If it's going to be played, then back at Cardiff is the option, IMO. In a better location for the fans, a roof so the weather doesn't wreck the pitch for the later games (as much) and also generally seems to be the more poprular ground, therefore increasing the attendance.

However, i agree with St Pete, do we need a magic weekend? Play everyone home and away, and then that decides the league, and that team should also be Champions, IMO. It's not to be, and the RFL are obsessed with making money hence the Magic weekend, and the play-off system. I'd have the play-offs as a separate competition if they insist on having it.

I personally don't want one, 26 games... H and A against everyone is fair
It's not fair some sides get to play others a 3rd time who could be deemed as easy beats...

You only have to look at Warrington this time around, they are sitting 2nd in the league, yet got to play Salford who are down near the bottom, all because Warrington had a poor season last year. This was an easy 2 points for Warrington, due to them being worse last season.

That's what I was directing toward just wasn't naming names...

An easy win and a substantial points difference increase

Again, it's unfair on other sides

I guarantee there was not 26,642 fans in that stadium at any one given point in time.

As I posted before it's a complete waste of time and unfair how the fixtures come about.

I love a good weekend away with mates on booze but il never go to any magic weekend as it's a money making thing for the rfl and it rips the fans off. Why should fans drive to Scotland to watch there team?

As far as I'm aware, the matches played at Murrayfield this year were drawn from a hat !

Even if that's true, I still think it's a load of $hit!

IIRC it was

Top 8 in one hat
Bottom 6 in one hat

So a Top 8 team plays another Top 8 team and a Bottom 6 side plays another Bottom 6 side

Crusaders (14) v Bradford (9)
Hull FC (12) v Harlequins (11)
Salford (13) v Warrington (10)
Leeds (1) v Wakefield (5)

Castleford (7) v Catalan (icon_cool.gif
Huddersfield (3) v Wigan (6)
St.Helens (2) v Hull KR (4)

Basically, wires have been rewarded for inconsistency.

The league positions this year could very well be decided on points difference.

I enjoyed the weekend in Cardiff, and with the games being the derbys it made it more of an event, as a sport we can't afford to just play home and away, we need events like these to generate cash to fund the grassroots of the game.

Many's the time I've watch Tommy Copper and Paul Daniels pull things from hats, albeit I saw it with my own eyes, I still can't believe its true

I would scrap it and the sooner the better. If they want to promote the game and give it some credibility to the international game then have a Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England affair.
Each year at a different venue, Murrayfield, Dublin, Cardiff and Leeds, we might actually get some interest from non heartland supporters who are willing to watch the game because of its national value.

For me the "magic/wacky" weekend has run its course the novelty value has wore off, its more or less being exploited by the local buisnesses in the area.
Its a "heads you lose tails you lose", with the pathetic figure of 26000 fans. For example if there were say 5000 locals watching the game then its a flop for heartland supporters, if there were say less than 1000 locals watching the game then its a flop for the expansionists of the game.

We did a sample last year and found that the club fans who don,t get the opportunity to see there club reach the challenge cup or grand final are more inclined to vote for the magic weekend.
Whilst the supporters of the more successful clubs just see it fom a novelty point of view.

Well done for stating the bleeding obvious !

I'm not surprised. We got on the ground at half time in the opening game and stayed until the end of the Leeds game. I had a rugby shirt on, hoodie, winter coat and a scarf and was still freezing ! The final fixture aside the games were all a bit one sided to be exciting too. I don't blame most fans watching their own game and then getting off to the pub. £ 4 for a drink in Murrayfield too and big £ for food.

Its nice and sunny this morning hopefully a degree or two warmer in the stadium !!

I think we all know it will be the last MM

would it be better to have 1st v 2nd 3rd v 4th etc as of a couple of weeks before the event, therefore ensuring that we have 7 close games?