RECORD crowds and another significant increase in playing standards have contributed to a Rugby League season to savour.

The final curtain has just come down on another action-packed campaign.

It's hats off to Salford who will be back in Super League next year. The Reds completed the grand slam in National League One and interesting times lie ahead for Shaun McRae's team.

Stability will be the key as they prepare for a challenging three-year stint in the revamped 14-team top flight.

The biggest plus has been the emergence of young talent namely Richard Myler, Stefan Ratchford and Luke Adamson - just three who have progressed from structures set up to nurture quality talent.

Salford have not had the easiest of rides this term but it's very much a case of mission accomplished.

Elsewhere, coach Paul Cullen was an early casualty as Warrington again flopped. He was replaced by Jimmy Lowes and despite a mid-season rally, a crushing play-off defeat highlighted the ongoing deficiencies in the club's dressing room culture. This must be addressed if Warrington are to get their act together.

Wigan say farewell to Trent Barrett and it's hard to imagine owner Ian Lenagan will be on the Aussie's Christmas card list.

Warriors made the play-offs thanks to the skill and steel of coach Brian Noble but a public mid-term blast of Barrett by Lenagan at a fans forum was not the wisest of moves.

Noble's men could, however, be a force again next term.

Plentiful

Saints' forward James Graham was named Man of Steel but men of steel were in plentiful supply week in, week out.

Departing coach Daniel Anderson failed to sign off for the Grand Final win but a nine-trophy haul in his three-and-a-half years stay guarantees his place in Saints' folklore.

Saints won the Challenge Cup but, as with last year, a mentality inside the club tends to view this as the pinnacle and come the Grand Final, the team's sharpness appeared somewhat blunted.

A number of Super League players will now head for Australia as the attention focuses on the World Cup.

Coaches also came and went in National League. Bobbie Goulding became frustrated at Rochdale but the Hornets regained their sting under Darren Shaw who had started the season at Leigh.

We also said farewell to the archaic Hilton Park ground at Leigh. Neil Kelly's boys will start the new season at the brand new Sports Village.

Leigh felt they deserved a franchise licence and so too did Widnes who could not believe their own top-flight omission at the expense of Celtic Crusaders.

Vikings' owner Steve O'Connor has vowed to tough it out and hopes for a better result in three years.

Oldham remain in National League One after losing the Grand Final to Doncaster. This proved to be Steve Deakin's last game in charge and the Roughyeds are still seeking a replacement. Deakin appeared crestfallen after the Doncaster defeat and did not have his contract renewed.

Swinton battled on gamely under the guidance of coach Paul Kidd but it was another up and down year for the once-mighty Lions.

The season also saw the passing of Swinton legend Alan Buckley.

The Lions will soldier on and Paul Kidd and his father John, the club's chairman, remain upbeat. Strong support for both the community and the RFL remains vital to the likes of Swinton and all their neighbours outside Super League.

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