Thursday 4 February 2016 11:04, UK
Super League is back as Leeds prepare to defend their title after their treble-winning season in 2015.
Leeds open the season with a tough test against Warrington, who are one of the teams gunning for the Super League Crown.
As always, Wigan and St Helens will also be contenders but Barrie McDermott says Hull FC and Catalans Dragons will also have high expectations in 2016.
Key man: Luke Gale
Young gun: Will Maher
Ins: Ben Crooks (Parramatta Eels), Jy Hitchcox (Featherstone Rovers), Paul McShane (Wakefield), Greg Minikin (York City Knights), Joel Monaghan (Warrington), Gadwin Springer (Catalans)
Outs: Michael Channing (Featherstone Rovers), James Clare (Bradford Bulls), Steve Crossley (Bradford), Liam Finn (Wakefield), Ashley Gibson (Wakefield), Jordan Tansey (Wakefield), Scott Wheeldon (Sheffield Eagles)
Daryl Powell has proved over a number of years that he is very good at moulding a team. He has got a solid and reliable set of forwards, pace out on the flanks and some really intelligent decision-makers like Luke Gale and Ben Robinson. If they can go one better than last season's fifth spot then it would be another year of progression for them.
However, strength in depth could be an issue for Cas. All the teams that run with a modest budget have a worry over strength in depth which means the young players will have to step-up when called upon.
Key man: Todd Carney
Young gun: Fouad Yaha
Ins: Paul Aiton (Leeds), Jodie Broughton (Huddersfield), Justin Horo (Manly), Richard Myler (Warrington), Pat Richards (Wests Tigers), Glenn Stewart (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Dave Taylor (Gold Coast Titans)
Outs: Scott Dureau (retired), Ben Garcia (Penrith Panthers), Ian Henderson (Sydney Roosters), Kevin Larroyer (Hull KR), Jeff Lima (Canberra Raiders), Michael Oldfield (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mathias Pala (released), Gadwin Springer (Castleford), Zeb Taia (Gold Coast Titans), Willie Tonga (Leigh), Elliot Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
The Dragons have signed some superb players like Paul Aiton from Leeds, David Taylor, Glenn Stewart, Richie Myler and of course Pat Richards. Laurent Frayssinous has assembled a squad who can realistically target a top-four spot, strength in depth is not going to be a problem for them.
Catalans are an outstanding team on paper, but I watched them a couple of weeks ago against Huddersfield and it only proved to me that you don't win games on paper. They aren't right yet but they can't afford a slow start. Another concern is their away form - they were superb last season at home but woeful on the road.
Key man: Danny Brough
Young Gun: Josh Johnson
Ins: Ryan Hinchcliffe (Melbourne Storm), Sam Rapira (New Zealand Warriors), Daniel Smith (Wakefield)
Outs: Jodie Broughton (Catalans), Brett Ferres (Leeds), Craig Kopczak (Salford), Shaun Lunt (Hull KR), Anthony Mullally (Leeds)
The Giants do have a few injuries but will still be looking to get off to a good start with the team they put out. Brett Ferres leaving during pre-season was unfortunate and could prove costly if they don't replace him soon, as his absence makes them very light in the forwards and was very much their go to man. The engine room must set the platform. Huddersfield will be looking to Danny Brough to help guide them once again - if he plays well then they play well.
Key man: Frank Pritchard
Young gun: Jansin Turgut
Ins: Mahe Fonua (Melbourne Storm), Sika Manu (Penrith Panthers), Frank Pritchard (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Scott Taylor (Salford), Carlos Tuimavave (Newcastle Knights), Danny Washbrook (Wakefield)
Outs: Stuart Howarth (Wakefield), Tom Lineham (Warrington), Mickey Paea (Newcastle Knights), Jordan Rankin (Wests Tigers), Setaimata Sa (Widnes), Joe Westerman (Warrington)
If we are judging teams on their pre-season friendlies then Hull FC look very good indeed - they put 60 points past their rivals Hull KR. I have heard Hull FC described as a car that has the right engine, the right body and chassis, but perhaps not the right Sat Nav.
If Marc Sneyd and Leon Pryce can get it right and steer them around the pitch then Hull FC can trouble anyone. I think this may be the year that they finish as high as sixth and make a really good fist of the play-offs.
