Every year the same question is asked: is there a team capable of breaking the monopoly of the Super League trophy?
It is well documented that just four clubs have lifted the coveted trophy, with St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors the only Grand Final winners since Bradford Bulls’ last success in 2005.
There have been pretenders to the throne, most notably Warrington Wolves after four Old Trafford defeats between 2012 and 2018.
Hull FC, Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils have all experienced Grand Final heartache, while Huddersfield Giants claimed the League Leaders’ Shield in 2013 before falling short in the play-offs.
Regardless of what goes before, the season ends with either Saints, Leeds or Wigan collecting the trophy.
At a time when the general consensus is that Super League is at its lowest ebb, a new winner could be just the tonic.
Catalans Dragons are in the box seat at the halfway mark after displaying the kind of consistency rarely seen from the French side on their way to 10 wins from 11 games.
The Dragons have had false dawns in the past – falling at the final hurdle in the race to Old Trafford on three occasions – but have never before finished in the top two.
Securing a home semi-final could make all the difference as they look to take that next step.
St Helens have had a frustrating time of it after playing just once in a month, although they did benefit from a walkover win against Castleford to keep the pressure on Catalans at the top.
Warrington look in good shape – as they so often do – but the real battle for Steve Price’s team will come at the business end of the season.
FC and Hull KR sit either side of a Wigan team on the slide, with another defeat at St Helens on Sunday enough to drop the Warriors to sixth.
That would mean four potential new winners in the top five by the end of the week.
More than ever this year, it will be the survival of the fittest as teams gear up for a heavily congested schedule.
Adrian Lam’s Wigan are seeing how damaging an injury crisis can be, while Leeds have been decimated at various stages this year.
The Rhinos appear to be through the worst of their selection issues now and will feel confident of securing a top-six spot with some key troops back on board.
Hull KR, meanwhile, have shown what is possible with better luck on the injury front.
This year may come too soon for Tony Smith’s team to reach Old Trafford but they will be determined to last the pace in the race for the top six.
Catalans are the team to catch after 12 rounds, with Steve McNamara’s side joint second favourites to win the Grand Final.
Despite their dismal form and mounting injury issues, Wigan are also priced at 7/2 with Betfred.
The bookmakers expect a resurgence from Wigan because it invariably happens.
It is up to Catalans and the other aspiring clubs outside the top three to keep their heads and finally spark a changing of the guards.
