Makinson shines but Magic Weekend future is in balance

Winger revives St Helens’ Super League hopes in what may be fi nal edition of format

- Aaron Bower 

The curtain has fallen on the Magic Weekend, potentially for the fi nal time. IMG will decide in the coming weeks whether an event that has been a staple on the Super League calendar for more than 15 years fi ts into the American media brand’s plan to redevelop rugby league and revitalise its long-term prospects.

There have been suggestions that while IMG admires the concept of all 12 teams playing in the same stadium on the same weekend, which remains popular among players and spectators, there could be an opportunity to freshen things up . But whatever happens with the competition’s annual trip to Newcastle, this year’s edition will have had a signifi cant impact in shaping the end-of-season fortunes of almost every team in 2023.

On Saturday the big winners were Catalans, who moved top of the table with victory against Wigan, and Castle ford, who eased their own rele gation fears with a pulsating West Yorkshire derby victory against Leeds Rhinos.

Yesterday was arguably even more season-defi ning, though . This competitive and unpredictable season has been epitomised by the fact the team who have won the past four titles sat outside the playoff places heading into Magic Weekend. This could be the weekend where St Helens’s quest for an unprecedented fi fth successive Super League title came to life, though.