Have to agree with McManus that this really is a gimmick too far. The play off's from now on will be nothing more than a glorified cup competition and I really don't see too much advantage of finishing top.

It's a stupid idea.

I for one hope that Wigan are still in there and the "top team" pick us.

What an incentive that would be for us.

If we are in that position, i wouldn't bet against us picking wigan, financially its the best option as we would be guarenteed 15k+ on the gate.

If Saints finsih top, I fully expect we will pcik the lowest ranked team which would reflect how miffed Mcmanus is with the concept.

I certainly would not expect us to do anything controversial with the pick, just plain old common sense and a lot of 'the system is far from idela, and we reluctantly have chosen the lowest ranked team but they wiull be accorded full respect' type statements from Potter and McManus.

The gate receipts in the playoffs all get pooled together nbd the prize money is then allocated on "finishing places"

Last season for instance Wigan got through to the elimination semi-final v Leeds and lost so for prize money purposes were deemed to have finished third in the competition.

Thats a bit pants, i know we would have had share it with you, but into a pool? I now hope quins dont make the playoff!

Because we would have a much better chance of beating you on home soil. If we have to beat you at some point, surely it makes sense to play you where we feel more comfortable about our chances.

I said I wasnt gonna get into this but!!!!! If we finish first or second we can't pick each other in the final week

i've heard this but i've not seen it anywhere, have you got a link to the relevant bit?

lets just see what the rfl have to say they will make it all clear in good time!!

and all are still a few games back from leeds and saints,

wigan beat leeds last season, and the season before, but in both play off semis were comfortably beaten,

the big games see big performances from the big players, leeds and saints are the biggest and best sides by a fair bit, barring an injury crisis at saints or Leeds it would be a suprise to see anyone but those two in the final

Didn't I read somewhere that EM is going to put the names of the teams in a hat and draw it that way if you finish top rather than 'choosing' someone?