IT was far from the perfect blueprint, but Leeds Rhinos’ experience in Super League XVI has thrown wide open the race for Super League XVII.

The 14 runners go under starters orders this weekend with the knowledge that being on top all term is no longer a pre-requisite for taking the major prize at the end of the season.

Brian McDermott’s men were pretty much write-offs in most people’s minds with half the season elapsed last term, but from a fifth-place finish the Rhinos charged to an unprecedented fifth Grand Final win as they defeated St Helens 32-16 on October 8, 2011.

Having broken the mould of teams in the top two generally bossing the play-offs, what Leeds have created is an atmosphere where nearly every side in the competition now feels that so long as a play-off spot can be claimed, then hitting the end of season showdown at full tilt can be a route to the major honour.

The lessons of last season are probably even more apparent to everyone involved at Huddersfield Giants, who watched in agony as their season unfolded as a mirror image to the Rhinos campaign.

A superb start suggested that coach Nathan Brown and his men were capable of going a step further and reaching the Grand Final.

Instead a run of injuries and faltering form going into the play-offs brought no reward for the club’s efforts.

Personnel changes, as always, pose questions – this is why as a Wakefield fan I will make no predictions about my lot, other than at least we should fulfil our fixtures this season.

But the Giants will be looking to a number of younger squad members to make an impact when called upon if the club are to be competing for honours this time out.

The other factor for Huddersfield is the fact that coach Brown now faces a deadline, having said he will be leaving the team in the care of former Great Britain powerhouse Paul Anderson at the end of the campaign.

The great thing about Nathan is that it is not too often you catch him without a smile on his face.

Everyone involved with the Giants will be hoping that smile is a mile wide by the end of this season!