The balls in his court.

The only slight issue I had with the old top 5 format was whether finishing third was preferable in reality to finishing lower. Away to the team finishing second in week one (QPO) but with a safety net firmly tucked away in the back pocket for the following week (ESF) if defeated. It appeared to catch out Halifax in '98 and Leeds in '99 to some extent but there again if you lose at home in a sudden death play-off game you deserve to be done for the year.

I think it is - the chance to play against a team one place above you which if won would earn you the chance to have a bye or a second chance to me is a massive advantage to going into sudden death rugby.

My concern would be the first place team who could potentially only play once in effectively 4 weeks before the Grand Final while other teams built a bit of momentum

1998 - Bradford - Week 1 exit (EPO)

1999 - Castleford - Week 3 exit (FE)

2000 - Castleford - Week 1 exit (EPO)

2001 - Leeds - Week 1 exit (EPO)



Perhaps in theory but did it pass the reality test?

1998 - Halifax - Week 2 exit (ESF)

1999 - Leeds - Week 2 exit (ESF)

2000 - Bradford - Week 3 exit (FE)

2001 - Hull - Week 2 exit (ESF)

Remembering the team finishing the Regular Rounds in 3rd were guaranteed to reach a minimum of week 2 that's not a great record at reaching their top 3 seeding in the Play-Offs.



That can cut both ways. Rest V being battle hardened. The losing club will usually point out how they were disadvantaged by their journey to the final regardless of route they had followed.

Wow have just come back from the pub having drank several pints of Sam smiths fine ales and seen all these configurations.
It's all a bit complicated for me, might have to go back to the pub to clear my mind.

There's some poor teams in there!

I still can't believe we lost than game to Cas either - it probably won Vowles the Man of Steel award as well, which when viewed as a best player award was a travesty.