Only 3 times have teams finishing top lost the first game and go on to win the Grand final. Out of 14 play series. 2 of those were under the format weighted heavier in favour of the top team. (saints 2002, leeds 2004 and wigan 2010).

Its a bit early to be writing Huddersfield off, but it doesn't look good for them does it

Well the format may not please everyone but it certainly keeps people guessing! I personally don't see any benefit in having a week off unless it's before any involvement (ie let the rabble bash it out in the first week then introduce the top 2). For Wigan to produce such a good performance after so many average ones, I doubt they'll be entirely chuffed at having to wait 2 weeks before they play again. Leeds also seem to thrive on do or die rugby so I won't be too downbeat if we lose tomorrow.

I don't think the week off is a big problem when it's not before the final. If leeds win this week they'll get a home tie with choice of opponent before the final. Yes the odious club call. But think about it, we'll either be picking warrington, a team we have just beaten away from home, or the lower ranked team which has knocked hudds/warrington out.

I don't buy this whole thing about whoever loses this week has the best chance. Whoever wins this week puts themselves in a very strong position to make the grand final. With a home game and club call. I'm not sure where this whole week off is harmful to leeds has come from. On the contrary. I think a week off will do us quite nicely, at this stage.

if we lose our next game is no gimme.

The numbers don't agree with you.

In the three years since the 8-team format came in, only two out of the six winners in Week One who have then had Week Two off have been successful in Week 3 and made the Grand Final.

Is there any common theme with those that haven't, such as being knocked out by us perhaps?

The numbers also dont provide a large enough sample size to draw any significant conclusions.

Is the right answer.

We're making informed(ish) qualitative judgements. We should avoid confusing them with statistical evidence. Otherwise we'll all turn into Phil Clarke. And he's an idiot. Marginmeter my hairy a**e.

Wonder how the numbers look when also taking into account previous playoff formats. Still personally don't see any massive benefit in having a week off. Ultimately - as we keep proving - the best team will win regardless of any perceived advantages be it weeks off, home advantage etc

Probably there are pros and cons either way. In which case it's a question of making the situation you find yourself in work for you.

We've accounted for 2 of them, and it's actually 4 out of 8, not 2 out of 6.

But the number of teams who have lost, often very heavily, in the play offs and then come back to win the final is rather larger:
Saints 1999
Saints 2002
Leeds 2004
Leeds 2007
Leeds 2008
Wigan 2010

So a defeat isn't a complete disaster by any means. But you need to have a fair amount of balls (or luck, like Wigan 2010) to come back from it.

Can I change my vote please?

I haven't voted yet.

Should I vote for Saints?