As has been mentioned ‘newcomers’ to RL do not hold the hub cap with much regard.

My question is ‘do the clubs hold the League Leaders Shield in high regard too’?

The Grand Final makes a club champions, coaches of the teams that, at this point in the season, have a play off place nailed on will target, and coach towards getting their charges to the final and NOT focused on the hub cap. This will be a bonus – ask any coach if they’d trade the hub cap for a GF spot and I’ll bet a £pound to a pinch of they would all bite your hand off.

I know how , and where the so-called champions get their title . I have been to the GF (yes I can prove it if anyone is doubting me ). But how can it be fair that a team can win only half(ish) of the regular rounds , then be given the opportunity to get their hands on the top piece of silverware by winning three fixtures after the regular rounds have ended .
If Rhinos , Saints , or the Giants , don't get the title this time round I really do hope it is the team that finishes in 8th spot that gets it . Yes they will be presented with the silverware , and they will be named as champions , but could you genuinely respect them as the true champions ?
I can't , and won't . Just my humble opinion though .

That's something the RFL haven't considered when making the play-offs a top 8.
I think it's rewarding mediocrity and should remain a top 6.

Couldn’t agree more mate – change for changes sake if you ask me.

A team finishing eigth will have to win away at the team finishing 5th.

They will then have to win away at a team finishing in the top four.

They will then have to win away at another team finishing in the top four.

They will then have to win the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

If they do so they will be the Champions because that's what the rules said before the season started.

And the rules are a load of old conkers .

The rules are what governs the sport.

They were in place before the season started and everyone knew them.

How many times as McClennan stated he wants Leeds to perform to their best at the season end. Why would he want that?

Because he is a twonk and does not appreciate how much effort goes in to finishing top of the league obviously .

Yes, I did mention that we always had the "play-offs".

Truth is that the league leaders trophy was a trophy in its own right, and a fekking huge one too, it was a trophy to be contested for and an honour to win rather than a plate that gets given as an afterthought to half a team at the end of one of the last games of the season, half the team having already gone to the dressing rooms - the LLT had esteem which makes it all the more surprising that Stevo does not give it more kudos now, (although you wouldn't expect him to as the RFL only recently introduced the plate).

No,

Because he realises the rules mean that you have to be good at the end of the season when it matters.

Are you really saying that you would prefer us to win a foil plate rather than the SL trophy?

Getting off to a good start with a massive lead works though doesnt it... just ask the team about last year.

Sorry but the ref is Bentham and the VR is Ganson

Saints by plenty tonight, pace round the ruck will hurt Leeds badly, tonight the true loss of Buderus will become very apparent.

Having to play Diskin hasn't hindered us in the past 2 GF's

Pace?! We'll speed up the side drafting Johnny Vegas in if this season is anything to go by....

However, its nice to be the underdogs again

That would be a joke, yes? It may be a Saints by plenty loss, but there is no way I can see this being a Saints by plenty win!!