Super League 2022 is set up for a St Helens or Wigan Warriors triumph considering how both teams have fared this season.
Whilst Saints sit pretty at the top of the Super League, Wigan reside just below them, buoyed by a Challenge Cup Final success already in 2022.
But, throughout the season so far, both sides have shown that they are not invincible and that they can be there for the taking if a perfect performance is found.
That leads us on to a potential dark horse to win the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 24 September – Leeds Rhinos.
That statement may be bold, considering that they are not even secure of a play-off spot just yet, but the way in which the West Yorkshire club have been galvanised under new head coach Rohan Smith has been one of the drastic transformations in the history of the summer game.
Remember, this was a club that saw Richard Agar step down with just one win in six games earlier in the season with the Rhinos languishing near the bottom of the Super League table.
Even just two games into Smith’s tenure, the Rhinos job looked like it would be a long one to rebuild.
But, Smith and his staff have worked wonders in such a short space of time to get Leeds firing once more and hunting down those teams above them.
Since Smith took over, Leeds have scored the most points in the top flight whilst their defence has improved considerably.
Add into the mix that all those teams above them are vulnerable in some way, shape or form and the Headingley outfit should be quietly confident heading into the business end of the season.
Smith has quite obviously brought some much-needed calm to the players and has got stars such as Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer firing when they had endured difficult starts to the season.
Add into the mix shrewd recruitment for 2023 in the shape of Justin Sangare from Toulouse Olympique and James McDonnell from the Wigan Warriors and the future looks a lot rosier for the Leeds faithful.
