WELL, for all RL neutrals out there the finale of the Betfred Super League regular season is definitely going to be a fascinating watch over the next few days.
The top six play-off places are still not decided, as we enter the final round of this dramatic headline grabbing season 2024.
Last weekend's results however, showed there are several clubs who have absolutely nothing to play for except pride….and I’m not sure they showed even that.
Huddersfield, albeit fielding a number of kids amongst plenty of experience, were embarrassed by a visiting Warrington side by 66 points to NIL.
This giving Warrington that slight hope of a top two finish, should Hull KR lose to Leeds in their final game.
The aforementioned Rhinos well and truly put an end to their play-off hopes as they too were demolished 38-0 by league leaders Wigan.
They can still mathematically qualify if they beat Hull KR in Hull, and all other fixtures go their way. A very long shot and truthfully something they don’t warrant.
Hull FC, by far the worst team in the Betfred Super League this year, managed to drop to the foot of the table before the London Broncos had eaten their pre-match meal in the south of France. The Black and Whites were torn apart 58-4 against an in-form, play-off secured Salford.
The huge deficit in points meant the Broncos climbed to 11th, and stayed there after a gutsy narrow defeat to the Catalans Dragons.
More importantly, the Saints climbed to fifth having also confirmed their place in the knockout stages with a much improved performance against the Castleford Tigers.
This could be further boosted to fourth and a home quarter final if we can defeat Leigh at the LSV on Friday - and of course our arch rivals Wigan doing us a favour and get over the Red Devils of Salford.
Paul Rowley’s side currently sit in fourth position, two points ahead of the Saints, but with a far inferior points difference.
Wigan will obviously still be going full throttle themselves to confirm the league leaders shield, so fingers crossed.
Going back to Friday's game against Cas, and as I predicted it was a vastly improved display from Paul Wellens’ team as they mauled the Tigers 40-4.
It was no surprise to see a lot more strike on attack with the likes of Mark Percival, Daryl Clark, a fully-fit Jack Welsby and the outstanding Morgan Knowles returning to the 17.
As disappointing and frustrating this season has been, the stars might be aligning for Wello at this all important time of the season. With only Konrad Hurrell and Curtis Sironen still missing from his strongest 17, last Friday could signal the start of a big few weeks.
Let’s be honest, despite some very indifferent displays this season there remains a lot of big game experience in this Saints squad - players who know what it takes to win big games.
One of those is a player I hugely admire Tommy Makinson. On Friday, Tommy potentially bid farewell to the Totally Wicked Stadium before he leaves for the Catalans Dragons in 2025, and how fitting it was he got to cross the whitewash in front of the Saints faithful West Standers. There would be nobody more deserving to bow out at a Grand Final.
Special mention also to Jon Bennison, who crossed for his first ever hat-trick at the club. All three needed finishing, but unsurprisingly all three coming via great service from his centre partner Mark Percival who looks like he means business.
So, prediction time...
I’m going to say Wigan wrap up the Shield by beating Salford. Consistently the best team in the Betfred Super League, Hull KR will have far too much for the Rhinos. That secures the top two who will enjoy a week off.
Warrington, who can’t really go anywhere but third will have too much for the London Broncos, in what sadly could be their last game in Super League even if they don’t finish last. Saints will build on Friday's win and tame the Leopards, confirming fourth place. Finally, with the easiest fixture of the week against Hull FC, the Dragons will sneak into sixth spot.
If FC, do finally show some grit and determination to not finish rovk bottom and defeat Catalan, this would keep Leigh in the play-offs. So many permutations!
So, my top six come Saturday afternoon would look like this- 1. Wigan, 2. Hull KR, 3. Warrington, 4. Saints, 5. Salford and 6. Catalans Title sponsors Betfred must also be thinking along these lines, with their prices for Grand Final glory at Old Trafford on October 12 as follows: Wigan 10/11, HKR 5/2, Wire 9/2, Saints 10/1, Leigh and Salford both 28/1, Catalans 80/1 and Leeds 100/1.
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