Keiron Cunningham try gives Saints a fitting goodbye

The jury is still out on the decision to expand the Engage Super League play-offs from six teams to eight and to incorporate an element of choice with a nod to reality TV in the controversial Club Call. But at least after last year's damp squib, when a series of mostly forgettable games reached an appropriate anti-climax in arguably the dullest Grand Final so far, all the ingredients are in place for something much better this time. Wigan are in pole position after finishing top for the first time in a decade but Warrington and St Helens are snapping at their heels, with the Wolves quietly confident of completing a double after their crushing Wembley victory over Leeds in the Challenge Cup final last Saturday and Saints desperate to make amends for the hat-trick of Old Trafford defeats they have suffered against Leeds in the past three Grand Finals, if only to mark Keiron Cunningham's retirement in fitting style. But Jamie Peacock, the England captain who will be a frustrated spectator over the next month after suffering serious knee-ligament damage that will require reconstructive surgery on Thursday, believes that for the first time there is a real chance that a team from outside the top three could do some serious damage – and not only the Rhinos. "People have said this for the past three years but, if we're honest, it's been bullshit, hasn't it? It's always been heading for a Saints-Leeds Grand Final," Peacock says. "But I really do think this year there are six or even seven genuine contenders. Obviously I still think Leeds can have a say because the disappointment from losing at Wembley is going to spur the boys on and the whole club takes defending the Super League trophy very seriously. But we're not the only ones from outside the top three who are capable of going all the way." Huddersfield have been the form team of the closing weeks of the season and their Australian full-back Brett Hodgson – the 2009 Man of Steel – has a Cunningham-esque incentive to make amends for the Giants' tame play-off performances last autumn before he joins Warrington next year. Hull KR, who were the other big play-off disappointments 12 months ago after finishing with Huddersfield in the top four, have also been able to hold more back for the really big matches this season and their cross-city rivals at the KC Stadium also have the experienced personnel to offer a threat, even if their form against the top three has been unconvincing at best. However, the smart money would still be on the first Grand Final with no Yorkshire involvement since 2000. Saints and Warrington have long been guaranteed to finish second and third and provide at least one blockbuster in the first round of the play-offs next weekend, ensuring the latest instalment of a local rivalry that has been ridiculously one-sided in the Super League era. How the Wolves would enjoy ending their miserable derby run in the clubs' first play-off meeting. But that could carry the dubious reward of putting them in the hot seat for Club Call, whereby the highest-placed winners from the first round of play-off matches get to choose the team they need to beat to reach Old Trafford. The sting was drawn from the decision forced on Leeds last season by the Catalans Dragons' surprise progress from eighth in the table to the third play-off weekend, courtesy of away wins against Wakefield and Huddersfield. The Rhinos were always going to choose them ahead of Wigan, given the amount of travelling the French club had already had to do, especially as it forced St Helens to come through an intense derby to reach the Grand Final. "I know it's good for the media but it's not much of an advantage for the players," Peacock says. "That first half we had against Catalans was one of the toughest I've ever played in and I'm sure that was partly because of the extra motivation they had from knowing we'd chosen them. I remember the look on the face of their chief executive at the press conference they had at Headingley when we announced our choice and he looked offended. So imagine how it went down with their big forwards. I'm glad Leeds won't have to make that choice this year." Instead it could be Wigan who are forced to choose between St Helens and Leeds, or Warrington between Wigan and Saints. Either way it is hard to see the play-offs falling flat for a second year running.