And yet they've lost to all 3 of those sides in the Super8s and at least once, maybe twice to them in the first 23 rounds.

But yeah.... the format.

But yeah - Hull were always going to be playing in SL next season regardless of losing all 7 games - the same cannot be said of Leeds. Champions to middle 8's or CC winners to top 8. The only person who doesn't see the former as a bigger fall than the latter is you - you really are a bonehead.

So, its the final week of the middle 8s.
Who is going to be in MPG

Salford, HKR, Toulouse, Toronto or London

For starters, lets hope Toulouse beat Salford tomorrow

That would make my week, would love to go to Headingley on Friday without any niggling doubts and I'm sure the players would too.

The 10 metres is a problem, particularly in a league where many defenders are less quick and possibly less fit than their aussie counterparts. Drop the gap to 7 and the defence would have time to get set, meaning the potential drawbacks for withdrawing from the ruck quickly would be fewer. There'd also be less scooting and (hopefully) better attacking. This idea isn't mine: Mal Reilly mentioned it in a recent interview.

Toulouse by 2, Leeds by 26, London by 46 and Widnes by 2.

London in the automatic promotion spot with Toulouse v HKR in the MPG... here’s hoping.

The size of the fall was never the question. Ask Hull fans if they feel like 2018 has been somewhat calamitous for the club and I'm sure 99.999% will say yes.

It's a very weak minded person who can't admit when they're wrong Sal, choosing instead to dig in and go full Trump.
You never cease to amaze in that regard.

This discussion started because as usual you tried to be a smart and suggest that because Hull had had a bad season that somehow made the embarrassing season Leeds have had somewhat less embarrassing. I merely pointed out you cannot compare the two - something you have now admitted to be correct.

I cannot understand why you have kept digging - but then when you are as stubborn as you are then therein lies the answer

And another one disappears up the same a-hole!

Congratulations Hull FC on only losing 14 of their final 16 games of 2018, thus avoiding having a truly calamitous season.

No, it started when you posted this nugget...



And I called you out on it. That you dug in and have doubled down it every week since then, as Hull kept losing week after week, just proves my point.

Enjoy the off season Sal. The break will do you good.

I stand by that - Hull made the top 8 - even their coach has said the players had nothing to play for after the split. Despite not having either of the half backs available virtually the whole season plus significant long-term injuries to key personnel they managed to make the top 8 and secure SL status for 2019.

Leeds on the other hand didn't make the 8 and have been visiting the likes of Halifax and London. Yesterday they lost for the first time in 38 years to a club that started the season in a lower division. Many on here are saying this is the worst team in the modern era.

Only you thinks the two things are equally calamitous

- you have been seldom seen on here this season because even you cannot defend the indefensible so the only thing you can do is use Hull as a deflection from the atrocious season Leeds have had.

No doubt we will see you again in 2020 when Leeds start winning again in a regular basis - perhaps by then your fascination with trying to bait me will have waned

adios Loiner

Wonder how you'd feel if Leeds were top 4 contenders (they were) before losing some key players to injury (like Leeds) and going on a 14 losses out of 16 game run (or 12 losses in Leeds' case) and blaming "the system" for them having nothing to play for? Dress it up how you like Sal, they've had a disaster of a season and it's nothing to do with the Super 8s, since 9 of those 16 games were played before the 8s even began.

That's my final post of 2018. If this forum makes it through the off season I'll see you in 2019.

All the best, Merry Xmas and all that.

So is London going to win in Toronto on Sunday ?
Is Bradford going to lose to Workington and have to play again against the Championship bottom club Swinton Lions?

You didn’t do very well there then did you?

Can’t say he didn’t stick his neck out though...

Pah, don't even come close to the 1996 Leeds team

Quote ="Omar Little"Pah, don't even come close to the 1996 Leeds team '" The 1996 squad was probably worse than 2016, but I'm not sure about the team that played in the Middle 8s this year. I think this was genuinely our worst team I've seen in my lifetime. If you don't believe me, look at the team we had from 1996. Some of the players left or were injured for large parts of the season, but hey, that's true of 2018 too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Leeds_RLFC_season The likes of Barrie McDermott, Harvey Howard, Adrian Morley, Mike Forshaw, Nick Fozzard and Terry Newton (all squad regulars with lots of appearances) would demolish our current pack. Even Mick Shaw would give Brad Dwyer and Parcell a run for their money... Okay, not many of those names lived up to the reputations they would go on to develop, but that team is light years better than what we have this year. The less said about Carl Hall et al the better...

Quote ="Omar Little"Pah, don't even come close to the 1996 Leeds team '" The 1996 squad was probably worse than 2016, but I'm not sure about the team that played in the Middle 8s this year. I think this was genuinely our worst team I've seen in my lifetime. If you don't believe me, look at the team we had from 1996. Some of the players left or were injured for large parts of the season, but hey, that's true of 2018 too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Leeds_RLFC_season The likes of Barrie McDermott, Harvey Howard, Adrian Morley, Mike Forshaw, Nick Fozzard and Terry Newton (all squad regulars with lots of appearances) would demolish our current pack. Even Mick Shaw would give Brad Dwyer and Parcell a run for their money... Okay, not many of those names lived up to the reputations they would go on to develop, but that team is light years better than what we have this year. The less said about Carl Hall et al the better...

Well done London, and Danny Ward!
Toronto are a typical Paul Rowley team, the the guy has no idea how to pace a season, Toronto have been poor throughout the 8s,similar to Leigh a few years ago.

Mind you, both teams would need at least 10 new players to avoid relegation next season.

Great win for London. Good to have them back in super League again. Its a shame the Toronto couldn't come up, as their investment and rise has been one of the few good news stories about RL in recent times. Hopefully another season in the championship will prove their mettle and they can make it next season and be stronger for it.

Toronto will go the same way as Crusaders did.
That "pitch" is a joke.
As for London i hope they have a better ground lined up the 2nd tier RU club Ealing.

Toronto, or as SKY said last night Torono to second T is silent, just like their performance. Expect them to fold next season after failing to BUY there way into Super League. I think Wigan, St Helens & Warrington chairman will be crying in their beer now that have lost a free trip to Canada next year.

I found myself cheering for London and chuffed they’re back in SL, Ive said before I really want to like Toronto but because of a somewhat misplaced arrogance and their style of play I just cant seem to warm to them. How bad is mcrone, horrible player.

Was it McRone that was binned/sent off in the challenge cup game against Wire last year? Had a mare, what that chip over was all about is lost on me...

Toronto= Leigh circa 2013. I hope they come up (mainly cos I fancy a trip to Canada...) but couldn't help but be over the moon for Danny Ward listening to the post match interviews. They were brilliant last night and fully deserved the win.

Any idea if Trailfinders is up to scratch for SL?

And the conundrum being where at this stage do those 10 players of suitable quality come from - doubt they've even planned much for this as I'm not sure they expected to be in this position