Key man: Terry Campese
Young gun: Thomas Minns
Ins: Chris Clarkson (Leeds), James Greenwood (Wigan), Kevin Larroyer (Catalans), Shaun Lunt (Huddersfield), Thomas Minns (Leeds), Rob Mulhern (Leeds), Ryan Shaw (Bradford), Iain Thornley (Salford), Dane Tilse (Canberra Raiders)
Outs: Ryan Bailey, Jordan Cox (Warrington), Darrell Goulding (retired), Jamie Langley (retired), Tyrone McCarthy (St George Illawarra Dragons), Connor Robinson (released), Kris Welham (Bradford), Michael Weyman (retired)
There have been a lot of changes at KR and Chris Chester, who is a developing coach, could be forgiven for thinking he has a lot to do. He has to mould and shape this group into the form he feels can take them forward this year and he needs to give them a structure and game plan. They are a very big, physical side - they will play to that strength but is not all about muscle and trying to outfight the opposition, it is about out-thinking and outplaying your opponents. That will come down to Terry Campese and Albert Kelly. Campese can play the game at the pace he wants - he can slow it down or speed it up whenever he wants.
Key man: Danny McGuire
Young gun: Jordan Lilley
Ins: Jordan Baldwinson (Featherstone Rovers), Beau Falloon (Gold Coast Titans), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield), Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers), Mitch Garbutt (Brisbane Broncos), Anthony Mullally (Huddersfield)
Outs: Paul Aiton (Catalans), Chris Clarkson (Hull KR), Kylie Leuluai (retired), Thomas Minns (Hull KR), Rob Mulhern (Hull KR), Jamie Peacock (retired), Kevin Sinfield (rugby union), Andrew Yates (Wakefield)
It's a transition period for Leeds at the moment. Many of their fans are wondering if this period of dominance will have a comma or a full stop. Leeds have another massive set of forwards - including Adam Cuthbertson, Brad Singleton, Keith Galloway, Mitch Garbutt and Mitch Achurch, all big men well over 6ft. They will need to link that forward play and that territory to their F1 cars out on the flanks. The man to make sure that all happens is Danny McGuire who will play a major role in the success of Leeds this season.
Key man: Robert Lui
Young gun: Ryan Lannon
Ins: Mark Flanagan (St Helens), Joshua Jones (St Helens), Philip Joseph (Widnes), Craig Kopczak (Huddersfield), Robert Lui (North Queensland Cowboys), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Penrith Panthers), Gareth O'Brien (Warrington), Matthew Sarsfield( Leigh Centurions), Daniel Vidot (Brisbane Broncos)
Outs: Rangi Chase (Leigh Centurions), Theo Fages (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (retired), Harrison Hansen (Leigh Centurions), Gareth Hock (released), Ben Jones-Bishop (Wakefield), Kevin Locke (released), Reni Maitua (Leigh Centurions), Adrian Morley (retired), Cory Paterson (Leigh Centurions), Lama Tasi (St Helens), Scott Taylor (Hull FC), Iain Thornley (Hull KR), Jason Walton (Wakefield)
One of the players who will have a massive impact for them this season is Robert Lui. He is very different to the player he has come in to replace - Rangi Chase. Lui makes things happen for those around him and I think he will really suit the way Salford coach Ian Watson - a former half-back himself - wants to play. There seems to be a different outlook this year and I think under Watson and Tim Sheens, they will have a different focus.
Salford need to make the AJ Bell Stadium a fortress, especially against big teams. I felt last season they were not as resilient as they could have been. They need to build some steel into the way they play to make this a season of progress for them.
Key man: Alex Walmsley
Young gun: Joe Greenwood
Ins: Theo Fages (Salford), Shannon McDonnell (Wests Tigers), Jack Owens (Widnes Vikings), Dominique Peyroux (New Zealand Warriors), Lama Tasi (Salford)
Outs: Mark Flanagan (Salford), Lance Hohaia (retired), Joshua Jones (Salford), Mose Masoe (St George Illawarra Dragons), Adam Quinlan (St George Illawarra Dragons), Paul Wellens (retired)
I think it will be a very good year for Saints this season. I think Keiron Cunningham has them playing in that old traditional St Helens style - everybody moving and going and you are never quite sure who will get the ball.
