Yes, Wigan have reached the GF, Saints haven't. Leeds got to within 80mins of the GF, Saints didn't.

Other playoff myths dispelled this year.
- one if not both week 1 Top 4 losers would fall the 2nd week to a 'team with momentum'.
- the 2 teams who had the week off would suffer for it.
- clubcall is a poisoned chalice.

Surprising considering the flawed format guarantees the above to all happen. Why couldn't Hudds (2011) & Catalans (2012) reach the GF from 4th, Wigan have shown it to be possible.

Have Leeds missed out on the GF because of league placing? No, people can over-evaluate the club after last night, but quite straight forward we had too many injuries (does happen in sport apparently), simple as that. A cleaner bill of health and think we'd have reached Old Trafford again, from 3rd, 4th or 5th.

Under this current flawed format

Teams finishing 1st and 2nd have won 18 from 29 fixtures - 62%

Teams finishing 3rd and 4th have won 7 from 22 fixtures - 32%

Teams finishing 5th and 6th have won 16 from 24 fixtures - 67%

Teams finishing 7th and 8th have won 3 from 13 fixtures - 23%

And you can break it down properly.

Out of the 24 5th/6th placed matches....
Vs 7th & 8th - 8 wins from 10 = 80%.....matches they should be expected to win.

Vs higher ranked teams - 8 from 14 = 57%
Ones involving Leeds - 6 from 6 = 100%
Ones not involving Leeds - 2 from 8 = a mere 25%

As somebody who shouted out loud this year that 5th was better than 4th can you tell me what positions Wigan and Manly finished this year to reach their GF's???

It is already broken down properly and highlights why I would rather enter the play-offs from 5th or 6th than 3rd or 4th. I would rather start the Play-Offs with a home match against weaker opponents than be involved in a much tougher encounter away from home.

I can perfectly accept others may take a different view and it is their right to do so. It would appear Leeds have fared much the better following my route than the alternative.

Explained by yourself earlier in that post.