How the other Super League sides fared

St Helens:

What went right?

Saints out-stripped expectations to finish 2nd before the Super 8s phase. Won two of three derbies, and Keiron Cunningham won admirers for blooding homegrown players. Pushed Leeds all the way in the semi-final.

What went wrong?

The World Club Challenge. Injuries, particularly at full-back where they lost three No.1s – including retiring Paul Wellens. Came under fire when they lost four games in a row, including a Challenge Cup semi-final.

Huddersfield:

What went right?

Quite a lot. Showed impressive consistency throughout the season to finish third in the ladder. Winger Jermaine McGillvary topped the try-scoring charts with 27, and both he and Danny Brough made the Dream Team.

What went wrong?

Once again, the Giants failed to deliver on the big stage. Their loss to Wigan last Thursday was their 12th defeat in 15 play-offs matches, while they were also knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Leeds.

Castleford:

What went right?

Daryl Powell overcame a heavy turnover to keep Cas’ on course, and an impressive win at Leeds last month saw them go close to making the top-four. Half Luke Gale was one of two in the Dream Team.

What went wrong?

Not a great deal. The Justin Carney saga didn’t effect their form, and though a defeat by St helens ended their play-offs hopes, a fifth-placed finish was probably still a case of the Tigers punching above their weight.

Warrington:

What went right?

When they were on, they were good. They registered a league ‘double’ over Leeds, beat Wigan (home) and St Helens (away), Wiganer Chris Hill again impressed and Ben Currie showed his promise.

What went wrong?

Consistency. Man of Steel Daryl Clark took time to settle, the halfbacks were unsettled, and a string of poor results – in games they were expected to win – included a Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Hull KR.

Catalans:

What went right?

Their home form. Only two sides – Leeds and Huddersfield – won in France. They showed how good they can be when they beat Wigan 58-16 in May. Back-rower Zeb Taia won a Dream Team selection for a strong season.

What went wrong?

Their away form. Their inability to win in England, with the star-studded squad they boast, is alarming, with just two wins – at Wakefield and Hull FC – from 15 matches. Star signing Todd Carney featured just a dozen times.

Hull FC:

What went right?

The nearly-men pushed many bigger clubs close, and won most of the games they were expected to, and made the top-tier when the Super 8s broke. Mark Minichiello impressed in the back-row.

What went wrong?

Yet again, FC failed to fulfil their pre-season promises. The halfbacks took time to settle, Gareth Ellis was injured, and attention turned to 2016 long before the season finished.

Hull KR:

What went right?

Recruits Josh Mantellato and Albert Kelly impressed. They beat Wigan, Catalans and Warrington to reach their first Challenge Cup Final in a generation...

What went wrong?

...where they lost 50-0 to Leeds at Wembley. They also fell into the Qualifiers phase of the Super 8s, though they quickly secured their place in next year’s Super League.

Widnes:

What went right?

Strong home form saw them pick up points against Wigan, Warrington, Castleford and Leeds on their artificial pitch. Kevin Brown again impressed.

What went wrong?

Having reached the play-offs in 2014, they failed to make the top-eight for when the season broke for the Super 8s.

Salford:

What went right?

Not much. They beat Wigan on Easter Monday, brought in Tim Sheens and secured their Super League status. Adrian Morley’s farewell was fittingly marked.

What went wrong?

Another coach left, as well as a string of their best players - some with ongoing financial squabbles. Yet again, they fell well short of their promises of progress.

Wakefield:

What went right?

They avoided dropping into the Championship, courtesy of Sunday’s win against Bradford in the Million Pound Game. Brian Smith brought a degree of stability.

What went wrong?

Quite a lot. Lurched from one loss to another early on, coach James Webster departed, Todd Carney and Kevin Locke departed under a cloud.