Ranking every Super League club in 2022 on expectations vs performance this year

As 2022 comes to a close, we have looked at the 12 Super League clubs of the year and ranked them by comparing their expectations at the start of the year with what they accomplished by the end of 2022.

12. Toulouse Olympique
The minimum expectation for the French side in 2022 was to survive and they did not suffering relegation as Leigh Leopards took their place going into 2023.

11. Warrington Wolves
Under Daryl Powell for the 2022, there was a belief among some fans that Powell would finally end Warrington’s wait for Grand Final glory in 2022. Things started well with a dramatic win over Leeds Rhinos but soon enough the Wolves were out of the play-off race and even finished in a relegation scrap. They finished 11th in the end. In 2023 they should be back at the right end of the table.

10. Hull FC
Just like in 2021, the Black and Whites started well with Hull FC in the mix for the top four but in the end they slipped well out of the play-off race and finished ninth losing to the 16-men Hull KR on the final game. 2023 promises to be a better year.

9. Hull KR
The Robins like their rivals were hoping to finish in the play-offs in 2022 after a brilliant 2021 but injuries helped along by the shock announcement that Tony Smith would be leaving the club they slipped out of the play-offs and finished eight.

8. Castleford Tigers
After a terrific winter of signings, the Lee Radford era at the Jungle promised much with many believing they could push for the top four. They struggled at the start of the season but in the end were well within the play-off race. But as they missed out on the play-offs due to a last round defeat to Leeds Rhinos, they underperformed expectations.

7. Catalans Dragons
Expected by some to finally dethrone St Helens or at the least finish in top two. So, to finish fourth and miss out of the semi-finals was disappointing.

6. Wakefield Trinity
You may question why Wakefield are above the likes of Cas and the Hull clubs but for a side expected to be in a relegation battle they perhaps overachieved what some fans expected with most expecting them to finish 11th or 12th.

5. Leeds Rhinos
In terms of league position, Leeds may have been disappointed with where they finished but from where they were mid-season they overachieved and certainly had no right to make the Grand Final after being second bottom. But this is about overall expectations and thus around about met pre-season expectations.

4. Wigan Warriors
The Warriors were expected to be in the mix at the top again in 2022 and they delivered on that front winning the Challenge Cup and finishing second in the league.

3. St Helens
Expected to be the Champions at the end of 2022 and they once again are. You can’t exactly exceed expectations when you’re expected to be the best but they were the best once again.

2. Huddersfield Giants
Many tipped Huddersfield to push for the play-offs in 2022 but no one expected them to finish as high as third and be well in the mix to even finish second ahead of Wigan.

1. Salford Red Devils
Tipped to be in the relegation scrap in 2022 after a difficult season, the Red Devils made it to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final and arguably should have made it to Old Trafford if they’d not had to do without Brodie Croft.