Super League predictions revisited: Hull FC drop, Hull KR rise and Mikey Lewis call

Predicitons are the worst time of the year for every pundit, and at Rugby League Live it was no different, with Matt Shaw, Dave Craven, and Dan Tomlinson listing their picks for the 2024 Super League season on the House of League podcast.

Now it's time to look back on those listings, what we got right, and what we inevitably got wrong. Humble pie at the ready, particularly at Sam Burgess' Warrington Wolves and especially at Paul Rowley's Salford Red Devils. Sorry, lads.

But without further ado, here's what we said back in February on the show.

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London Broncos

Cravo: "I've got them as 12th. Unfortunately, they just haven't got that depth to compete."

Dan: "The card they've been dealt with is horrible. To effectively be relegated before you even start is crazy. They'll be 12th."

Matt: "I can't disagree. I've got them 12th. I think everyone has them as 12th."

2024 finish: 12th | Verdict: Spot on.

Hull FC

Dan: "They need another recruitment cycle before they get where they desire to be. I've got them as 8th."

Cravo: "It's a decade in transition now, isn't it? We have this every year with Hull. I love Tony Smith, but I've not got confidence in that squad. I've got them 9th."

Matt: "I'm the same. I've got them 9th. There's just too many holes in the squad."

2024 finish: 11th | Verdict: Nobody predicted Hull FC being as bad as they were.

Castleford Tigers

Cravo: "I don't think they're going to be much better at all. I've got them 11th."

Dan: "It's a massive rebuild, and they've got to take it step by step. I've got them 11th again."

Matt: "We're all on common ground here. I also have Castleford to finish 11th."

2024 finish: 10th | Verdict: Not far off.

Huddersfield Giants

Cravo: "I don't see them making that much improvement again. I still don't think Ian Watson knows what his best team is or what he'll do with Jake Connor. I've got them 8th."

Dan: "I've got them to finish 9th. They'll be in the bottom four again."

Matt: "Brutal. I've got them 5th. I just can't see how they are as bad again."

2024 finish: 9th | Oh, Matt...

Leeds Rhinos

Cravo: "If you're buying Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers, it shows how serious you are. I think they will be up there. I've got them at 5th."

Matt: "I've got them as 4th. There's something there culturally. It seems like a happier camp."

Dan: "I've got them 5th. The signings they've made, there's no way you sign Croft and Ackers and not improve."

2024 finish: 8th | Verdict: Look away, lads, look away.

Catalans Dragons

Matt: "My first hot take. I am tipping them not to make the play-offs. I think they finish 7th."

Cravo: "I think they're going to go well again. I've got them 3rd."

Dan: "I've tipped them to be 3rd. They've got an excellent coach in Steve McNamara; obviously I'm biased with him being from Hull, but I don't see them dropping off."

2024 finish: 7th | Verdict: Matt rises from the ashes

St Helens

Matt: "I think people are sleeping on St Helens. There's this theory that they're finished, they're spent, and they're at the end of a cycle. I've got them 2nd."

Cravo: "I'm the same, 2nd. Daz Clark, I've been a big fan of his since day one at Castleford. He's a brillaint hooker."

Dan: "They'll be fresh and ready to go again. They'll be a new hunger. 2nd."

2024 finish: 6th | Verdict: Oh dear.

Leigh Leopards

Cravo: "I think they will (back it up). The style of football is great. They'll get in there just. 6th."

Dan: "I've got them doing really well again. They tick plenty of boxes. They've got threats all over the park. I've got them 4th."

Matt: "This is my other hot take. I've got Leigh to finish 8th."

2024 finish: 5th | Verdict: Not bad.

Salford Red Devils

Matt: "I've got them 10th. This is a squad game."

Cravo: "It's heartbreaking to see what has happened to the side there. It's brutal, but that's sport. I've got them as 10th."

Dan: "As above, 10th. It's been a turbulent off-season, player departures, stadium issues. They've solved their short-term future, but there's questions about their long-term future."

2024 finish: 4th | Verdict: Runs for cover.

Warrington Wolves

Matt: "I've gone on the fence. I think they could be anything. I think they could be nothing. I've put them slap bang in the middle at 6th."

Cravo: "I've got them missing out at 7th. I think Sam Burgess will bring plenty to them, but I haven't seen enough in the recruitment to see them come back firing."

Dan: "I've got them 7th, but they could be anything."

2024 finish: 3rd | Verdict: Tough gig.

Hull KR

Matt: "I'm nervous, but I've got Hull KR at 3rd. They've signed well."

Cravo: "I think Willie Peters isn't afraid to make bald calls. He's ruthless, and he knows what he wants. I've got them 4th."

Dan: "I've got them 6th. They've done well. A spade is a spade, and you've got to credit them for what they've done in recent times.

2024 finish: 2nd | Verdict: Even better than expected.

Wigan Warriors

Cravo: "I've got them top. A bit predictable but with good reason. They've strengthened brilliantly."

Matt: "I agree. I just think they've got the best squad, and they're only going to get better as well."

Dan: "They've just a conveyor belt of youth. It's frightening. They're the team to beat."

2024 finish: 1st | Verdict: As expected.

N.B. Matt and Cravo also predicted Wigan to win the World Club Challenge. Dan did not.

Man of Steel picks: two each were made

Matt: "Jack Welsby. He has to win the Man of Steel at some point. Adam Clune is an outside bet."

Cravo: "Kruise Leeming. I think he's going to have a terrific season and get back to his best. Outside bet, Jake Connor, he's got to that age now where he really needs to deliver on his promise."

Dan: "Jack Welsby is one of the best players in the competition. I'll also go for Mikey Lewis. This might rattle a few cages, but he made his England debut against Tonga and did very well. He's a great young player."

Super League Table

Matt: London, Catalans, Wigan - 3/12

Dan: London, Huddersfield, Wigan - 3/12

Cravo: London, Wigan - 2/12

Overall Verdict: Must do better

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