As 2024 draws to a close, we challenged the Sky Sports Rugby League pundits to bring us their highlights, their biggest shockers and a look forward to the new Super League season…
Brian Carney rewind to 2024…
Favorite moment from the 2024 season?
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Hull KR sings 'A Little Respect' ahead of their Premier League semi-final match against Warrington Wolves
'Respect' is sung by a huge Hull KR crowd before kick-off in their semi-final against Warrington. The atmosphere was filled with a range of emotions.
The Robins were a revelation this year as they reached the grand final before being handed a harsh reminder of what sustained excellence looks like.
The shock of the 2024 season?
The capital club achieved what I undoubtedly consider to be the shock of the season. The Catalans' season has been, so to speak, 50/50 at best in 2024, but there can't have been many who predicted their demise in Round 20 away to the London Broncos. A proud day for David and the Hughes family.
What are we most looking forward to in 2025?
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Wigan Warriors' Bevan French scored the only try in the 2024 grand final against Hull KR, which was very similar to Rob Burrow's grand final try for Leeds Rhinos against St Helens in 2011.
Watch Bevan French. Once upon a time this could have been a reference to one of Wire's pilots, one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. He is now the greatest performer in the Premier League. The Frenchman may be the most exciting rugby player in either code in the world at the moment.
Rewind to 2024 by John Wilkin…
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Check out Hull KR's five best attempts in the 2024 season, which saw them reach the Grand Final for the first time
Favorite moment from the 2024 season?
Brian Carney throws to Rod Stewart for Rod Studd. We couldn't stop laughing. I'm already excited that Rod Stewart might turn to sports broadcasting late in his career. But no, it was a small but great mistake.
The shock of the 2024 season?
Perhaps Hull FC, knowing that without further investment, the smart move was to just give up on 2024. They gave up on players and costs, and Adam Pearson went into hiding and waited for help in the form of Myler family connections.
I think without the resources, Pearson has to be respected, he did the right thing by not getting into financial trouble.
He could have been under the torch of Hull FC fans. The shock in 2024 was the realization that winning games didn't matter anymore. It's important but not as much as it used to be.
What are we most looking forward to in 2025?
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George Williams sent Warrington Wolves into the Premier League semi-finals with a stunning goal against St Helens.
The growth of Warrington under Sam Burgess, the development of St Helens that you feel has to come, the return of a shiny new Wakefield Trinity, the Robins rocking their name on the cup, and someone other than Wigan lifting the trophy.
Liam Farrell will be out of action for three months due to a recurring shoulder injury due to the movement of lifting the cup…
Barry McDermott returns to 2024…
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A special screening of Nessun Dorma helps pay tribute to former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow
Favorite moment from the 2024 season?
The Rob Burrow game was bittersweet for me, but the Rob Burrow game was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man and all his rugby league family, MND and of course his immediate family who are great role models for us.
Even though we all knew that day would come, when it happened it was very sad but encouraging at the same time. The broadcast was another example of what Sky and sport can achieve when they have a common goal and collaboration happens.
My friend would have been happy with the previous game, the team's performance and the accolades at the end when we said our goodbyes.
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His colleague and close friend Kevin Sinfield sends a special message to Leeds fans gathered to pay tribute to Rob Burrow
The shock of the 2024 season?
Hull FC and how disappointing they were from start to finish. They actually got worse!
What are we most looking forward to in 2025?
I'm a big fan of the Captain's Challenge. It will bring an extra element to the game and give us all a lot to discuss and debate – when to use it, who to use it for and who not should be just as entertaining as anything else.
Rugby league has always been revolutionary in its approach, so we'll see how it goes. Who knows, we may see other sports in this country adopting it.
Rewind Jimmy Jones-Buchanan to 2024…
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Rob Burrow's father, Geoff Burrow, has presented Wigan Warriors' Bevan French with the newly named Rob Burrow Award after the Australian was named man of the match in their grand final win over Hull KR.
Favorite moment from the 2024 season?
The 'moment' would be Bevan French's effort against Lee in the 59th minute of the semi-final.
like Someone who has played the game for 20 years, and I never tire of seeing unique moments of genius, prophetic vision, and athletic mastery.
The shock of the 2024 season?
The discovery that 60 per cent of Hull KR fans walked to the stadium highlights the deep-rooted community spirit surrounding the game. Craven Park stands out as the one place where Craven Street could truly flourish, and where fans could create such energetic 80s folk shows from groups like Erasure. Absolutely wonderful.
What are we most looking forward to in 2025?
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Hull KR winger Ryan Hall discusses his former team-mate Danny McGuire recently surpassed the Premier League try record
Assessing whether Ryan Hall, the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer, coupled with Maika Sifu's NRL-best strike rate, can help lift Leeds Rhinos back from the abyss.
Courtney Winfield-Hill set to return to 2024…
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John Wilkin was full of praise for Ryan Hall after Hull winger KR broke the Premier League try record in the win over Huddersfield.
Favorite moment from the 2024 season?
In the Premier League, it should be Ryan Hall's attempt to break records at home and in the women's competition is Georgie Hetherington being named 'Woman of Steel'.
The shock of the 2024 season?
In the men's competition it will be like that Salford Red Devils' performance led to hype surrounding the club at the start of the season with players departing.
In women I loved Barrow's results in their first year in the Premier League.
What are we most looking forward to in 2025?
An England v Australia Ashes match at home would be great, as would the arrival of Jarryd Wairia-Hargreaves at Hull KR.
The women's competition will then see England and Australia face off in Las Vegas and the women's Wigan Warriors match, following their impressive rise in 2024.
Premier League 2025 – key dates and what to look out for
March 1: Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas
April 17-19: Round 8 – Contenders Round
May 3-4: Magic Tour (St James' Park, Newcastle)
July 24: August 31 – Round 20 – Round split over two weekends
September 4-7: Round 25 – The Contenders Round match dates have been reversed
September 18-21: Round 27 – Final round of the regular season (dates and times TBD)
September 26-27: Playoffs
October 3-4: Semi-final
Saturday 11 October: Grand Final (Old Trafford)
Sky Sports It will once again show every Premier League match live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining four matches shown each week on Sky Sports+
