Of course I will, because they will BE champions. It cannot be argued either way. The team that wins the Grand Final ARE the Champions. This is fact. END OF.

Do you think the Australians hold such an obsession about where their champions finish the season?

I personally hope a team from 8th wins it. I'd like every team that enters the playoffs to do so with the goal if winning it and not just making up the numbers. I'd like the playoffs to become an intense competition in their own right rather than just a formality to whittle down the numbers to the top two playing each other in the Grand Final.

It's perfectly fair as was the old first past the post system, as was the even older top sixteen play-off system, as was whatever preceded that system just so long as before a ball is kicked in any given year the rules for becoming Champions are left unaltered for the duration of the campaign.

The League Leaders Shield is worth something to some - me included - but no doubt means little to some others but although I rate it as a worthwhile achievement it still doesn't greatly devalue the ultimate title of Champions as decided via the Play-Offs.



A number of the ones they failed to perform well in and no the fans cannot have their money back - in any circumstance as that would be to admit to failings - which will never happen.

Like I said "better" is subjective but if you want my opinion it was us because Champions is a bigger prize than Cup Winners.

I get you. Well argued. But it's not "end of" is it? It is in Football Cos Man U beat everyone else but in RL it's still open to debate WHO THE BEST TEAM ARE not who the Champions are.

I watch every Wigan game home and away, love Rugby League (came over for the WCC) and winning and losing means something to me.

Do you even bother going to the game? It sounds like you aren't much bothered about Leeds form during the season one way or the other. Maybe that's why attendances are down all over the country, nobody is bothered any more. Apart from the playoffs and GF. Actually have you seen the attendances at the playoffs? So it's just the GF then.

I have been a season ticket holder for several years. Our home displays under McDermott have troubled me and I have complained about them. It annoys me when we lose 9though not as much as it used to) and I enjoy it when we win. I think I'd probably prefer in order
1. A decent game with a Leeds win
2. A decent game
3. A Leeds win

However none of that has devalued either championship won. Like I said, I found 2011 (from fifth) very satisfying.

That said, I started watching Leeds regularly in the 1980s so these last two fifth place finishes have some perspective for me.

Sounds a bit risky to me. Planning to peak for one match in the season. So Leeds weren't at their peak in the Challenge Cup final then? That was just a warm up for the Playoffs?

Just on a side issue do you think Sir Kev is planning to peak for the GF or the World Cup? Hope he doesn't get it wrong. Too much peaking in one season could play havoc with your plans.

The golden boot winner and world's best player peaks when he wants.

Finally I think we agree!!! I remember watching Wigan in the second division and you certainly appreciate the good times!

Of course winning from fifth is satisfying. But I would argue that your previous wins were more deserved. When we won from first in 2010 I knew we deserved it, no arguments. I couldn't stomach a team winning it from eighth. It makes RL look foolish.

Enough about Cameron Smith, what about Sir Kev?

2010 Wigan won from 1st,but if not for Leeds horrendous injuries all season they would have walked SL .That is my honest opinion.Wigan were fortunate that year

No it makes the RFL, pampering to the Sky broadcast requirements and inventing more convoluted play-off rules and opportunities to televise more games for the sole rights fee, look foolish.

Agreed.

Completely.

And I suppose - "end of"!!!!

The only poeple who would look foolish would be the ones in the 7 other playoff teams who bottled when it really mattered.

Although I still don't like the system as it is.

Jeez grapes are sour in Leeds, Wigan best team in SL at present by a country mile

Since it's one game apiece this season - and the winning margin was the same each time - I think Wigan's grapes must be heavily fermented.