[Pumpetypump]

Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:00 am  

I realise it’s early (very) days but I’m a bit giddy so I thought I’d ask what does success in 2019 look like for you?

The Championship is going to be an incredibly exciting competition in 2019, far and a way more so than the increasingly stale super league imo. I’d want to aspire to something a bit greater than not getting relegated but getting in that top 5 is going to take some serious effort. So for me if we nabbed 5th I’d be absolutely chuffed. Battling with us for 5th are a clutch of unknowns. Will York build adequately? Will Feath have stabilised? Here’s my best guess:

Toronto
Toulouse
Widnes
Fax
Bradford

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:30 am  

Hard to say before we see the finished squad but I'd urge people to temper their expectations a little.
There are some big clubs in this division now, some with far more money than we will ever have and I think trying to go toe to toe with them would be a mistake.

I don't for one second think or expect us to make the top 5. Anything from 6th to 9th is probably more realistic.

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:35 am  

Possibly Leigh (if they survive). I think it is getting like football where the second tier competition is more exciting than the top division. It should be remembered that only 4 teams have ever been SL champions and we are one of those.
REgarding tempering expectations ideally I'd be happy with anything above third from bottom.
I know the champions of our division are promoted but how are the champions decided? Is it the team that finishes top ( bit obvious for RFL) or do we mirror SL and have a top 5 play-off? OR will it be decided 3 weeks before the end of the season?

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:42 am  

Top 5 playoff and a grand-final for promotion I believe.

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:56 am  

York will strengthen, and Fev will be in the mix somewhere. Looking like an exciting competition.

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:44 am  

Let's be honest, staying away form relegation would be a start!

Looking at the other clubs in there, many with stable squads and plenty of experience, I would say that mid table would be 'success'

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:29 am  

The new Championship promotion system is, to quote John Keyes, a complete farce. There is an image in the link below that explains how it works. http://www.rugby-league.com/2019_structure I think we can expect to hold our own next year, though I wouldn't be pinning my hopes on getting to the top 5. I reckon we need more strength in the pack to make top 5.

The new Championship promotion system is, to quote John Keyes, a complete farce. There is an image in the link below that explains how it works. http://www.rugby-league.com/2019_structure I think we can expect to hold our own next year, though I wouldn't be pinning my hopes on getting to the top 5. I reckon we need more strength in the pack to make top 5.

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:38 am  

Above all else I want stability, and to cement ourselves as a competitive Championship team. That's 6th to 10th and I think that's the most likely scenario. 5th to me would be wonderful, and whilst it is my dream outcome, it would surpass my expectations.

[Bullseye]

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:43 am  

It's fine to aim for top 5 but realistically I think that's beyond us unless we strengthen quite a bit. Staying up is the main aim for me.

Re: Championship 2019 : Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:57 am  

I agree with 6th - 10th, anywhere above 8th would do for me top 5 would be amazing.