Well.... What a surprise! When faced with a team who don't crumble after 15 mins of pressure, Hudds begin to panic and fall to pieces. They can't live with the top teams when it comes to close, high intensity games. They're used to racking up big scores against the Salfords, Wakeys and regular season Leeds with a start like that.

Danny Brough returned to his usual rabbit in the headlights, head shaking, 'everyone else's fault' that always happens when he's up against a good, organised and fired up defence. He's not got the temperament for good, hard, close games, where his forwards aren't completely dominent.

It is bollox but its a shame it has become bollox. We need some way of incentivising 1st place more. Perhaps like Brian Carney said, give 1st place after the regular rounds the place in the world club challenge.
Whilst we have to accept the situation is what it is, its much easier to be the best team over 3-5 games than it is over 20 odd.

It comes as no surprise to me, but i'd be wary of writing them off completely just yet.

Can you imagine if we sent Huddersfield to play an NRL side?

SuperLeague really would be the laughing stock.

So tonight's result throws up a new scenario for the total farce that is ClubCall... we win on Saturday and we get the 'honour' of course.

And then we would quite possibly be in the position of having to choose between the sides that finished 1st and 2nd

Is it? If so, why have only Wigan stopped Leeds taking the easy option in the last six years?

If it's that Easy I assume the Giants will do it then?

You looked like a champion team tonight. Guffaw.

You sound like you're getting excuses for your inevitable playoff failures in early.

Please please keep this up for the next 3 weeks.

This is probably going to be the new playoff moan of some if Hudds cant recover to reach the GF.

But its rubbish,

Back in the old playoff system 1st place had to face their nearest rivals in 2nd at home and then probably 3rd if they didn't come through the first game.
The last two years the team in first has been asked to beat the teams finishing 4th and 5th at home......not a hard task if they truely are champion teams.

Tonight just proved what I've said all along after hearing so much about 4th being the worst spot.

Its the teams not the format!

Come off it.the giants had a weekend off last weekend in prep. for tonight knowing exactly what was at stake.they choked against a wigan team who did no more than play the conditions and defend well.the real contenders for the title play the regular season with the respect it deserves under its current guise,thats just how it is.this is when the season begins for real and the giants have come up with a massive fail.

Careful!

Under this awful structure/format, the season doesn't really kick off until the week after next.

Yes, as has been proven in the last 2 years when the loser of the 1st vs 4th game has made a triumphant return in week 2..............oh wait.

I realise you are from South Leeds but what other outcomes would you expect when both of those 4th placed teams were whipping boy SL rabble clubs?

How can you be champions when everyone knows at the start knows first doesn't = champions?

STFU you chocking uppity pretenders.

It's as relevant as saying, well actually 6th = champions, so yay well done hull fc you are champions.

All we've heard all season is about your precious regular season results, about how you've beaten this team, and that team. We've tried to tell you the playoffs are a different kettle of fish but you simply wouldn't have it. Believing those teams played at their title contending best.

Well are you listening now?

Anderson messed up playing a weakened team last week. Form is very easy to lose, and much harder to gain or keep. Doug Laughton did the very same before CC finals and 'resting' big names was as stupid then as it is now.

We should also remember though that Leeds lost their first playoff game several times in the years when we could afford to.