Quote: Rogues Gallery "If the scenario was as stated that Wigan and Wire lost their opening fixtures against Leeds and Wire then Saints would have the club pick, and would have to pick Wigan or Wire (assuming those two won their second round games).
The games would be played at Saints and Leeds.
I still believe that the top 5 system was the bast of the play off systems, in that it really rewarded a team for finishing top. I'm not sure the current top 8 system does that.'"
It absolutely doesn't I felt that last year when we ended up in second there was no real penalty, 1st and 2nd are rewarded pretty much the same, home games and second chances - the only difference is the highest team gets to pick in week 3 and unless it is a really poor play off year there isn't going to be a great deal of difference between the teams on offer.
Even 3rd and 4th get second chances and then home ties, 8 out of 14 is far too many but by creating that extra week of fixtures its not likely to go away any time soon.