This will be the 2021 Super League Dream Team… according to the bookies

As the 2021 season gets within touching distance, the favourites to make the Dream Team have been released.

Fullback: Bevan French 6/4

The fullback position holds two of the competition’s very best players, but according to the bookies, French will retain his 2020 Dream Team spot. It will be far from a one-horse race though, as Lachlan Coote is a world class talent and will push him all the way for a second season. 

Wingers: Tommy Makinson 3/1 and Ash Handley 9/2

It’s no real surprise that Makinson is the favourite to make the Dream Team. He has proven himself to be the competition’s top winger, and if he can get a consistent run of games, he’s sure to be in the conversation yet again. If the bookies have it right, Handley is set to make a third successive appearance in the Dream Team, which would be an extremely impressive achievement. 

Centres: Konrad Hurrell 7/2 and Greg Inglis 3/1

Hurrell is the second Leeds player predicted to make a third successive appearance, but with some serious competition, the Tongan will need to be at the top of his game. Inglis is tipped to make the side in his debut season in Super League. No one can question his talent and athleticism, but with the likes of Kevin Naiqama, Oliver Gildart, Mark Percival and many others in contention, it’s a difficult one to call. 

Halfbacks: Jonny Lomax 3/1 and Aidan Sezer 2/1

Jonny Lomax has been consistently fantastic in recent seasons, and if Saints are to claim silverware this year, Lomax will undoubtedly be part of the conversation. As well as being favourite to make it in the halves, Sezer is also a favourite for Man of Steel. Huddersfield’s season is potentially the most interesting of any team in the league, with so much speculation about where they will end up. However, any success they do have will be heavily influenced by Sezer.

Props:  Alex Walmsley 6/4 and Liam Watts 6/1

Alex Walmsley has been an integral part of the Saints pack for years and has somehow only made two Dream Teams. With a place in the England World Cup side up for grabs, it will be extremely important for Walmsley to maintain his form. Liam Watts is another man trying to put his name at the forefront of Shaun Wane’s mind. After being a contender for Man of Steel in 2019, Watts had a quiet follow-up year, but is tipped to return to form this season. 

Hooker: Daryl Clark 9/4

Daryl Clark is predicted to make the Dream Team for a third time. His pace and intelligence make him an essential player for Warrington and so it is not as a surprise to see him made favourite. It is a testament to what people expect from Clark, that he has made it in over last year’s Man of Steel, Paul McShane. 

Second Row: Liam Farrell 3/1 and Manu Ma’u 9/2 

Farrell is another player who is predicted to make a third consecutive Dream Team appearance. Wigan’s left edge is one of the most dangerous in the league, and if he continues to link up with Hastings as effectively as last season, he’ll remain one of the most feared in the league. Manu Ma’u is also considered to likely to make this season’s side. Ma’u has had a solid start to life in Super League, but with some NRL stars joining Super League, he will need a particularly strong season.

Loose Forward: Bateman 6/5   

Bateman is a stronger favourite than anyone else, and with his résumé, it’s clear to see why. After a fantastic spell at Canberra, where he was voted the league’s best second-rower in 2019, he returned to Wigan. Having been awarded the ’13’ shirt for the upcoming season, Bateman is expected to take on a relatively new role at loose forward. As he joins the current champions, and having been a rare success down under, the expectations on Bateman are huge.