Hello, I am looking into writing a book about the idea of play-offs deciding the Champions in sport. I was wondering what the opinions are of fellow Rugby League fans on the play-offs. Do you think play-offs are the best way to decide the champions or do you prefer whoever finishes top being champions? And what do you think of the current format?
Personally I think play-offs are a great concept, sport is about peaking on the big occasion and beating your biggest rivals head to head when it matters.

The Play-Offs are without doubt the best thing to happen to Rugby League.

Who could forget special moments like Chris Joynt scoring in injury time against the Bradford Bulls 10 years ago??? Our even last Saturday Keiron Cunningham's last ditch effort to secure second for a home tie in the Play-Offs. Sean Long's last minute Drop Goal against the Bradford Bulls in 2002??? Thats going by my clubs achievements in the play offs but I am sure every Super League Club who have won the play offs have there own special moments.

The only thing I have against the play offs is there are too many teams in it imo. It really should be the top 6 and scrap the Club Call. Allthou very improbable or impossible maybe that the team finishing 8th on the ladder could become Champions??? That isnt right when they have finished below half way in Super League.

This is a veyr difficult question. The playoffs are without doubt very exciting and a great end to the season, but I don't think the team that finished 8th should be given a chance to win the whole competition. Crusaders finished in the bottom half of the table having won 12 and lost 15 and with a negative points difference of nearly 200. There is no logic to giving them a chance to win the biggest prize. And I don't think the playoffs should be as important as finishing top. The hub cap is by far the hardest trophy to win yet it's the one nobody gives a toss about, fuelled largely by Sky I think. On the other hand if the hub cap became the biggest prize then the playoffs would revert to being a mildly interesting post season afterthought like it used to be.

Overall if we're going to have playoffs I think we should go back to the 5 team format of the 1st playoff.

I totally agree there should be more of a reward for finishing top as you have been the best team in the league for 27 rounds.

Definately yes, but with the top 5 system.

The top 5 was a simple layout, meant there was minimum mid-table mediocrity, and was still skewed largely in the top team's favour.

The top 8 cheapens the idea, if you ask me. Only brought in for more games from a money perspective.

what he said

The Play Offs are a great idea BUT I do think the way it's worked is totally wrong.

the fact that we could play wire twice at home within 3 weeks and the same for wigan and leeds suggests a flaw somewhere.back to the top 5 and its a good idea

That is ridiculous really when you think about it.