Leeds 2004 by plenty, don't think there waseven a debate myself, but know doubt now. This cas side will be remembered about as much as the Huddersfield side which topped the League, maybe slightly More as they did actually get to Old Trafford.

Zak hardaker?

I recon they will go down as one of the best teams to not win it, along with us in 05 and Saints in 08

Our 04 side beats Cas 17 side. Our 05 team was even better though. So near, yet so far. That Saints team of 08 was very special (except for the GF!)

Biff - the 2007 squad was definitely a transition from 2005. Outs - Bai, Calderwood, Dunemann, McKenna, Ward, Mathers, Walker, Millard, O'Neill. Ins - Donald, Peacock, Toopi, Leuluai, Webb.



That's a pretty major set of changes in anyone's book.

This is a comparison that as others have pointed out is difficult to make.

However I do believe 2017 top Superleague/NRL sides are substantially physically fitter and fundamentally physically stronger

than the players of 2004, this would I think even up a lot if not all of any perceived skills gaps.

Backs are now almost the size of forwards and forwards are as fit as backs.



This increase in physicality is I would suggest a major contributor to the perceived/possible "game quality" issues.

I think this is particularly apparent, positively in the physicality and quality of goal line defence and

very negatively in the excessive wrestle at the tackle.

It is also causing high rate of injuries to what are after all very fit people.

( I also believe you can see exactly the same "quality issues" due to the increase in physical size/fitness of players in rugby union.)

All things being said I have enjoyed this season as much as any in the last 13 years.

Its just a different game now!!!!!

P.S. leeds 2004 would win but that may just be rose tinted glasses!!

I'm really glad for you, but from my view the SL regular season was pretty bad and a real hard watch at times across the board (some cas games apart). Obviously the last couple of weeks were great and we are on a high still but it doesn't change all that went before it.

Agree with this and I think the game in general has to address the issues that flow from the 10 metre rule, increased physicality and fitness of all the professional game and the consequent and hugely damaging increase in the number and severity of injuries to key players pretty much across the board (imagine how frustrating it must be to have been a Wigan fan this season) and the ugly farce that the ruck and PTB have become. I suggest that nobody wants to watch the wrestling at the ruck

One thing that I think definitely needs looking at are the rugby balls themselves. More and more complaints that it's like a bar of soap and whilst you expect some knock ons in wet weather it's getting to ridiculous levels now.

I've not heard a good word said about it, it should be a priority to get a better ball for next season

We never used to drop this little babies when i was at School

Never understood why they got rid of Steeden tbh.

Wrt improving the game as a whole we need the ptb regulating better in its entirety not least the diving & lack of actually ptb.

Also ditch the "refs call" or as i call it blatant guessing just refer it as try yes or no.