Super League playoffs for top 6 - it’s wide open

[Gerrumonside ref]

Wigan and Hull KR look to both be in a great position to tie up positions 1st and 2nd (home games in the semis) - but the rest of the playoff places look pretty wide open to me.

Of course momentum and healthy players are key going into the final weeks of the season, but also getting a home game by finishing 3rd or 4th would be some advantage.

Theres still a lot teams who will think they have a chance and every team in the league looks competitive now with the exception of Salford.

Huddersfield and Castleford will have a say.

Makes for a good finale to the season especially with all games being televised.

How do you see it at this stage?

 

Edited June 22 by Gerrumonside ref

[Tommygilf]

Next 3 games for Leeds will determine a lot. Including the last Saints game I said 6 points from a total 8 would see Leeds really cement themselves in claiming that third place position.

As you say its wide open and will come down to fine margins. Teams having off days will be punished.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Yep, couple of weeks ago I though Leeds were strongly going to claim third and push Wigan.

Could still happen but now Leigh up there too.

The run in should be great, looking forward to it even though this isn’t a vintage Saints season so far.

[Damien]

Bar a huge collapse Hull KR, Wigan, Leigh and Leeds look pretty nailed on for the top 6 and are in pole position for the top 4. Hard to see past Saints joining them too despite their inconsistency and I can see Wakefield getting the 6th spot, which would mark a great first season back for them.

Finishing top is pretty much irrelevant in this system but I think you'd want to be finishing in the top two, for the game less and home advantage, if you have a chance of that. I think that'll be Hull KR and Wigan. Failing that the top 4 for that 1st week home advantage and  I can see that being Leeds 3rd and Leigh 4th. Outside trying to achieve those positions, if they are in your reach, the closing stretch is more about peaking for the play offs. No point flogging yourself if you've nothing left for the knock out stage.

[Luke HKR]

Leeds\Leigh this week, that is now bigger with Leeds losing. Still think they will both get in, just which way round. I fancy Leigh for third, Leeds fourth.

If Hull actually win at home soon, think they will be in the six as they must have quite a few home games left.especially when they get some of there injured players back (Aista and some second rows) then a toss up between Wakefield and Saints. Saints play there last game v Salford this weekend. But still fancy Wakefield, again especially when they get some of there pack back. They have looked good most of the season, Saints patchy. 

 

 

[MZH]

3 hours ago, Luke HKR said:

Leeds\Leigh this week, that is now bigger with Leeds losing. Still think they will both get in, just which way round. I fancy Leigh for third, Leeds fourth.

If Hull actually win at home soon, think they will be in the six as they must have quite a few home games left.especially when they get some of there injured players back (Aista and some second rows) then a toss up between Wakefield and Saints. Saints play there last game v Salford this weekend. But still fancy Wakefield, again especially when they get some of there pack back. They have looked good most of the season, Saints patchy. 

 

 

A lot has been made of our home form, but we've played so few home games, the only real disappointment was the Cas game. The others were defeats against Wigan and yourselves, and a very well earned draw against Leigh. I'm sure we will win a few at home soon.

[WN83]

I've got a feeling Leigh could really push Wigan for second, especially if they beat them in a couple of weeks and either way, I think they'll have a real crack at the play offs. I've been so impressed with Ofahengaue since he came in and he looks to be taking that pack to another level. If they can get Armstrong fully fit, I think they'll surprise a few. 

[FearTheVee]

Some key injuries at the wrong time for Saints but Salford this week is as close to a gimme as you can get. Then four big games out of five coming up in terms of the playoffs: Hull FC (H), Leeds (A), Leigh (H) and Wakey (A).

Think we need to beat Hull and Wakey as a minimum out of those games to be confident of making the 6, and there is absolutely no guarantee we will beat either.

This is the first year I've genuinely thought we might miss the play-offs but I take some comfort from the fact that despite how bad we've been against the better teams for some time now, I do think the team is still playing for Wellens and isn't a lost cause just yet.

Edited June 23 by FearTheVee

[WN83]

41 minutes ago, FearTheVee said:

Some key injuries at the wrong time for Saints but Salford this week is as close to a gimme as you can get. Then four big games out of five coming up in terms of the playoffs: Hull FC (H), Leeds (A), Leigh (H) and Wakey (A).

Think we need to beat Hull and Wakey as a minimum out of those games to be confident of making the 6, and there is absolutely no guarantee we will beat either.

This is the first year I've genuinely thought we might miss the play-offs but I take some comfort from the fact that despite how bad we've been against the better teams for some time now, I do think the team is still playing for Wellens and isn't a lost cause just yet.

