Not been on here since before grand final loss but with just less than four weeks to go, the January blues are thankfully fading away as new season excitement kicks in!

I watched our game at Widnes on a freezing cold Boxing Day, and 'nipples that could knock someone out if you tit-jabbed them' aside, I was very impressed with the young lads who performed that day. To be honest, I barely knew of many but we collectively looked sharp, fit and fast. Which demonstrates the amount of emphasis our club is placing on the younger players!

Onto 2013.

Despite losing to Leeds on what is their deserved 'home away from home' at OT, I thought 2012 was a brilliant season for us - narrowly missed out on top spot, took the Wembley spoils again and almost came away victorious on Grand Final night. But what are people's honest expectations going into this season? Personally, I think we'll be fighting with Saints and Leeds (depending on their world club challenge aftermath) for top spot. At the risk of upsetting the Wigan fans, I'm not sure Blake Green and Matty Smith is an adequate pairing when you consider the loss of Finch and Leulai! However, we'll see what happens.

I regrettably feel that Saints will improve a lot this season, although a lot depends on Roby's involvement. The guy is hard as nails though and hardly misses a game. I also believe Nathan Brown will be a big influence on their campaign which will also, subsequently, establish a bit of continuity after the disruption of 2012.

I'll potentially go with;

Saints
Wire
Leeds
Wigan
Hull
Catalan
Hudds
Bradford
Wakefield
Hull KR
Castleford
Widnes
Salford
London

I think it'll be a miracle if Salford finish above bottom (fingers crossed they do actually finish the season at all!). London will surely be a different animal with Tony Rae back in charge - he'd already transformed them at the end of last season. So I see them gaining a few places at least. You are right about Wigan - they just haven't replaced the quality they have lost and can see Hull challenging for the top spots. Not sure about Saints - will they follow the recent Brown pattern of a strong start then fade away? Leeds and Catalans will be strong again although the latter will suffer the loss of Robinson. Widnes will bump along at the lower end again whilst all the others will compete for the mid-table.

I'll go for:

Wire
Hull
Leeds
Saints
Wigan
Catalan
Hudds
Bradford
Wakefield
London
Hull KR
Castleford
Widnes
Salford

Fair point, SEB, ie London. Bit of an oversight on my behalf as Tony Rea will coach more consistent performances into his team.

As for Saints, I hope I'm wrong. But if Brown is the missing piece, it could be between them and ourselves. Hull are contenders in my opinion too. Peter Gentle has had a full season with his squad and Ellis alone will bring experience and quality in abundance.

Should be a great season and aslong as we're competing for trophies, it's all we can ask for.

Interesting to see two people placing Wakefield so low. Found good form I. The run up to the play offs and can be a dark horse team to play. I can see them taking 5th or 6th spot if I'm honest.

Hull have some potential, but do most seasons. As Leeds have proved the last two years, the 27 rounds mean nothing.

I think it will be the usual suspects challenging come playoff time.

If the 27 rounds mean nothing what's the point of shelling out to watch them ?

Stains
Wire
Catalan
Leeds
Wigan
Hudds
Hull
London
Bradford
KR
Widnes
Wakefield
Cas
Salford

I watch RL because I love the game and I love my team. The current system is not perfect but I don't just watch RL to see my team win a trophy ( but it is great when they do). I am really looking forward to the start of this season just as much as my previous 30 years of watching Warrington. As I said earlier I know the current system is not perfect and I think the team who finishes top of the league should have a lot easier passage to the Grand Final, but thats my only gripe.

Roll on Super League I can't wait.

Here are my predictions

Wire ( I have had a fiver that we won't lose more than 3 games all season)
Wigan
Stains
Hull
Catalan
Leeds
Hudds
London
Bradford
KR
Widnes
Wakefield
Cas
Salford

As regards my 3 game bet, I know its a tough ask, but last season we lost 5 games out of the 27, Saints home, Catalan, Salford, KR & Broncos all away. Three of those games we should have won, Salford, Broncos and HKR. The Salford & London games we lost because the following week we had big Cup games & the KR game we were 22 - 6 up at half time ( I think).

The only fly in my bet is that this season we will play Saints three times like Wigan have in past seasons & I think they will win one of the three, leaving my bet with only 2 other games to lose.

I actually think we are stronger overall in 2013 than we were in 2011 & 2012. For the three key creative positions of FB, Half backs & hooker we have quality cover.

For FB we have Hodgy & Ratch
For the half's we have Lee, Richie & Gaz (a year older & wiser)
At hooker we have Monas, Mickey & Brad Dywer.

In the forwards Hilly will have a big season & Trent will have now settled into the UK. Simon Grix, Ben H & Tyrone are now entering their best years as forwards.

Welcome aboard Brian.

Without wishing to derail the thread, a trawl through the back catalogue of posts, particularly over the last couple of years when we've done well, will reveal many discussing the format of SL, the play offs, the GF and LLS and who folk consider to be true Champs and the possible devaluation of the regular rounds

I don't know where the optimism regarding us comes from, I doubt there would be that much hope on our board. I'd say Saints are aiming for top 4. We still don't have a fullback or any quality in the outside backs and if Brown doesn't sort the Lance Hohaia problem by moving him to fullback or rotation hooker, we're going to continue to be terrible in the halves.

you'll be in the mix for all the honours on offer..along with us, Leeds, Wigan and Hull.

Sad One, We all known James Roby is a great player. How much do you think Saints rely on him? If James were to suffer a long term injury how do you think this would affect Saints league standing?

I can see London having a decent season his year. Hull will be pushing for the top spot along with us and Catalans. Can see us winning the LLS in Perpignan on September the 8th.

Wire
Catalan
Hull
Wigan
Saints
Leeds
Hudds
HKR
London
Wakey
Bradford
Cas
Widnes
Salford

This will set up a nice first round play off game with The Pies.

Given that you have Brian Brady in your name I am assuming you also thought this in the days before 1973 when the league meant nothing and everything was decided on end of season 'championship playoffs' which were a straight knockout and gave no advantage to finishing higher up the table!

I cant wait for the season to start, I've even got my new deckchairs ready and everything