The 2021 season has been and gone but it was memorable for a number of reasons. We saw the French revolution in Catalans as they stormed to top spot, St Helens wrap up a historic three-peat and the magnificent return of supporters. Yes, it’s nearly time to begin looking ahead to 2022, but we should first reflect on an unforgettable Betfred Super League season. So, today we’re rating every club’s 2021 campaign.
Leigh
The Centurions gave it their all, but the pre-season disadvantages they faced ultimately undermined them as they again slipped to relegation as they did in 2017 and 2005. Leigh produced a valiant effort this term and came away with a pair of wins over Wakefield and Salford having pushed top six clubs Wigan and Hull KR incredibly close. That said, despite a determined effort, no other team was ever really in danger this term and Leigh drowned at the bottom league until their inevitable relegation took hold. They’ll be disappointed that they didn’t make more of a fist of this season.
Grade: E
Salford
Salford’s first objective this term was undoubtedly to avoid relegation which they did with considerable ease despite that shock defeat to Leigh. However, following major final appearances in 2019 and 2020, Richard Marshall’s men would’ve liked to have been a more competitive force this term but they slipped to a disappointing 11th place finish. They did have their fair share of high moments including a thumping win over Hull FC, but 2021 was not the start to the post-Ian Watson era Salford would’ve wanted.
Grade: D
Wakefield
For most of the season, Trinity seemed like a club in turmoil. Along with Salford, they looked a long way off play-off rugby and were thanking their lucky stars that Leigh sat beneath them in the table. But the end of their season is cause for optimism. They played some outstanding rugby under new boss Willie Poching beating the likes of Warrington, Hull KR and Leeds. They probably should’ve finished higher than they did based on the way they ended their season. With clear foundations put in place at the end of this season, Wakefield should go into 2022 in good spirits. All that sees their once disappointing campaign awarded a C for their fantastic finish.
Grade: C
Huddersfield
Many people believed Huddersfield could be a top four side in 2021. So, the fact they finished in the bottom four should be real cause for disappointment amongst Giants fans. It’s clear that they were rocked by injuries from the opening round where the absence of Aidan Sezer hurt them. Speaking of Sezer, the confirmation of his departure also speaks to the idea that Ian Watson is still in the process of assembling a team of his players and when he has finished building that squad, the Giants should be much better. But the fact they were nowhere near play-off rugby despite the obvious quality in their squad means 2021 will go down as a disappointment in Fartwon.
Grade: E
Hull FC
The same could be said of Hull FC. The Black and Whites again promised much in 2021 and were looking to build on their brilliant end to the 2020 campaign which saw them play in a first Super League semi-final since 2017. Despite a strong start and the arrival of Josh Reynolds, the Black and Whites slumped to a disappointing eighth place finish. Finishing beneath Hull KR will have hurt whilst their nine defeats in the final 10 games is cause for concern. Ultimately, they were out of the play-off race before the final few weeks leaving Hull fans disappointed especially when they looked like a top four side earlier in the year.
Grade: D
Castleford
Like Hull, Castleford started well with wins over Warrington and Leeds and looked like certainties for the play-offs and another strong top four candidate. The announcement of Daryl Powell’s departure led some to believe that a special end for Castleford’s best ever Super League coach could be about to unfold. It certainly looked that way when they marched on to Wembley but bad luck in the capital and the potency of St Helens denied them. They got some revenge at the Totally Wicked Stadium as they appeared to rekindle their play-off hopes and for some time they appeared like the team with all the momentum heading into the latter stages of the season. But two disappointing defeats at the end of the season saw them again finish outside the play-off places turning 2021 into a disappointment.
Grade: D
Hull KR
2021 was anything but a disappointment for Hull KR. Playing exhilarating rugby, they made the play-offs for the first time since 2013 with their highest finish since 2009. With the brilliant Jordan Abdull leading them around and exciting youngsters and overseas signings complimenting the Robins’ attack, they were the best team to watch in 2021 and even made it to a first Super League semi-final thanks to a 19-0 play-off win against Warrington.
Grade: A
Leeds
Leeds had a funny season this term. Plenty expected Leeds to kick on after winning the cup in 2020 and maybe even push for a place in the top four especially following the arrival of Zane Tetevano. But a host of injuries before the season began culminated in a slow start from Leeds and, at one stage, they looked dead set to finish in the bottom four. The return of key players and some good away wins at Wigan, Warrington and Hull FC saw the Rhinos climb the table eventually wrapping up a once unlikely fifth place finish. Ultimately, not where Leeds want to be but better than what was once feared, Leeds will be relatively pleased with 2021 especially as they played in a first Super League semi-final since 2017.
Grade: B
Wigan
After finishing top in 2020 and being whiskers away from Grand Final glory, 2021 was a disappointing year for the Cherry and Whites. Despite a great start to the season with seven wins from seven games, the cracks started to appear as their attack stalled despite the presence of quality players like Jackson Hastings and Bevan French. Some gutsy wins at the end of the season saw them secure fourth spot in the table but a second nilling at the hands of Leeds ended their season prematurely. With a new regime in charge next year, it’s a new dawn for the Warriors.
Grade: C
Warrington
With the star names in Warrington’s squad, the Wolves were again expected to challenge for a place inside the top two and they did just that and would’ve been happy with their eventual third place finish. They were the only side in the league to beat the top two and looked like they could force their way to a major final but a shock semi-final defeat to Castleford in the cup and a sluggish play-off loss to Hull KR ensured the season ended trophyless.
Grade: C
Catalans
The Dragons were the league’s best team from start to finish. They started strong and, after a slip up against Warrington, they established their title credentials with dominant wins over the previous year’s Grand Finalists. From there, they went on a record-breaking winning run as they clawed their way towards the League Leaders’ Shield which was sealed with a memorable comeback win over St Helens at the Magic Weekend. Unfortunately for the Dragons, the Saints got their revenge at Old Trafford but a first League Leaders’ Shield and a Grand Final debut certainly means this season was a success for the French club.
Grade: A
St Helens
They’re Champions for a third consecutive season so they of course get an A. Top spot once more alluded them but they again proved that they’re the standard bearers in the northern hemisphere. Questions were raised about their attack at times early in the season but they always possessed enough quality to win the big games and they won the two biggest games this season with a magnificent turn around to beat Castleford at Wembley before edging an intense Grand Final thanks to a Kevin Naiqama brace in Manchester. Super League’s current super club, they are the gold standard at the moment.
Grade: A
Leigh Leopards
Reports: Leigh Leopards exit could lead to huge signing
