Castleford Hawk

The transition year was never going to be perfect but this probably represents as fair a solution as possible. I also like the Super 8s between Champ and L1, the differential is not that great at this level so anything could happen. At the other end it will be interesting to see what the “increased prize money” is for the Champ winners in comparison to missing out on the SL £1m plus. 3 divisions of 12 sounds right to me but contradicts the “if you get a grade A you’re in” pitch. If we suddenly get 14 grade A’s then the Champ and L1 structures are up in the air again.

I think it is a good idea to freshen up,say every 10 years. That way generations of greats who follow the likes of Goldthorpe, Todd and Sutherland are also remembered. Hanley, Offiah, Schofield etc deserve their day in the sun.

There are millions involved in missing out on SL, if this was the real thing I suspect we would be seeing court action. Even now the squabbling and fallouts do not portray the game in a good light to any would be investors. Why anybody thought this was a better option than on field performance and minimum standards is beyond me.

L1 was always on borrowed time once the central funding was cut, just a case of who folded first and how many. The RFL/IMG must (surely) have discussed life outside of SL over the last 2 years, after all the strap line is “re-imagining the game” not “re-imagining Super League”. The question now is whether the desired number have fallen by the wayside to implement the master plan. If not then clubs could be left to rot for another season rather than act now. The problem is there may be more casualties than would thought, and more players drift away from the game. Champ clubs have a simple decision, are you prepared to put a nail in the coffin of the likes of Rochdale, Hunslet, Keighley, Workington by delaying a merger or will the rugby league family rally round.

Hope you guys stay up as Killer deserves to coach at a higher level. Has been brilliant for us. Total professional in everything he does, always raising the bar. You’ve got a good ‘un.

The Grade A League will be in place and financially benefitting from increased central funding due to a combination of IMG’s effective marketing and a greater slice of the central funding cake. Promotion and relegation will still be possible but not probable. Lack of financial support will have seen the League 1 development clubs disappear, whilst the remaining teams will join with the Championship and play a conference style tournament in the heartlands. it will be compulsory for all under 18s to wear a scrum cap. Teams will revert to only 2 subs due to reduced player pool, save on costs and also in the hope that the game’s intensity diminishes (less injuries). Alternatively, things will be the same as now with everything on hold until the 22 grading appeals from 2023 are dealt with in the courts.

Back in the 70s tackling round the legs was seen as the most effective way of stopping an opponent. What caused the shift to the upper body? Was it the additional meters the defending team has to retreat?

The population of Leeds is 800k. Rhinos averaged 13k in 2022. So there is quite a bit to go at still.

In the unlikely event this happened wouldn’t 4th place finisher be seen as higher than top of the championship? Could this be a scenario where the top league is increased if the top of the championship winner is viewed as ticking enough boxes? I suspect the euphoria of a final day promotion will disappear as the bureaucrats work out whether all the criteria has been met during the close season.

A classic….