I think the 5 team format worked really well. Sadly, when promotion and relegation went, it had to go as there were just too many meaningless matches in the last quarter of the season.

I still think, therefore, that the top 8 system is a symptom of a league structure which needs two (or at least one and a half) competitive tiers but barely has one. Fix the real problem, then we can fix the symptom.

The Grand Final is the best event on the calendar now IMO (much as I love the carnival atmosphere of the CC final, it lacks the intensity of the GF) and I wouldn't want to go back to first-past-the-post for all the tea in China. Where I gather they have a lot of tea.

Agree with this 100%.

I really don't see the issue.

Funny Les. Very funny.

Only joking old bean. I hadn't realised that I'd disagreed with you in the past.

Top 5 play off
Week one 2 v 5 and 3 v 4. League Leaders get week off. Lowest ranked loser out
Week two League Leaders get to pick opponent for semi final
Week three Grand Final

Intensify play offs, reward LLS, keep clubcall gimmick for RFL

Well done for taking a sentence out of context, as I specifically noted how just last year I was happy Leeds won from 5th, while also noting that the system was not the best. The hypocrisy does not stem from that feeling, but from those (And I never included you in that) who last year complained endlessly how Leeds didn't deserve to be Champions as they didn't finish near the Top of the table, yet this year are saying how Wigan are worthy champions. You're a hypocrite if, last year, you didn't believe Leeds were the Champions, but this year you believe Wigan are.

And yes, I have no problems in calling Wigan the Champions of 2013, just as I had no issue calling Leeds it last year.




I also didn't 'slag Wigan fans off' in the slightest, or, if you think I did, you are incredibly over-sensitive. In fact, I specifically mentioned how the SENSIBLE Wigan fans had joined this debate - if you think calling someone sensible is slagging them off, that's really your problem.

Only about 4 times this year mate
If we all agreed on everything on here it would be a very boring place.
Don`t you agree?

I disagree.

Uh-oh. Busted.

Apologies for the crossed lines. Not sure how many fans ARE being hypocritical. You are right it would be hypocrisy if having refused to recognise Leeds success last year, Wiganers were claiming their own in similar circumstances. I haven't seen any posts that are claiming that.

I suppose that in a sense Leeds fans have to recognise Wigan as Champs because not to do so would negate your own success.

My consistent line on this is that the playoffs should reward 1st place just as they used to do. The 8 team format introduces a randomness to the outcome that makes the regular season meaningless.

I think many of us agree with that.

Of course it doesn't diminish in any way my joy at beating Warrington, especially when so many "experts" got it wrong.

Credit to Bradford Dulls as the first team to win the GF in this way. Remember the dreadful season they had up to the point when they strung a winning streak together to make it to 3rd, then carried the form all the way through to winning the GF? (Can't remember who they beat though...). Peacock was magnificent as their captain. Wonder what became of him...

He was a great second row. Would be wasted at prop though

Yeah, I remember people making comments about how second rowers would never make 'bona fide' props

Wherever he ends up, his future will surely be at centre or stand-off.