It barely feels like five minutes ago I was witnessing Ryan Shaw race down the wing to cement Hull KR’s place back in Super League. But the great game makes its comeback this week, with the competition absolutely wide open.
For a sport that reportedly doesn’t know which direction it’s heading in over the next 12 months, the excitement is hitting fever pitch. The division’s long-term plan needs to be unveiled sooner rather than later but it’s time to buckle up again for another nine months of grit, passion and determination.
Growing up, I can vividly remember St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls dominating the sport. The latter has now fallen to the depths of the third tier, but it’s seen a number of teams catch up with the so-called ‘bigwigs’.
Castleford Tigers took everyone by surprise in 2017, by far and away the best team on the park. Hull FC again proved their silverware credentials, albeit in the Challenge Cup, and it was the resurgent Rhinos who battled from the brink two years ago to secure Grand Final glory last October.
Wakefield Trinity have surged up the table, whilst Salford also hit the top four at some stage before plummeting down the table once safety was assured.
Prepare to flip the script once again, however, because it’s bound to be another whirlwind year.
Rovers-wise, the ultimate goal is purely maintaining their spot in the top division. That is of the utmost importance and whilst not many are backing KR to reach the top-eight, I feel they are much better equipped this time around to survive any Qualifiers qualms.
For the Black and Whites, I expect Lee Radford’s men to build yet again on another successful season. Reaching Old Trafford is the aim for FC, and I feel anything less will feel like an anti-climax for a side that is desperate to taste an Old Trafford triumph after ruling the roost at Wembley over the last two years.
This sport often beats itself down internally. Time to get behind this, literally, Super League and show the world why the 13-a-side code deserves its name in lights.
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