I realise it’s early (very) days but I’m a bit giddy so I thought I’d ask what does success in 2019 look like for you?

The Championship is going to be an incredibly exciting competition in 2019, far and a way more so than the increasingly stale super league imo. I’d want to aspire to something a bit greater than not getting relegated but getting in that top 5 is going to take some serious effort. So for me if we nabbed 5th I’d be absolutely chuffed. Battling with us for 5th are a clutch of unknowns. Will York build adequately? Will Feath have stabilised? Here’s my best guess:

Toronto
Toulouse
Widnes
Fax
Bradford

Hard to say before we see the finished squad but I'd urge people to temper their expectations a little.
There are some big clubs in this division now, some with far more money than we will ever have and I think trying to go toe to toe with them would be a mistake.

I don't for one second think or expect us to make the top 5. Anything from 6th to 9th is probably more realistic.

Possibly Leigh (if they survive). I think it is getting like football where the second tier competition is more exciting than the top division. It should be remembered that only 4 teams have ever been SL champions and we are one of those.
REgarding tempering expectations ideally I'd be happy with anything above third from bottom.
I know the champions of our division are promoted but how are the champions decided? Is it the team that finishes top ( bit obvious for RFL) or do we mirror SL and have a top 5 play-off? OR will it be decided 3 weeks before the end of the season?

Top 5 playoff and a grand-final for promotion I believe.

York will strengthen, and Fev will be in the mix somewhere. Looking like an exciting competition.

Let's be honest, staying away form relegation would be a start!

Looking at the other clubs in there, many with stable squads and plenty of experience, I would say that mid table would be 'success'

The new Championship promotion system is, to quote John Keyes, a complete farce. There is an image in the link below that explains how it works.

rlhttps://www.rugby-league.com/2019_structurerl

I think we can expect to hold our own next year, though I wouldn't be pinning my hopes on getting to the top 5. I reckon we need more strength in the pack to make top 5.

Above all else I want stability, and to cement ourselves as a competitive Championship team. That's 6th to 10th and I think that's the most likely scenario. 5th to me would be wonderful, and whilst it is my dream outcome, it would surpass my expectations.

It's fine to aim for top 5 but realistically I think that's beyond us unless we strengthen quite a bit. Staying up is the main aim for me.

I agree with 6th - 10th, anywhere above 8th would do for me top 5 would be amazing.

I am beginning to think that, should Skolars, Cov and Newcastle develop well, SL pulling up the drawbridge could be one of the best outcomes.

They'd be stuck in the infamous M62 Corridor whilst the lower leagues still have French and Capital representation but also wider GB and Toronto. With the Ch getting this tight it could easily be the better proposition in the coming decade... if the RFL pull their fingers out, stop kissing Leneghan's 4rse....

Oh for the day Leeds apply to join the National League and resign from the M62 Super League

To be honest I would never expect top 5.

I think we'll slot into the middle quite well as, to be fair, there's little difference between the top end of champ 1 and the bottom end of the championship. I'd be pleasantly surprised to be in the top five, come next October and quite shocked if we were in the bottom 5. The difference in the divisions is nothing like moving from the championship to SL. Let's see what our squad is like before the season starts.

I agree with others. I think we'll comfortably be in that middle table, challenging for the play-offs. We'll be no where near relegation. Even last year, we'd have finished 9th in the table if it wasn't for the 12 point deduction. That was with no players with 2 weeks until the start of the season, no pre-season and having to watch Oscar Thomas and Illiess Macani "did deep" If that team can finish 9th in terms of just points earned, then the one we'll have for next year, with a full pre-season, a coach who knows the league, will be a different animal. I do think the playoffs will be out of reach as the championship will be a fantastic league next year, but i think we can definitely have a crack.

It's hard to work out with no finished squads who will finish where.

Toronto i think will walk it, especially if Rowley goes and Mcdermott comes in.

Toulouse - Improved every year and i expect them to be a force again next year.

Widnes - Interested to see how they'll go. Parachute payment but lets be honest, they've been a championship team getting battered in SL last 2 seasons. They won one game throughout the middle 8, a chief exec who milks RL but gives nothing in return (Steve Ferres anyone) a club disconnected with it's fans. Although it's very early days, apart from Liam Hood, none of the signings/re-signings are anything special. They are signing some of their excellent kids up, but as we know, you don't get protected in the championship like in SL. Have to see how the shape up come the new season, but right now, it doesn't look promising.

Halifax - Consistently punch above their wait. Consistent team and will probably finish in the top 5.

Fev - 3 impressive signings in the PNG lads, plus Brad Day and James Harrison. However they have lost a lot of players due to not making top 5. Whether they have the strength in depth for the whole season. I think they are continuing with the unpopular partnership with Leeds. Good when they get the players, but when they don't, they look a little short. Still expect them to make the 5 though.

Leigh - Best case scenario IMO is even surviving admin, that will still leave them incredibly weak in terms of getting a team together. Think it will be a fight for survival for them next year.

Sheffield - Interesting one, been fighting at the bottom of the league for last couple of seasons, but they seem to be signing the top PT players who brought them so much success in the championship. One to watch IMO.

York Like us, probably mid-table but the ability to challenge for the top 5. A club on the up, fantastic young coach, new stadium on the way. Again, like us they'll need to recruit, they've lost arguably their best player Joe Batchelor, though i still expect him to play for them a bit throughout the year/

Dewsbury/Batley - know what you get, tough to beat, but not consistent enough to challenge for the play-offs.

Barrow/Rochdale/Swinton - Fighting it for relegation.

As i said, thats just based on right now, a lot will inevitably change before the new season.

Comfortably a couple of wins or losses either side of halfway a reasonable ambition.

Top 5 a bonus.

I think we have a strong starting 17. I think even this squad we have now would have comfortably avoided relegation from this season's Championship division.

McNally, Hytchcox, Gibson, Webster, Ryan. Toronto aside, That's as good as any backline in the championship this season for mine

First choice pack not too shabby either.