Fred Done, co-founder of Birchwood based Betfred, looks ahead to the 2019 Super League season in this latest Warrington Guardian column

WARRINGTON Wolves are 4/1 at Betfred to go one better and win the Grand Final in the new year.

Despite the scoreline, the astute Steve Price will know his Wire were well beaten in the October spectacle at Old Trafford.

Blake Austin is his marquee signing – and fans have already been queueing up to back him to be the 2019 Man of Steel.

The Portuguese international will be looking for a late birthday present when Wolves open their new season at home to Leeds on Saturday, February 2.

Playmaker Austin – he’s 28 on February 1 – is now a 10/1 shot for the top individual honour – the same odds with us as Castleford Tigers duo Paul McShane and Luke Gale.

Mr Consistency James Roby, Saints’ popular hooker, who was so unlucky to miss out to his superstar teammate Ben Barba for the honour this year, is 12/1 to win it in 2019.

Next up in the Betfred betting stakes is Wire talisman Stefan Ratchford – man of the match in the final – at 16/1 while controversial Zak Hardaker is a 20/1 shot.

I do hope Hardaker can beat his demons and rekindle his exceptional career at Wigan Warriors.

He’s a previous winner of the Man of Steel – and 20/1 at Betfred to win the vote among his peers and win it again.

The new season action gets under way with a cracker: Saints v Wigan on Thursday, January 31.

Saints have been given a major boost by the news that Alex Walmsley has been cleared to return to the fray nine months after breaking his neck.

The 28-year-old England prop may make his long-awaited comeback in Jonny Lomax’s Testimonial match against Hull FC as early as January 19 which would set him up nicely for the Wigan showdown.

Saints, who looked for most of last season as if they would win the lot, are 7/2 to win the 2019 Grand Final, with Wigan and Warrington both 4/1 and Castleford 5/1.

Leeds Rhinos could well be the dark horses next season following the appointment of Aussie Dave Furner as head coach and acquisition of NRL stars Trent Merrin, Konrad Hurrell and Tuimoala Lolohea.

Betfred have them 10/1 to be champions with Hull FC 12/1, Catalans Dragons 16/1, Huddersfield Giants 22/1, Wakefield Trinity 28/1, Hull KR 66/1 and Salford Red Devils 100/1, with new boys London Broncos the outsiders at 250/1.

Thinking this will be the year Warrington will land the treble? Well for you super confident Wire supporters we’re 33/1!