5 Bold Predictions for the 2023 Super League Season

You can’t beat a good prediction. It’s the one thing I look forward to before any season. Early favourites for Man of Steel, playoffs, grand final and others making more history by potentially going 5-peat.

We can all agree that this season promises to be one of the most competitive and exciting to date. If anything, it could be the most unpredictable, which makes this even more fun and leaves folk like me, more chances of looking the fool come the end of the season.

But it’s all apart if the fun right? So on that note, here’s five bold, brave predictions for the 2023 Super League season.

St Helens will NOT become five-peat Champions

They have easily been the best rugby league side in the UK for four years now. They’ve brushed aside the competition, beating four different sides in the last four grand finals. In both attack and more impressively, defence, they’ve looked unbeatable in those big games. They have however lost their coach in Kristian Woolf, and replaced him with club legend, Paul Wellens. I think they’ll have a slow start to the campaign, while others hit the ground running. It’s a long season, but one where I think it ends for Saints in the playoffs, and not at Old Trafford.  

Catalan Dragons to fall out of the top 6

Catalans have made the playoffs for the last three seasons now, with 2021 being their best campaign, finishing as league leaders. However, they did drop in quality in 2022, especially towards the end of the season, where they only won four of their final ten games of the season. The latter being a 20-10 defeat, at home to Leeds in the play offs. Since that, they have lost players and not really fully recruited. As a side who are now going through a bit of a transition, I expect part of that will have them sacrifice their play off spot.

George Williams will win Man of Steel

I must admit, even I had to write this one out twice to make sure I meant it. Many will laugh this one off and others will see the sense. Warrington and Williams where diabolical in 2022, there’s no question about it. However, Williams still finished the season with 29 try contributions, with 8 tries and 21 try assists. There were only a handful of players who had more in season. Warrington will be better and will be further up the table this year, and that only happens with Williams on top form. He’ll hit double figures in tries and set up even more try assists than he did in 2022.

Leigh Leopards will comfortably stay up

I don’t think predicting Leigh to stay up is that bold. That’s why I decided to add the word comfortably to the equation. I’m excited to see the Leopards in 2023, they bring a sense of excitement to the league after seeing how impressive their Championship campaign was. They scored for fun and didn’t really concede much. Super League won’t be as easy if course, but I do think they’ll ruffle some feathers, make a few shocks during the season and dare I say, not be far off the playoffs come the final round.

Mark Applegarth won’t see out the season

I must admit, I don’t know too much about Mark Applegarth and his coaching abilities. That’s sometimes a great thing, as all they can do as a relatively unknown manager is impress. I’m not saying I expect him to fail and fall flat of his backside, but as Trinity will struggle as a whole and be the bottom side in the league, the coach is often the first person to take the fall. With his lack of experience at this level, it may be all too much for this young manager and the Wakey board to handle, which will cause a change of guard.

That’s my five bold and brave predictions for the upcoming Super League season. I’d be interested to hear what everyone else thinks could shock the system in 2023. Whether it be winners, losers, falls from grace or surprise packages. Let us know.