Dave Craven: Fiercely competitive league offers us intrigue and excitement

Firstly, there has never been four clubs sharing pole position at the campaign’s midpoint mark as we find ahead of this weekend’s round 14.

If the league was in its old first-past-the-post format, the excitement would almost be unbearable given the potential that lies ahead for the forthcoming months.

As it is, the top seven could all finish level on points and see the eighth-placed side still go on, win the Grand Final and be crowned champions. The beauty of the play-off system. Keep fighting Wakefield and Hull KR.

That aside, it is increasingly difficult to decipher who will emerge from the gathering bunch to contest that end-of-season finale.

Let us start with the current leaders Warrington who have shown so far that this may be the year they finally end their Super League duck.

A couple of Challenge Cup final wins has warmed them up and now Tony Smith’s men do look stronger than ever with the addition of Brett Hodgson and Joel Monaghan proving typically astute signings from the cerebral Australian. With them on board, it is hard to imagine Warrington will choke like they did in the first round of play-offs against Huddersfield last season.

Talking of the Giants, they too are more rounded and experienced, their recent dip in form leaving them second, but Nathan Brown has admitted recent travails could be down to his constant team tinkering.

He insists he will not mess anymore with numerous permutations and that – along with an imminent decision on his long-term future – will see them hopefully go one step further than last year’s semi-final.

It would be wonderfully refreshing to see them and Warrington – two clubs yet to feature in a Grand Final – contest the October showpiece. But wait... who are currently level with the ambitious duo?

Yes, St Helens, that annoying presence which refuses to yield, and fourth-placed Wigan, the reigning champions who realise, despite some inconsistencies, if they win their game in hand they can return to the summit in their own right.

Saints were supposed to be undergoing a period of transition given Keiron Cunningham’s retirement, the on-going injury problems of Leon Pryce and Kyle Eastmond’s move to Bath RU, yet it appears they have ominously achieved that in a matter of weeks rather than years.

With exciting tyros like Lee Gaskell and Jonny Lomax tearing opponents apart, Royce Simmons, in his first season in charge, could easily extend their Grand Final run to a staggering six consecutive appearances.

What of the rest? Castleford, those daring early season wonders who wowed us all so much, have fallen away from the pack due to their Easter torment.

But it is inconceivable to think, with so much talent at Wheldon Road, that they will not return to contend. They may not have the experience of others but they have proved to themselves they have the class to perform and it would be a travesty if they are not well-positioned at the end.

Traditional contenders Leeds know what to do come this time of year and, with Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire refreshed after their lay-offs, they will offer their customary threat as the business end approaches.

Catalan – a form team – will look to Steve Menzies to guide them in but may suffer from Scott Dureau’s absence while Hull FC have the potential to push further. Bradford might have too many sidelined to do that and Hull KR have too many problems full stop. But really, who knows?