I think they will be tough to beat at home like 2 seasons ago - I think they credited themselves on that under Potter but last season I dont think the away games to Catalan were as hard as the season before. I think they will have another blinder this year in the home games. I think they can definately make the 8.

I think they'll be among a group of 11 teams pushing for top 8! You would expect Leeds to finish top with Saints pushing 2nd but after that any one from Wire, Wigan, Les Cats, Hull KR, Huddersfield, Hull, Bradford, Wakey & Cas could finish in any of the play off places. Only Salford, Crusaders & probably Quins will be out of contention.

Les Cats will be tough to beat at home & will ruffle a few feathers away. Their biggest issues are strength in depth - the loss of McGuire/Bosc/Mogg or Greenshields would hit them harder than most other teams should they lose a player from those pivotal positions.

That's the one for me, if they get that right, they'll go close. They have all the ingrediants, decent backs, big pack, good halves, versatility [ie, it's no biggy for them to slot say Raguin at centre].

Problem with them is, you're watching them, and you go to say to whoever you're watching the game with[i "They'll give away a penalty in a minu.... SEE ..."[/i

Daft buggers like Elima, Ferriol, Casty. They do all the hard work then release the pressure.

If Johnson can carry on what Bird did, I thought he looked to try and instil some steel into them, he got off the line, all that sort of stuff, I'm with you, I think they'll go close.

I'd like to think Us, Wigan & Catalans, perhaps Bradford are the four most likely to trouble the top two. [I know Hudds & Hull KR might have something to say about that.]

I think Hull FC an Wakefield may have something to say as well, you never know.

I think Warrington, Catalans and Wigan will occupy 3rd-5th spot, don't know in which order though. After that there is all the other teams appart from Salford and Celtic fighting for the 8.

But it looks like most of these northern clubs are managing to convince them judging by the numbers of Aussies streaming into Super League every year....

I'm not sure. Most Aussie RL players are a little 'dolly dimple' to say the least and the thought of having to a) learn another language after not having mastered English since the colonial end in 1931 , b) pay €6 for 500ml of beer may just be that step too far when they can go on holiday in Stockton Heath