2014 Preview - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Another club with serious financial problems, 2013 ended with a player sale just to pay the wages and ducking out of a deal with Chris Tuson as the board released an honest statement about the club's situation.

Wakefield haven't shown much development, much like near neighbours Castleford. Multiple 2013 player of the season award winner Paul Aiton has gone to Leeds. Key try scoring threat Ben Cockayne, the club's top try scorer in 2012, has gone back to Hull KR. Hooker Aiton not only cleaned up at the Wildcats awards night, but was also top tackler for them in 2013. Playmaker Tim Smith and key props Kyle Amor and Justin Poore have also gone. Smith had more try assists than any other Wildcat and was the man to take charge in attacking situations, putting in over half of their attacking kicks when he played. Amor and Poore led their prop ranks in carries and metres. A lot of production will need replacing.

Some replacements have been signed and Paul McShane could do a good job. The others are largely backups from NRL clubs so they could go either way. Between them, Pita Godinet, Scott Anderson and Matt Ryan made only 30 first grade appearances in 2013 for their NRL clubs. On a brighter note though, Godinet played in all four of Samoa's 2013 World Cup games, scoring twice and laying on a further three tries for his teammates.

The best news of the off season was keeping hold of captain Danny Kirmond. Snapchat incident aside, he leads by example in both sides of the game. A Dream Team selection in 2013, only Brett Ferres scored more than Kirmond's 13 tries for a forward and to complement that he was fourth in the league for marker tackles, leading his club in that category. He is likely to be an important player again in 2014.

The squad is thin on quality and depth. Wakefield have shown plenty of grit and determination in recent seasons and an ability to string results together, which are qualities they will need in abundance, along with luck, if they can threaten the top eight. 

League Leaders Odds: 500/1
Grand Final Odds: 250/1
Cup Odds: 80/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 13th
Key man - Paul McShane
One to watch - Reece Lynn

Tom's predictions:
League place - 12th
Key man - Danny Kirmond
One to watch - Pita Godinet