I don't see how it's that much different. We've nibbled away at the edges of this problem - but unless Saints, Wigan & Leeds (at the very least) suffer a catastrophic number of injuries all three know they will be there at the end of the season.

We can fiddle about with the structure of the competition all we like - until we address the root cause of the problem (the top teams' clear leverage in money and resources) not much is likely to change.

Whilst I agree that the usual suspects are very likely to be there or thereabouts as per usual, each game does matter more now. Leeds, for example, can't afford to finish the season 5th as they have done in the past. The less points you gain now leaves you a harder time come the Super 8 (Is it still called that?) stage when you don't have the luxury of playing cellar dwellers to gain easier points come the back end of the year, and the further back you are then, the less likely it is that you'll be getting that top 4 spot.

It's an improvement. Although I can't say I was all that bothered about Leeds winning it from fifth. Since SL has made practically no effort whatsoever to enhance the title of "League Winners" should anyone be all that concerned?

Personally I wish we'd go down the NRL route (which it lifted directly from US sports) and really make a big fuss over winning the league competition. It's something to be proud of - not a twisted joke which the "hub cap" has assumed.

Either way - the problem is insignificant next to the gulf in advantages which the top teams not just enjoy but protect fiercely. This is why I'm so against guys like Koukash who don't want to do any of the hard work setting up the complex structures and staffing for a productive junior grade and would rather cheat the system by buying whatever talent he likes.

I mean, in SL it's always one step forward, one in reverse. We make small concessions on the structure of the league yielding making it (marginally) more competitive - and then we toss it all away with "Marquee Allowances".

It's not necessarily "money" which is the problem, but the inevitable imbalances of such which always function as a destabilising influence on the sport.

Sometimes I wonder whether it might be better to transfer all gate receipts to SL for equal re-distribution. There'd be a ton of complications that would need to be worked out (such as running costs, investor rights, existing arrangements with landlords, tenants etc.) But nothing's impossible. And it would undoubtedly be a more equitable situation than the current fiasco.

The NRL doesn't big up being top of the table at all. Nobody cares as soon as the Finals Start. What is more important is getting to the Finals in the first place - probably because the league as a whole is more competitive, particularly round the middle of the table.

Can't help but think of we grab that late try rather than Catalans everyone is congratulating the side on a good win in tough conditions. The views on here are so polarised by the scoreboard.

We're not far off. Injuries played a part again with an on fire Turner leaving the field (Jordan haters notably ignoring his performance) and Walsh a passenger.

Still think we'll win the GF.

We can argue about how seriously Australia takes winning the league format - the point is: it's more seriously than here.

I would partially agree with you.
Watching the match live at the stadium, we looked awful with lots of unnecessary penalties, Richards in particular was getting a lot of stick from the fans. We never looked like scoring at the end, but neither did the Cats.
Watching it on Sky when we got back, I thought we didn't look far off against a Cats team making not many errors, so I've tempered my criticism somewhat.

I still think that Richards looks a liability at the moment and I think its through over confidence not under confidence. He had a big smirk on his face leaving the ground for some reason.

I actually thought that going forward, Richards was having his best game.

Well said bud.