The way the league and competition is structured you dont have to be the best team throughout the year, just the last handful of games, which Leeds were.

When the game really mattered, Leeds were the best team and won more knockout games last year than anyone else (CC and playoffs / GF).

I know what your saying though, consistancy isnt rewarded with the current structure so much.

That's probably one of the reasons leeds are so successful at rearing young talent in the modern era. They bring them into the team and they have the protection of Ryan Bailey.

TBH the game is totally different now so "protection" isn't needed, instead it's about playing behind a pack that's going forward and making ground.

There aren't hardmen/psychos like Sorensen/Grima etc around nowadays, Bailey isn't in their league for nastiness nor would he get away with that kind of thing now if he tried.

Leeds are successful now because they have the right culture in the club and a clear pathway from the juniors to the 1st team. In the 90s the opposite was the case.

No we're not. According to most on RLFans we're so succesful because of the structure of the playoffs.

Apologies for noticing all those trophies being won when it really matters

And the fact that Hetherington owns the RFL, don't forget that.