Phil Clarke gave his assessment on Leigh Leopards’ and Salford Red Devils’ chances of making the Play-offs in 2023.
In doing so he said four teams are nailed on for the play-offs:
“The aim for every team is to get in the top six and if we are realistic there is probably only going to be space for one of these.
“I think so Wigan, Warrington, St Helens and Huddersfield in the seven games that we have had that they will be in the top six spaces so the other teams are fighting for the other two spots and these two sides are going to be great contenders.
“If you said to Leigh fans after Round One that by Easter they would be level on points with Salford and if you beat them you will go above them they wouldn’t believe you.”
“There are a few things that make me think that not only will Leigh stay up easily but they have an outside chance of making the play-offs and they are, they make good ground with the ball, they compete with the teams in the matches they play.
“If you look at promoted teams in the past few years, they tend to tire in games but not Leigh so far. In the last 20 minutes of games they have played they score more points in the last 20 minutes than any other quarter.
“They are so strong in that final period. Fitness usually comes in it but not for Leigh.”
Meanwhile, Jamie Jones-Buchanan echoed these comments but he also named a fifth team he thinks are certainties for the play-offs:
“I think so, from what I have seen from the opening rounds. I think Leigh will be disappointed if they don’t [push for the play-offs].
“We talk about Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Huddersfield and Catalans are almost guaranteed in the top six so everyone else it pushing for that last spot.”
