I'm wondering if possibly 4th may be a good option for us anyway. If the table finished as it is now, we would face Huddersfield away. Although they have beaten us quite a few times in the last few years, I would personally prefer them to either Warrington or Wigan away. This is by no means under estimating Huddersfield's potential as yep it could be their year.

I know that BM wouldn't aim for fourth and will put out the best possible teams. However, aiming for fourth we could rest some players and make sure they don't pick up injuries for the play offs and possibly bring them back for Wigan away. BM would then have an idea of what his best play off squad for round one would be and a tough game at Wigan one build them up nicely to round one.

I could be talking bull here but just a thought and wondered what others think about this ?

Melbourne's key players were missing and focused on playing Origin catch-up for QLD this season, hence their poor run of results in June and July.

The NRL regular season always suffers a downturn in terms of intensity and interest as their national media obsession with the Origin season is hyped up to the max. That's a major negative issue for the game over there IMO rather than a positive one. It's indicative of a sport that doesn't give a rats about it's allegedly precious NRL competition or anything else for that matter when it's Origin time.

agree 100% jeff

LOL, strong logic.

Would rather play hudds, don't rate em in knock out football.

By the way how did we get on in the CC, the knock out competition? .......err, hudds thrashed us.

Also by the same logic, we're not up to much, as our most recent knock out game, was that thrashing against hudds.

Your logic is rubbish, as are your chances with Ryan Bailey.

My logic is not rubbish it's backed up by what's actually happened.

Leeds have mastered the play-offs better than any other team, but they also slump in the CC. Fact.

Huddersfield have yet to master any knock-out competitions. Fact.

If Leeds rise again in the play-offs and Huddersfield fade away no-one would be surprised.

I have no malice against Huddersfield, they are running very well. But their biggest hurdle is still to come.

Indeed. The only other team to come close to our achievements in the play-offs in doing it from 5th was when the Bulls did it from 3rd in 2005. That was the last time Bradford had most of their seasoned stars from their successful squad who had been there and done it time and time before (e.g. Hape, Vainikolo, Peacock, Fielden, Pryce etc - much was made of them bringing Morley in but his contribution in the game was not that significant IMO). Having pedigree & collective experience seems to matter more than how teams fare in the regular season - especially if a team is to win the GF from a position below 1st or 2nd.