With Leigh looking increasingly likely to make an automatic promotion spot let alone the million pound game, they will surely be championed as living proof that the system works.
I can't then see the rfl choosing to change. But Leigh have only outspent all others to get where they are.
My question being if the rfl keep the 8's structure does anyone think we will make it back to super league without a rich backer?

No.

Not a chance. Leigh have spent the cash on quality players. It was a gamble, but it's paid off.

Not unless an SL side implodes or a freak result in MPG (which the SL sides are doing their best to do the last 2 seasons)

Fair play to Leigh though. Least they've shown some ambition. Far too many SL clubs have pondered along and brought very little to the comp.

With Leigh going up I think it will boost our chances of finishing top next year (which will increase the very small chance of promotion)

Salford will be finished. They will get 3 figure crowds and Koukash will walk. Hull KR I don't think are totally secure with two directors resigning this week.

Now does anyone remember the Salford fan TwistedMelonMan creating a thread laughing at us when we went in the shield. Wonder where he is now...

In fact, that shows that the system isn't working as the only way a Championship team has been able to compete is by spending over the odds.

With Leigh as good as promoted with a win against Batley could we now be looking at two SL teams in the £1m game.

The words "totally impossible" and "promotion" must never be used in the same sentence again.
I know it hasn't happened yet but today has shown it is possible if a good championship plays well against a poor SL team.
No more lectures about this system not working as it is turning out to be an intriguing competition. If only there was a second team in the championship playing as well as Leigh.
Wakey were lucky last year as they came up against a disjointed Bulls. They were there to be taken.

Having said that, I still think auto promotion is better and hope this system is dropped - but I am hoping it is Hudds and KR in the £1m game just so a handful of Bulls players are shi**ing themselves as they may still be in the championship and at least two definitely will be. Would they still want to leave us then? I wouldn't be able to watch that game because of the tears of laughter running down my face.
next year both leagues can spend the same if you have a rich owner.
Come on Leigh and beat Hudds next Saturday.

Predicted they would beat hull kr and good on Em for doing so, looks like a top 3 spot for them.

But on the flip side of they hadn't won I think Leigh might have been in some trouble especially as theyve spent alot of money on their squad, also helps that Salford seem to have given up and accepted the fall, but agree with others if Salford drop I can see the Dr pulling the plug and I think Salford would be in a bad way without a person or group wanted to take them on.

If salford tank might be us and Toulouse if they come up and if they have plenty to spend on the squad, fighting for the top 2 but can't count out batley Feb and Halifax still be difficult next year, so I can't see anyone going up proper with a bing spend in board.

Any mistakes are down to me being on my phone.

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Who are you thinking will be prompted in top 3? I think it's purely to be kr v Salford or london depending upon if hudd's beat Leigh or not, I think Leeds, hudds and Leigh will be top 3 and kr will get the home match in the mpg "

Having said that, I still think auto promotion is better and hope this system is dropped - but I am hoping it is Hudds and KR in the £1m game just so a handful of Bulls players are shi**ing themselves as they may still be in the championship and at least two definitely will be. Would they still want to leave us then? I wouldn't be able to watch that game because of the tears of laughter running down my face.
next year both leagues can spend the same if you have a rich owner.
Come on Leigh and beat Hudds next Saturday.'"

Massive result for Leigh today, and they deserved the win too. HKR were terrible.
It was also a huge call by HKR to suspend their best player for such a key game. Credit to them for sticking to their principals I suppose, but it could be a costly disciplinary decision if they end up in the mpg (or worse).

I can't wait to see what happens in a few weeks time when two SL sides battle it out in the mpg, and the inevitable chaos that will ensue when one of them goes down.

The interesting thing is that if we had not had to play Leigh 3 times this season we may still have qualified and given that the aggregate score of said games was very small there should be some players at Odsal hanging their heads. But if you think about it those players are busy lining up contracts elsewhere, the coach is at Leeds, RHP and Ferres have both left. The only ones left are us mug punters and the poor sap paying the bills.

Broadybull87 - I tend to agree with your three of Leeds, Hudds and Leigh in top three with Salford at home to KR or London.

A couple of weeks ago when some people were stating it is impossible I gave the example of KR losing their stand off for the season and if they lost the scrum half they would be vulnerable. I was thinking of injury so what a big decision by KR to suspend him. KR were awful today. If Leigh had Chisholm and Moss today they would have walked it.

I have just looked at KRs last three games and they could very easily lose two of them if they perform like that and they would not even make the £1m game with 4 points. It could possibly be Salford Vs London. Salford should win that easily but who knows? Two SL teams relegated - but I am possibly dreaming there a bit.

Let's all email John Kear and ask him to send his first team on holiday when they play Leigh so Leigh finally get the promotion they deserve. Hopefully, Batley will be out of it and also want a SL team to come down.

If either Salford or KR come down and lose nearly £1m in central funding I suspect that team will be borrowing our scissors so they can learn to cut their cloth accordingly - or go bust. Koukash is walking apparently and KR are in trouble so they will both be worried.

If only we had got Smith at the start of the season it could have been so much better right now.

Really hope Leigh beat Hudds next week. I am really pleased for them as they have been too good for the Championship this last few years. They look to have learned from last years middle 8 experience and Jukes seems to have them playing a more sensible brand of rugby.

Like others have mentioned already, I am more intrigued by the chaos that will ensue if/when Leigh have pretty much confirmed their promotion. Hull KR and Salford must be really worried now as they are the two most at risk in my opinion. Hudds just seem to have that bit of extra class and I think they'll be safe.

Assuming we get our financial situation sorted (which you would assume is happening given we are announcing new signings) it would be nice for the negative attention to be on someone else for once. How the relegated team recruits and adapts to life in the championship is going to be big news and they will be the big name that all the teams want to raise their game for and beat. It'd be nice if we could just have a year of quietly going about our business.

Do you think things like this get discussed between the players at training? Will Addy and Clark be walking in to a barrage of jokes/stick at the game tomorrow or training on Monday? Surely it must be a concern for them knowing that they have potentially left Bradford to play Super League but may potentially be in a worse position?

Interesting times!

Whoever comes down will just have to cut their cloth etc etc etc.

Forgive me for not having any sympathy but screw em.

To (mis)quote Kevin Keegan 'I'd LOVE it... if Hull KR get relegated'

Already looking forward to the reception that Addy and Clark would get when they come back to Odsal

I'd prefer it if it was Gaskell, Clough and Ferguson coming back with Huddersfield, but I think they'll probably just about avoid it.

TBH don't think there would be any ill will towards addy and Clark if they came back for hull kr. Think that would be reserved for Gaskell and clough if rumours about them refusing to play are true. Although I think hudds should be safe and avoid mpg.