If any team is looking at their first two play off games as one easy one, and one against a beat up side. Its likely they wont even play the 2nd one, never mind win it.

Who said their week one opponent would be easy?

easy/easier no real difference in this context.

You need to play to your best to win. I dont think we could go up against either of the Hull teams, or Les Catalans, or Saints, or any team in the bottom half of the draw thinking it was 'easier'. All would be capable of putting one over us.

Agreed, and if Saints finish 5th (and they appear most likely) they'll be very dangerous from there. Wouldn't fancy them at home in Week 2 after enduring a beaten-up loss in Week 1.

I wouldn't take Saints lightly in Week 2 if they finished 6th, 7th or 8th either....

I'd still take 4th and the extra life and home advantae if you do have to play in week 2 over 5th given the choice. I think 4th is pretty much done and dusted though.

Discussion about finishing positions is moot. Had any team other than Leedw won it from 5th there might be some merit in discussion. The games are played by players, on a pitch. It is all about who performs on the day and has little or nothing to do with where either team finished on a league ladder. Invariably, during the last ten years, it has been Leeds that have performed regardless of their league placing.

I would suggest playing a lower ranked team at home would be an easier assignment than playing a higher ranked team away. No one said either game would be easy.



That would certainly help but may not be altogether necessary. By the same token you could play at your level best and still lose.



Indeed they would but on paper they would be easier games than facing them away let alone facing one of Huddersfield, Wigan or Warrington away in their place.

No play-off game should be 'easy' which is why I wouldn't use the word in this context.

Is it June again?

Fortunately, this mediocrity-rewarding play-off system is getting ditched.

And not before time.

jeff it's also very noticeable that this seasons eventual nrl grand final winners imo the melbourne storm are also abusing the play off system and are currently t055ing it off in 4th place

i don't think they fancy the J. J. Giltinan Shield this year and who can blame them

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