I think there are some green shoots for Saints at the minute and a real reminder that for clubs like Saints, Wigan, Leeds etc, things can turn very quickly because you just never know what could be waiting to come through the academy and if you get a few good ones making an impact, it only takes a couple of good signings and it's flipped. Obviously Robertson and Whitby look class but Dagnall is now pushing through, as is Stephens. If Saints can sign a good centre and a couple of good forwards for 2026, they'll be right back in the mix IMO. 

[Luke HKR]

6 hours ago, MZH said:

A lot has been made of our home form, but we've played so few home games, the only real disappointment was the Cas game. The others were defeats against Wigan and yourselves, and a very well earned draw against Leigh. I'm sure we will win a few at home soon.

I think it's just a mental thing, win one and your off. Lose a few more and it becomes a problem. And as I said, if you start winning at home, think you'll be in the six. Which would cap off an amazing turn around from last season.

[Harry Stottle]

Leigh's next 4 very difficult, Leeds away, Wigan home, HKR home, Saints away,

That's positions in order as we stand 4th, 2nd, 1st and 5th, could be the make or break of the season.

[Chris22]

2 hours ago, FearTheVee said:

Some key injuries at the wrong time for Saints but Salford this week is as close to a gimme as you can get. Then four big games out of five coming up in terms of the playoffs: Hull FC (H), Leeds (A), Leigh (H) and Wakey (A).

Think we need to beat Hull and Wakey as a minimum out of those games to be confident of making the 6, and there is absolutely no guarantee we will beat either.

This is the first year I've genuinely thought we might miss the play-offs but I take some comfort from the fact that despite how bad we've been against the better teams for some time now, I do think the team is still playing for Wellens and isn't a lost cause just yet.

Our win on Friday was very significant.

If we beat Salford, Castleford (x2) and Huddersfield as you would expect, I think we only need 2 or 3 more wins from the other 8 to guarantee a play off spot (from Leeds, Hull FC twice, Leigh twice, Wakefield, Wigan and Hull KR).

[Chris22]

Back to the point of the thread, Hull KR, Wigan, Leigh and Leeds look secure to me.

Before the weekend I thought Saints and Warrington. I'm now less sure about Warrington as a gap is opening up. I'd now say Wakefield for that last spot but things can change, especially if Warrington get their act together because they have a lot of winnable games.

[Harry Stottle]

Forgot to say that Leigh of the 12 games left have 4 away and 8 at home.

Leeds H&A

Saints H&A

Wire H&A

Wigan H

HKR H

Salford H

Tigers H

Giants H

Hull FC A

[Chrispmartha]

3 hours ago, FearTheVee said:

Some key injuries at the wrong time for Saints but Salford this week is as close to a gimme as you can get. Then four big games out of five coming up in terms of the playoffs: Hull FC (H), Leeds (A), Leigh (H) and Wakey (A).

Think we need to beat Hull and Wakey as a minimum out of those games to be confident of making the 6, and there is absolutely no guarantee we will beat either.

This is the first year I've genuinely thought we might miss the play-offs but I take some comfort from the fact that despite how bad we've been against the better teams for some time now, I do think the team is still playing for Wellens and isn't a lost cause just yet.

Saints have got Salford this week, haven't they literally just played them? 
 

the fixtures this year are just nonsensical 

[FearTheVee]

4 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

Saints have got Salford this week, haven't they literally just played them? 
 

the fixtures this year are just nonsensical 

Yep, then Leeds again in a couple of weeks.

Across a block of just FIVE games, we play both Salford and Leeds twice. Absolutely nonsensical.

Edited June 23 by FearTheVee

[The Mighty Trin]

1 hour ago, Chris22 said:

Back to the point of the thread, Hull KR, Wigan, Leigh and Leeds look secure to me.

Before the weekend I thought Saints and Warrington. I'm now less sure about Warrington as a gap is opening up. I'd now say Wakefield for that last spot but things can change, especially if Warrington get their act together because they have a lot of winnable games.

Agree with the top part, however Warrington have been very disappointing, I know they are down in numbers but really can't see them doing anything this season. I think it's between us and FC for that 6th spot. We of course are expecting a few bodies to return in a few weeks time and as someone said FC will win alot of their home games I believe, so it's going to be an exciting end to the season. If we lose at the KC Stadium they will have beaten us twice and therefore we could say FC will deserve that 6th spot & we will look back at the whole season and look at those 5/6 games we have lost by 4pts. I'm happy how consistent we have been this season barr 3 half's of different games. That win on Friday against Wigan as to be one of the best performances Trinity fans have witnessed in recent times however its all to play for and whoever gets 6th spot deserves it but won't make any difference come to Old Trafford. It will be KR & Wigan again I think  

[dboy]

As a Trinity fan, I'm over the moon that we are even been talked about as top 6 contenders at this (or any), stage of the season.

However it plays out, it's already been a remarkable season for Trinity.

