The Super League season is edging towards a dramatic conclusion to the regular season and there’s plenty still up for grabs.
The League Leaders’ Shield is yet to be decided, with Hull KR and Wigan Warriors pushing for the number one spot, while five teams are pushing to secure three play-off places, with Salford Red Devils, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Leigh Leopards and Catalans Dragons pushing to finish between fourth and sixth.
With that in mind, we’ve decided (perhaps foolishly) to put our necks on the line and predict how the remainder of the Super League season pans out.
Will Jackson
Grand Final winner: Wigan Warriors
League Leaders’ Shield: Wigan Warriors
To make the play-offs (4-6): Leigh Leopards, Salford Red Devils, St Helens
Wooden spoon: Hull FC
Man of Steel: Mikey Lewis
I believe a term coined by Jurgen Klopp is accurate when describing Wigan, particularly at this time of year: ‘mentality monsters’. We saw that in effect on Friday night against Hull KR as they came from behind to pick up the win and as the season edges towards a conclusion, they are starting to come into their own. The Cherry and Whites live for the moment when the chips are down and that’s why it’s hard to look past them winning the last two trophies on offer from this point.
Leigh Leopards are flying and I think they’ll do more than enough to secure a top six spot alongside Salford. For St Helens, though, I think a win over Castleford Tigers on Friday might just be enough.
When it comes to the wooden spoon, I’ve seen nothing to suggest that Hull FC won’t end the season miserably and with the points difference between themselves and London, who are hanging in games, being just 49, finishing bottom has to be a real possibility for the Black and Whites (sorry Hull fans).
As for the Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis has been the most entertaining and arguably the most influential man in the competition, for me.
Sam Cook
Grand Final winner: Wigan Warriors
League Leaders’ Shield: Wigan Warriors
To make the play-offs (4-6): Salford, Leigh, St Helens
Wooden spoon: London Broncos
Man of Steel: Mikey Lewis
It’s almost impossible to back against the tried and tested Wigan Warriors. They’ve been there, done it and got the t-shirt and with Bevan French back fit, they can beat anyone. They can tie up two more pieces of silverware.
It’s hard to look past the current top six as well with Leeds Rhinos facing the daunting task of taking points from Wigan and Hull KR on the road, whilst Catalans’ second-half-of-the-season collapse has already cost them.
Despite their much-improved performances of late and the fact Hull FC have hit new lows, London Broncos will take the wooden spoon with two more losses likely as they face both Catalans and Warrington on the road.
The Man of Steel race is still wide open and whilst no player has been more influential to their team’s success than Marc Sneyd has to Salford, Mikey Lewis has been the standout player in Super League. 38 try contributions mean Shaun Wane has a tough task ignoring him for the end-of-season tests against Samoa.
Ollie Mitchell
Grand Final winner: Wigan Warriors
League Leaders’ Shield: Wigan Warriors
To make the play-offs (4-6): Salford Red Devils, Leigh Leopards, St Helens
Wooden spoon: Hull FC
Man of Steel: Matt Dufty
Matt Peet’s men looked superhuman until the French-Field duo were out-of-action and while they’re available, the Warriors are back. The game against Hull KR showed something that I believe will decide the trophies: Wigan know how to navigate big games, and their experience of winning should get them over the line.
Leeds face the top two and although Catalans have the bottom two to face, a single win for any of Salford, Leigh and Saints should get them over the line.
Over to the bottom of the table – I feel that Hull FC could collapse even further, and that London could get one over on Catalans again.
I’ve been a hugely vocal fan of Dufty this year, and I believe he’s had the biggest impact of any single player this season. His ridiculous try-scoring, playmaking and metre-making stats are special, but so is his overall impact on the field.