Saints' strength is definitely their attack but they can be guilty of not being as clinical on defence as they are on attack. I'm not saying they cannot defend because they can, I'm just saying if they defend like they attack they can be unstoppable. If they can keep key players healthy then I can see them finishing top of the regular season.
Key man: Liam Finn
Young gun: Tom Johnson
Ins: Tinirau Arona (Cronulla Sharks), Anthony England (Warrington), Liam Finn (Castleford), Ashley Gibson (Castleford), Stuart Howarth (Hull FC), Ben Jones-Bishop (Salford), Sean Morris (London Broncos), Jordan Tansey (Castleford), Anthony Tupou (Cronulla Sharks)
Outs: Dean Collis (released), Ali Lauitiiti (New Zealand Warriors), Paul McShane (Castleford), Lopini Paea, Matthew Ryan, Daniel Smith (Huddersfield), Danny Washbrook (Hull FC)
Only three things in life are certain: death, taxes and Wakefield start the season with everything stacked against them. They have a small squad and all the critics saying it will be a tough year for them again. It is hard to find an argument against those early predictions but I am going to try. In Brian Smith they have a quality coach who will get the best out of his players. Danny Kirmond was injury-ravaged last season, but if they can get him out onto the pitch then he will lead from the front. Liam Finn will be crucial to their success this year and is one of those players who can control the game at his want or will - he is not blessed with pace but has speed of thought. Home form will be very important for Wakefield.
Key man: Daryl Clark
Young gun: Jack Johnson
Ins: Jordan Cox (Hull KR), Mitchell Dodds (Brisbane Broncos), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Jack Hughes (Wigan), Benjamin Jullien (North Wales Crusaders), Tom Lineham (Hull FC), Joe Westerman (Hull FC)
Outs: Chris Bridge (Widnes), Anthony England (Wakefield), Joel Monaghan (Castleford), Richard Myler (Catalans), Gareth O'Brien (Salford)
The Wolves, at times, were miles off last year by their standards and start this season under a lot of pressure. They set high standards and because they under performed last year. This pre-season would have seen an honest forum to address the issues. Tony Smith has said they have had an excellent pre-season and new recruit Kurt Gidley has brought a breath of fresh air to the team. If Gidley and the senior pros like Chris Hill, Ashton Sims and Daryl Clark can keep the momentum going then it should be a good season for them. Last year many of us believed it would be Warrington's year - I can't predict where they'll end up in 2016 but I know they'll be better than last year.
Key man: Kevin Brown
Young gun: Matt Whitley
Ins: Chris Bridge (Warrington), Sam Brooks (Whitehaven ), Chris Houston (Newcastle Knights), Setaimata Sa (Hull FC), Corey Thompson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Outs: Danny Galea (retired), Willie Isa (Wigan), Philip Joseph (Salford), Ben Kavanagh (Bradford), Jack Owens (St Helens)
Widnes have a very conservative and pragmatic approach, but they are probably not looking at top spot in Super League. They were in the Qualifiers last year by the narrowest of margins and will be focussing on improvement in 2016 in the Super 8's. They have a good squad and I think they have got what it takes. Denis Betts knows what the club expects and what the players need. Kevin Brown said that their biggest weapon was the ipitch and I would agree. I'm not certain players are up for playing on it and often coaches rest or rotate players, so Widnes would be wise to take advantage of that. They will need to win the games they're supposed to win and do well in the ones against teams perceived to be better than them.
Key man: Sam Tomkins
Young guns: Jake Shorrocks and Jack Higginson
Ins: Willie Isa (Widnes), Sam Tomkins (New Zealand Warriors)
Outs: Matt Bowen (retired), Joe Burgess (Sydney Roosters), James Greenwood (Hull KR), Jack Hughes (Warrington), Iain Thornley (Hull KR)
I think Wigan are the team that everyone is looking at as the team to beat. They have brought the messiah back in Sam Tomkins and they have a very well-balanced squad. They were hurting after the Grand Final. Wigan have such a strong production line and every year they unearth some real gems. I think this year will be no different.
Shaun Wane was very disappointed with last year and the Grand Final so the off-season was a chance to correct those tiny margins. Wigan are always tough, skilful and clinical but -with last year as motivation - watch out all challengers.
