this role this year, but he isn't yet 18 and it's a lot of pressure for a young kid to deal with.

 

[Fairleigh Good!]

We need a decent scrum half full stop. Or a stand off with a kicking game.

 

[Big Mick]

I'm tipping Wigan vs St Helens final.

 

[Bumble]

Les Catalans!

 

[MrCharisma]

I think alot of people are under estimating the power and new quality at Wigan.

A new hooker in GB internation Mickey Higham, Super League top try scorer Marc Calderwood.... former rep player Bryan Fletcher, Grand Final winning Pat Richards, former rep player(?) Iafeta Palia'asina..... and the list continues...

You'll also see Sean O'Loughlin and Garreth Hock fully fit back on the field and will have adapted to the lose of Andy Farrell. I think we're about to see the Wigan dynistay back from the 90's

 

[Lowey3]

I think alot of people are under estimating the power and new quality at Wigan.

A new hooker in GB internation Mickey Higham, Super League top try scorer Marc Calderwood.... former rep player Bryan Fletcher, Grand Final winning Pat Richards, former rep player(?) Iafeta Palia'asina..... and the list continues...

You'll also see Sean O'Loughlin and Garreth Hock fully fit back on the field and will have adapted to the lose of Andy Farrell. I think we're about to see the Wigan dynistay back from the 90's

Dont talk rubbish!!

Fair enough they have stregthened - they had to after last years shambles!!

Wigans problem has been with them not having enough players, it'll be the same next year.

Farrell - GB international
Newton - Gb international
Carney - GB international
Allen - good youngster
Wild - GB internatinal
Aspinwall - England international
Beswick - OK youngster
Coyle - top youngster
Guisett - French international
Macdonald - crap but still a loss

Has you can see.... they may of made some decent signings but they've let some big ones go!!

Farrell might of not played last year but he was still on the squad list.

 

[bartman]

I think Wigan will improve on '05, that much is almost certain. I think their new recruits balance their losses pretty well? And they won't have as many injuries two years in a row and will be keen to recover their dented pride from missing the playoffs. Whether they'll make the grand final or not, I not sure...

 

[waywooway]

I think Wigan will improve on '05, that much is almost certain. I think their new recruits balance their losses pretty well? And they won't have as many injuries two years in a row and will be keen to recover their dented pride from missing the playoffs. Whether they'll make the grand final or not, I not sure...

Saints to make the top three. How they progrees from there is, as often is the case, dependent on what's gone on in the lead up to the post season.
Can't see Wigan missing another play-off series two years on the trot, mainly because the remainder outside the top seven would need to improve considerably.

 

[terracesider]

Millward may be a prize pillock at times but he knows how to build a side. He's done some good business, especially off-loading Carney and signing Higham and Calderwood. I can see Wigan being back in the top 4 in the autumn.