Player of the season
Ben Barba may have won the Man of Steel award, but it is hard to imagine Wigan going all the way to Old Trafford and lifting the Super League trophy had it not been for John Bateman. The 25-year-old is the most talented British forward in years, and those talents have been recognised by the NRL. Bateman will begin a deal with Australian side Canberra next year: expect him to be outstanding.
Young player of the season
It was not to be for Castleford again in 2018, but the emergence of teenage stand-off Jake Trueman was a real positive for the Tigers. The Castleford coach, Daryl Powell, believes Trueman is one of the most prodigious British pivots of his generation, and the early signs suggest the 19-year-old is well on the way to fulfilling that potential.
Unsung heroes of the season
London’s promotion hopes were written off before a ball had even been kicked this season. The departure of their coach, Andrew Henderson, to Warrington felt like a significant obstacle to overcome: but Henderson’s assistant, Danny Ward, took the reins and not only guided the Broncos to a top-four finish in the Championship, but to promotion via the Million Pound Game. How great it will be to see London back in Super League next season.
Signing of the season
Catalans were bottom of Super League and in grave danger of relegation when Josh Drinkwater arrived at the club in April. Not only did he guide them away from trouble and to safety with consummate ease, but he helped the Dragons create history under the Wembley arches four months after his arrival, when Les Dracs defeated Warrington to win the Challenge Cup for the first time.
Quote of the season
“I think everyone in the game will see a sharper focus on Super League and I think from tomorrow, we’ll now see a leaner and more effective governing body,” was how Robert Elstone, the Super League chief executive, described the long-awaited conclusion of talks on the league structure for 2019. With the game reverting to a more simplistic format – the Super 8s is no more – and Super League taking control of its own affairs, there appears to be a less chaotic future at boardroom level ahead.
Lower-league story of the season
The steady success of York City Knights had gone under the radar in recent years, but their bumper crowd against Catalans in the Challenge Cup in April deservedly gave them a share of the spotlight. The League 1 side followed that up by securing automatic promotion ahead of the former Super League champions Bradford, too. Coached by the highly regarded James Ford, York are one of the game’s up-and-coming teams: in one of the more beautiful locations, too.
Surprise of the season
It’s quite difficult to keep a secret closely guarded in rugby league but Wigan’s announcement in May that their coach, Shaun Wane, would end a 30-year association with the club and walk away from the Warriors caught everyone off-guard. There was to be a happy ending for Wane, a dyed-in-the-wool Wiganer, too: as he led his hometown club to Super League glory before beginning a new role in Scottish rugby union. He will be back in league before too long though, you suspect.
Player who will be most missed by his club in 2019
There is very much a changing of the guard at Wigan, with Shaun Wane’s aforementioned departure as well as several first-team players following him out of the door. The one the Warriors will find toughest to replace? John Bateman. As mentioned earlier, the England international was pivotal in Wigan’s success this season and the pressure will be firmly on whoever is tasked with replacing the ultra-consistent, tough-tackling Bateman in 2019.
Hopes for 2019
More international rugby league. The recent autumn internationals showed there is not only an appetite for more England games, but the national team has the profile and capability to reach areas domestic rugby league perhaps cannot. Plans are afoot for both England and Great Britain in the coming years, which is encouraging, but it is important to ensure regular mid-season international breaks, too.
Early contender for Man of Steel in 2019
Warrington have recruited well for 2019, with their headline signing the former Canberra half-back Blake Austin. The Australian arrives in Super League at the peak of his powers and will be one of the game’s great stars next year. Leeds have also recruited aggressively, and Tongan international Tui Lolohea is another to keep a close eye on as the Rhinos begin life under their new coach, David Furner.
Team of the year
B Barba; T Makinson, M Percival, B Goodwin, T Johnstone; J Trueman, D Richardson; L Thompson, J Roby, C Hill, J Bateman, D Peyroux, A Milner.
Honourable mentions
Bradford Bulls’ return to the Championship at the first attempt suggests brighter times lie ahead for the four-times Super League champions. Wakefield’s second consecutive top-five finish despite being one of the competition’s lowest spenders – Chris Chester is arguably the best coach in the country. Ben Barba’s brief cameo in Super League before returning to Australia is also deserving of a mention: for large periods of this season, he was a joy to watch. He will be missed next season.