[Chrispmartha]

4 minutes ago, dboy said:

As a Trinity fan, I'm over the moon that we are even been talked about as top 6 contenders at this (or any), stage of the season.

However it plays out, it's already been a remarkable season for Trinity.

I'm pleased for Wakefield they are a good club, I'm also pleased for Daryl Powell who took way too much stick whilst at Warrington and I think it's clear to say that he wasn't the issue there

Edited June 23 by Chrispmartha

[MZH]

The next 3 are critical for Hull's playoff chances. Warrington away followed by Saints and Wakefield at home. Winning all 3 might be a stretch, but if we could I think we have one foot in the playoffs. But even 2/3 puts us in good shape. We then have Wigan away which I see as a free hit, before, on paper, the 2 easiest games of the season against Hudds and Salford at home (Huddersfield are very much resurgent at the moment though).

When we learned Asiata was done for 8 or 9 weeks we knew we would just have to grind out the results until his return. We are currently 2/3, if we can see off that period with 6/9 and get Asiata and Pryce back for the run in we will be very happy with that. 

[Wellsy4HullFC]

29 minutes ago, MZH said:

The next 3 are critical for Hull's playoff chances. Warrington away followed by Saints and Wakefield at home. Winning all 3 might be a stretch, but if we could I think we have one foot in the playoffs. But even 2/3 puts us in good shape. We then have Wigan away which I see as a free hit, before, on paper, the 2 easiest games of the season against Hudds and Salford at home (Huddersfield are very much resurgent at the moment though).

When we learned Asiata was done for 8 or 9 weeks we knew we would just have to grind out the results until his return. We are currently 2/3, if we can see off that period with 6/9 and get Asiata and Pryce back for the run in we will be very happy with that. 

Yeah these next 3 weeks could be make it break for us. With the injuries we've got, I do with we won't get through. If we can somehow keep done form together, we could solidify a spot on the 6. Lose them, and we've lost ground on all of our main rivals for the 6.

[MZH]

2 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

Yeah these next 3 weeks could be make it break for us. With the injuries we've got, I do with we won't get through. If we can somehow keep done form together, we could solidify a spot on the 6. Lose them, and we've lost ground on all of our main rivals for the 6.

I know all teams look back at the end of the season and rue missed opportunities, but I hope we don’t live to regret the Huddersfield and Leeds defeats. There's no doubt in my mind that we beat Huddersfield if Knight doesn't have his rush of blood. And we really should have seen off Leeds. Win those two and we would currently be sitting in 3rd with a 3 point buffer over Leeds and Saints. Although like I said, all team will have games like that where they feel they really should have won.

[Harry Stottle]

18 hours ago, Chrispmartha said:

Saints have got Salford this week, haven't they literally just played them? 
 

the fixtures this year are just nonsensical 

With the loop fixtures any club that has got Salford 3 times has virtually been given 2 extra points and a good hey up on the points difference.

Looking at the competeing teams for 'promotion' in the Championship to replace Salford - which must definitely happen - I can see nothing different happening next season, non of those competing teams to take the step up have done anything with boosting their playing Roster to prepare for life in SL as did Wakefield last year and Leigh 3 years ago, Inbetween them were London who also did nothing with their squad and albeit they were relegated before a ball was kicked would have been completely on their own at the bottom but for Hull FC playing their get out of jail free card.

I don't like loop fixtures at all, but if as some people hope for suggest we move to a 14 team SL, elevating 3 Championship clubs who would effectively take positions 12, 13 and 14 on the League Ladder would not be good for the competition, so the teams finishing this season in an even numbered position on the ladder would play clubs 12th and 14th in loop fixtures, and odd numbered finishes would play the 13th. 

There are a number of factors that could come into play being detrimental with having a 14 team SL, and one of the big ones could be the TV contract, next season is the last of the present contract and we could have multiple fixtures each week that may very well be non competitive affairs as are Salford's this season, I can't see how that would help negotiations going forward.

A 14 team SL could be the worst of the two options that or carrying on with Loop fixtures.

Just a thought.

[Harry Stottle]

Just carrying on from above and the Loopy fixtures this season, the teams that have got Salford for the extra fixture being HKR, Saints, Leeds, Cas and Wakefield, could apart from Cas prove to be effective in finishing in the top 6, and in KR's case getting the top gong.

[MZH]

1 hour ago, Harry Stottle said:

Just carrying on from above and the Loopy fixtures this season, the teams that have got Salford for the extra fixture being HKR, Saints, Leeds, Cas and Wakefield, could apart from Cas prove to be effective in finishing in the top 6, and in KR's case getting the top gong.

I hope it doesn't happen, but if Salford do go under and their results are wiped it would certainly give the table a different look. I think for Saints in particular it would be very harmful.